Professionals trained in core whole-body, breathing-focused education
Whole-Human Health
Our Mission
Breathe Function Thrive™ exists to advance Whole-Human Health through interdisciplinary professional education, clinical innovation, and evidence-informed practice.
Guided by the Whole-Human ABCS™ Framework - Airway & Breathing, Brain & Nervous System Regulation, Cranial-Orofacial Myofunctional Health, and Sleep & Whole-Body Integration - we educate healthcare professionals to recognize and address the interconnected factors that influence growth, development, function, regulation, healing, and long-term health outcomes.
Our Impact
Growing a Collaborative Movement
Professionals reached through FairEST tools
Centers of Excellence
Strategic partnerships advancing whole-body breathing-focused care and education in our communities.
Founder
About Cynthia
Cynthia Peterson, PT, CMTPT, COM®, CBS, CST | Founder, Breathe Function Thrive
Cynthia Peterson is a pediatric and adult physical therapist, educator, author, researcher, international speaker, proud mother, and grandmother with more than 36 years of experience helping individuals optimize breathing, sleep, feeding, development, and overall function. Her passion for early intervention and prevention has led her to develop innovative approaches that help identify and address root causes affecting airway health, breathing, cranial-mandibular development, and nervous system function.
Cynthia’s advanced training includes Orofacial Myology, Craniosacral Therapy, breathing re-education, pediatric feeding and development, cranial nerve and nervous system function, fascial and visceral therapies, and numerous interdisciplinary approaches. She is the originator and co-author of the FAIREST™ screening resources and received the 2022 Breathe Outlook Award for her contributions to advancing sleep and breathing screening. Cynthia is also a published researcher and co-author in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including Sleep Medicine, the International Journal of Orofacial Myology & Myofunctional Therapy, the International Journal of Otolaryngology, and the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.
Cynthia is passionate about empowering patients, families, and professionals through education and collaborative care. Her goal is to help individuals of all ages function better, sleep better, breathe better, and thrive.
Founder Story
Breathe Function Thrive Founder’s Story
Advisors and Facilitators
A growing circle of collaborators supporting ethical care, education, and whole-body health.
Kendra Anderson
BSRT, RRT, CLC, BBA | Pediatric Breathing Specialist
Kendra Anderson is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Lactation Consultant dedicated to helping infants and children optimize breathing, feeding, and development. Inspired by her own childhood experience with asthma and respiratory illness, she has built her career around supporting healthy breathing from the earliest stages of life.
Kendra works at Primary Children's Hospital in the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units and serves as a Lactation Consultant at St. Mark's Hospital. She is also a Certified Breathing Behavior Analyst and has completed advanced training in the Buteyko method for respiratory conditions.
As a mother of three, Kendra is passionate about helping families build healthier foundations for lifelong wellness.
Lisa Dolphin
MS, OTR/L, CLC | Co-Owner ProActive Pediatric Therapy
Lisa Dolphin has dedicated her 20+ year occupational therapy career exclusively to pediatrics, helping infants, children, and families thrive through early intervention and individualized care. She is passionate about identifying and addressing the root causes of developmental, sensory, feeding, and motor challenges so every child can reach their full potential.
Lisa's advanced training includes Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), MNRI® Reflex Integration, Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), and the SOS Feeding Approach. She has extensive experience supporting children with feeding difficulties, developmental delays, sensory processing challenges, and infant development needs.
Lisa loves partnering with families and celebrating each child's progress toward greater confidence, growth, and joy.
Suzie Johannes
MPT, PT, CLC | Co-Owner ProActive Pediatric Therapy
Suzie Johannes has spent more than 20 years helping infants and children build strong foundations for movement and development. Her passion for early intervention has led her to specialize in infant motor development, torticollis, feeding challenges, head shape concerns, and developmental milestones from birth through walking.
Suzie's advanced training includes Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Baby Jaws & Breathing, Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), Craniosacral Fascial Therapy, MNRI®, and General Movement Assessment (GMA). She is known for her collaborative, individualized approach and commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.
Suzie enjoys partnering with families and celebrating each milestone along the developmental journey.
Rhonda Rodriguez
MS, CCC-SLP, COM® | Owner, Rodriguez Speech and Myofunctional Therapy
Rhonda Rodriguez is a speech-language pathologist and Certified Orofacial Myologist with extensive experience helping children and adults improve communication, feeding, swallowing, and myofunctional function. She has worked across public education, private practice, and outpatient rehabilitation settings, supporting individuals with a wide range of developmental and neurological conditions.
Rhonda is the recipient of seven ASHA ACE Awards for Excellence in Continuing Education and has advanced training in orofacial myology, feeding and swallowing disorders, language development, and motor speech disorders.
Her passion is providing individualized, compassionate care that helps each client and family build confidence, achieve their goals, and reach their fullest potential.
Our Core Values
Education First
Practical, accessible learning that supports better decisions.
Ethical Education & Care
Integrity, responsibility, and respect across every pathway.
Root-Cause Thinking
Looking beyond symptoms toward long-term function.
Collaboration
Connecting professionals, families, and patients for better outcomes.
Empowerment
Helping people make informed choices with confidence.
Whole-Body Health
Understanding how systems work together to support wellness.
Join the Movement
Join the Movement Toward Better Function and Health
Whether you are a professional, parent, or patient, Breathe Function Thrive is committed to helping people better understand the foundations of breathing and whole-body function.