From There to Here: Maud Coca When, four and a half years ago, Maud Coca moved to St. Thomas, she didn’t quite know what to expect. She had already lived in several very different places, being born in Nicaragua, moving to Canada with her family, then back to Nicaragua and raised there through high school, then returning to Canada at 17 to study and work in Kitchener and Toronto. Now, at 38, Maud calls St. Thomas home and she says she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. “I came here from Kitchener during the pandemic,” she explains. “At that time, my private practice had moved online, and my aesthetics business was temporarily shut down. My partner and I were looking for a bigger home, and I’d always wanted to be close to the beach, so being near Port Stanley sounded perfect.” It was a leap of faith. She had no local network and wasn’t sure how her business would take root in a new city. But, as Maud tells it, St. Thomas proved to be exactly what she needed. “Right from the start, people were incredibly welcoming. I met my neighbour, Ginette, who encouraged me to go to Chamber of Commerce events. I didn’t know anyone at first, but I started going, and before long, I kept seeing familiar faces. I built friendships, found support, and felt part of something.” That sense of belonging carried her through some major life changes, including a separation, and helped her see how deeply connected the local community can be. “Even during hard times, I never felt alone,” she says. “People here check in, offer help, or just invite you out. I’ve never experienced that level of support anywhere else I’ve lived.” These days, Maud divides her time between her St. Thomas practice and a newer location in Port Stanley. She admits she’s still deciding where she’ll settle long-term, but both communities hold her heart. “I love the friendliness here. In bigger cities, everyone minds their own business but here, you actually get to know your neighbours. It’s just easy to connect.” When she’s not working, you might find her at one of her favourite local spots, Streamliners Espresso Bar, Caps Off Brewing, Café Siam, or browsing the shelves at Purely Wicked
and Myrtle. “I’m a bit of a foodie,” she laughs. “St. Thomas has some really great local places, and I love how business owners here support one another.” As the founder and Clinical Director of Coconut Vigor, Maud brings that same spirit of connection into her work. Her team offers counselling, coaching, and consulting services with a holistic focus, incorporating creative therapies such as music, dance, art, and movement. “Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all,” she explains. “Our goal is to meet people where they’re at -- sometimes literally, by visiting them in their homes or working online -- and to offer approaches that fit their needs and culture.” Coconut Vigor also partners with community programs, offering services for Indigenous clients and working with local organizations such as Victim Services and the St. Thomas Police Service. “We believe in creating a healthier community,” Maud says. “And for me,” she says, “St. Thomas has shown what that truly looks like; people helping people. This city has my heart. I came here not knowing what to expect, but I’ve found my place and my people, right here.”
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Hometown St. Thomas • December 2025 • Page 31
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