Leigh Ann Mills

I’ve had quite the journey so far, one filled with twists, turns, and profound transformations. I grew up in Florida, where I spent the first 40 years of my life. My childhood was wonderful—I was an athlete, deeply immersed in sports, and eventually, I pursued a professional golf career that spanned two decades. I competed on the LPGA, European, Asian, Korean, and Japanese tours, winning eight tournaments along the way. Golf took me all over the world, but it wasn’t an easy career. It was demanding and challenging, and when an injury forced me to stop playing around 2004, I experienced a major identity crisis. My entire life had been defined by the sport, and suddenly, I didn’t know who I was without it.

Adding to this upheaval, I faced deep personal losses. I lost my mother in a tragic and painful way—she was a nurse who contracted AIDS from a needle stick and passed away in 1995, during a time when there was still a lot of stigma around the disease. Losing her shook my family and me to the core, and navigating such grief left an indelible mark on my life. Later, other tragedies compounded the challenges, including losing everything I owned in a fire and witnessing a coworker’s suicide. These moments brought me to a point where I questioned everything: What am I meant to do? Why am I here?

Even as I wrestled with these struggles, I noticed that I had always been deeply intuitive. While traveling for golf, I could feel the energy of different places as soon as I arrived. I’d know immediately how I was going to play or whether things would work out, even when circumstances seemed impossible. At the time, I assumed everyone had these experiences, but I now understand that my sensitivity to energy was unique.

After stepping away from golf, I tried my hand at various careers. I earned a business degree and worked in insurance, then as a stockbroker, but none of it truly fulfilled me. A turning point came when I moved to Chicago, where I began working at a cancer hospital. I golfed with the CEO and eventually joined their community outreach team. Little did I know that this role would teach me so much about the human body and connect me with a new sense of purpose.

Over a decade ago, I was introduced to Reiki. At first, I learned the Western style, but something about it didn’t fully resonate with me. I was fortunate to connect with a teacher from Japan, who introduced me to Jikiden Reiki, a more traditional Eastern approach. It felt like coming home. I’ve spent over ten years studying with my mentor, and the practice has deeply shaped my approach to energy healing. Jikiden Reiki focuses on the physical body and emphasizes bringing the client’s etheric body to the practitioner, rather than the concept of “sending” energy. This method felt far more aligned with my own intuitive sense of healing.

Through my years of practice, I’ve also developed my own style of energy work, blending the traditional techniques I’ve learned with my own intuitive methods. During sessions, I often feel like I’m traveling with my clients to other dimensions, working in healing chambers before returning to share what I’ve experienced. While I don’t always explain every detail of what happens, the results speak for themselves. My clients are often amazed by the depth of healing and insight they gain.

Today, I balance my full-time job at the cancer center with my energy healing practice. My work is my passion—it’s what drives me and fills me with purpose. I’ve also co-founded a platform called Antidote, a safe and anonymous social media space designed to support kids and protect them from bullying. It’s another way I hope to make a positive impact in the world.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that every challenge and every step has led me to where I am now. Whether it’s through Reiki, my intuitive gifts, or my dedication to helping others heal, I feel deeply connected to my purpose. This is my life’s work, and I’m excited to see where it continues to take me.