Book launch, wellness workshop brings community together at library

2-18-26

By Louis Gauthier
MONTROSE — Like the splintered sunlight that pierced the gray February sky, Lacey Cook and her partner Iván Quintero brought a ray of hope to the Susquehanna County Library on Feb 14. Quintero and Cook, owners of the recently launched wellness business Move With Intention, were there to celebrate the publication of Cook’s new book “When Hope Speaks” and lead a workshop that the team described as “an interactive experience designed to help participants reduce stress, build resilience, and learn practical tools for moving through life with more intention.”

Cook explained that the book, her first, offers guidance rooted in neuroscience and emotional intelligence, while encouraging readers to become more present and connected. “Hope is something you can build, like a muscle,” she said. She added that scheduling the session during winter was intentional, noting that the season can feel isolating.
Attendee Melinda Baldwin said she couldn’t pass up coming after hearing Cook describe how “you’ll come in one way and leave another way.” Jayme Kipp said it was “a nice thing to do on a day like this,” and said she looked forward to participating.
Cook opened the session by saying, “Little tools and little activities make a big impact” on our habits in wellbeing. She encouraged participants to “give yourself permission to try these tools” and to “not only read something, but experience something inside of you.” Attendees shared positive feedback, noting that the session helped them relax and feel energized. It reinforced Cook’s stated intent from the start of the session that the goal was to “train our minds, our emotion, our energy” so that “we can leave here new, like a shiny new car.”

“We did some breathing exercises, we worked on moving the breath,” Cook said. “We also did moving the body, shaking out your hands for anxiety — We learned reframing, basically you call it out. Like a phrase that’s not positive, you catch it, you call it out, and then you choose.” This technique is meant to help to shift people’s thinking on things from negative to neutral or positive thoughts.
“We closed tabs that were draining energy in the mind, and then training focus and attention,” Cook said, and all exercises used in the workshop are in the book. “People left, they were like, ‘wow, this is so different. How can I feel like this all the time?’” she said. Whether you’re a divorcee, starting a new job, or moving somewhere new, Cook said these trainings are for everyone to use and benefit from.
Cook and Quintero expressed gratitude to the Susquehanna County Public Library for hosting the event and supporting community wellness initiatives. They also thanked Massimo of OIP Originals Italian Pizza for sponsoring the food, noting the restaurant has supported Move With Intention since its launch in 2024. Cook said OIP just imported bottles of olive oil from Naples, and will start selling them at their store in Montrose soon. More information about Move With Intention can be found at https://www.facebook.com/movewithlacey195/.
Cook and Quintero have hosted multiple recent events geared toward building mental focus, reducing feelings of overwhelm and nervous system regulation. Recent events include Close the Tabs, Lead with Clarity, a workshop, and Winter Reset in partnership with the Elk Lake School District.