Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Drier.
Hi Eva, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into medicine really began on the farm where I was raised. My mother used herbal medicine to care for our family, and it was just a normal part of life for us—growing our own food, harvesting herbs, and relying on what the land provided to support our health. I still remember having acupuncture for the first time at nine years old and thinking, This is what I want to do one day.
But like many people, life took me on a different path first. As a single parent, stability was a top priority, so I chose a career in finance. While it gave me what I needed at the time, I found myself increasingly disconnected—from myself, from my purpose, and even from my health. I was dealing with hypertension, digestive issues, and a general sense of burnout. I felt like I was living a life that didn’t fit.
A conversation with my grandmother became a turning point. She reminded me of the importance of doing what you love—not just for success, but for wellness and peace of mind. That moment gave me the clarity and courage to change course. I went back to school and eventually became a Doctor of Oriental Medicine.
Since then, there hasn’t been a single day I haven’t felt grateful to do what I do. Of course, there are hard days like anyone else, but I still wake up excited to practice this medicine. It’s a privilege to help others heal in a way that’s deeply connected to the traditions I was raised with. I feel fortunate every day to live a life that’s aligned with who I truly am.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all—but every challenge along the way has shaped me and made me stronger. One of the hardest periods was when I made the decision to go back to school to study Oriental medicine. Financially, it was incredibly tough. I was determined not to take on debt, so I worked long hours while also maintaining top grades in order to qualify for scholarships. That pressure was intense—every exam, every paper had to count.
At the same time, I was raising my son, and it was deeply important to me that he never felt the strain I was under. I didn’t want to miss a moment of being present for him. That meant a lot of very late nights, early mornings, and making sacrifices most people never saw. There were times I felt stretched to my limit, but I stayed focused on the vision of the life I was building—for both of us.
Looking back, it was one of the most challenging chapters of my life, but also one of the most defining. It taught me what I’m capable of when I’m fully aligned with my purpose, and how strength often looks like quiet perseverance.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder and lead practitioner of On The Mend Acupuncture, a wellness practice rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I specialize in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy, offering holistic strategies that go beyond symptom relief to support deep, lasting healing. My treatments are highly individualized—tailored to each person’s physical, emotional, and energetic needs.
What sets my practice apart is the way it’s grounded in both clinical training and lived experience. I grew up using herbal medicine, and that background gives me a unique perspective and deep respect for the body’s natural ability to heal. I’ve walked the path from burnout to balance myself, and that makes me especially compassionate when working with clients navigating similar challenges.
In addition to my own practice, I also work part of the week at my mentor’s clinic, Acupuncture and Herbal Therapies in St. Petersburg. I feel honored to be part of two incredible healing spaces where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered in their wellness journey.
I’m proud that people associate On The Mend Acupuncture with care that is not only effective, but deeply compassionate and grounded in integrity. Whether someone is dealing with chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, stress, or digestive issues, my goal is always to help them feel genuinely better—and more connected to themselves in the process.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think of risk-taking less as recklessness and more as a willingness to step into uncertainty in service of something meaningful. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was walking away from a stable career in finance to return to school and study Chinese medicine. As a single parent, that choice came with real weight—financial strain, long hours, and the vulnerability of starting over. But I also knew I couldn’t keep living a life that felt disconnected from who I was. The risk of staying stuck was far greater than the fear of change.
There’s one day that really cemented that decision for me. A patient of mine had just received her lab results and was able to see—on paper—the real impact of her hard work and our treatments. It was a validating and emotional moment for both of us. That same evening, my son and I had a conversation where he was weighing a decision of his own. He was considering whether to take a path that felt more authentic to him, even though it wasn’t the obvious or “safe” choice. In that moment, I realized the risk I took had become more than just my own story—it had quietly given him permission to trust himself too.
That day is stamped in my memory. It reminded me that the risks we take, especially the brave ones, ripple outward. They don’t just change our lives—they empower others too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onthemendacu.com
- Instagram: @onthemendacupuncture
