Richard began his journey to health and wellness in his early 20s living in Israel. He returned to the United States to attend the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Richard graduated with high honors in 1977 and for the next two years working at the college teaching and in the administration as Academic Dean. In 1979 Richard moved to the big island of Hawaii and opened the Hawaii Family Health Clinic. After his work in the clinic, Richard began integrating his experience practicing Naturopathic Medicine into expanded arenas.

Natalie Klausman Young fell in love with Hawaii in 1977 while living in a tent for a month in the wilderness of Kalalau Valley on Kauai. Her passion for the interconnection of people to people and people to nature as embodied by the land and people of Hawaii bought her to live here permanently in 1981. Her childhood was infused with a great love of the outdoors, dance and health. She earned her college degree from Washington University (Sociology/Anthropology and Modern Dance) and her graduate degree from Tulane University (Masters of Social Work).