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.

Marvin Vivas, Assistant Director

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.