Staff
Joe Tafur, Executive Director and Co-founder
Joe Tafur, M.D., is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Modern Spirit. He is a Colombian-American family physician originally from Phoenix, Arizona. After completing his family medicine training at UCLA, Dr. Tafur spent two years in academic research at the UCSD Department of Psychiatry in a lab focused on mind-body medicine. After his research fellowship, over a period of six years, he lived and worked in the Peruvian Amazon at the traditional healing center Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual. At Nihue Rao, Dr. Tafur underwent traditional apprenticeship in Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine and Peruvian curanderismo. In his book "The Fellowship of the River: A Medical Doctor's Exploration into Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine," through a series of stories, Dr. Tafur shares his unique experience and integrative medical theories. To learn more about his work visit drjoetafur.com and churchofeagleandcondor.org.
Kewal Wright, Assistant Director
Kewal is the Assistant Director for Modern Spirit. In addition to her work with Modern Spirit, Kewal is a community organizer and writer-researcher located in Phoenix, Arizona. Her work centers around topics of healing, spirituality, sexuality, psychedelics, and mental health. Kewal completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at Arizona State University. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Kewal draws upon studies in feminist theory, sexuality, family and human development, counseling and psychology, and a career in wellness and healing fields. Throughout her career life, she has owned and directed multiple yoga centers, managed non-profit organizations and community programs, worked in midwifery, and been a teacher and trainer of yoga and meditation for over 25 years. She was a co-founder of Yoga Yoga, one the first yoga centers in the state of Texas. Additionally she is an attuning Reiki Master, birth doula, and long-time practitioner of therapeutic dance and movement practices. Kewal lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her two children. To learn more about her work visit kewalwright.com
Marvin Vivas, Operations Associate
Marvin is a Colombian Business Associate at Modern Spirit with a diverse background in business consulting, life coaching, volunteering, and civil engineering. He transitioned from corporate roles to a purpose-driven path focused on healing and personal growth. Along this journey, he met Joe and Xochi, who became invaluable mentors and guides. Deeply guided by gratitude, his indigenous roots and learnings from elders and ancestral medicine, Marvin embodies the role of a chakaruna, or "bridge person" between different cultures or philosophies, helping others find balance between traditional wisdom and contemporary life. Through his services, he helps others find resilience, healing, and growth in both their personal and professional lives, cultivating a space where the heart and the mind are in harmony driving holistic transformation.
Joey Bellus, Community Coordinator
Joey Bellus is the Community Coordinator for the Modern Spirit Reciprocity Project and is the first point of contact for connecting Native American participants with our Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offerings. He is the owner of Optimal Performance Training, a fitness and wellness center in Mesa, AZ dedicated to empowering a diverse group of individuals of all ages and capabilities to achieve their fullest potential in health, fitness, and well-being. Joey is a fitness coach, a wellness mentor, and a ceremonialist. He holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Wellness from Arizona State University, is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and is a graduate of Hoffman Process and Landmark Education. He teaches fitness training for athletes, mindfulness and meditation, and wellness tools for individuals and groups in Arizona.