Mara James is the driving force behind the Extraordinary Lives Foundation. Originally from New York, Mara relocated to California with her husband, Kenneth, and three children in 2007. They established Kenneth’s OBGYN practice and for seven years Mara ran the busy office.

In 2014, at age 48, Mara experienced a severe manic episode and was diagnosed as bipolar. Mara and Kenneth had already been dealing with mental struggles in their family as they have a child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Mara sought help wherever she could find it and will be forever grateful to her psychiatrist and the many gifted healers who helped guide her back to mental health and wellbeing.

The magical gift that has emerged from her battle is a determination to encourage prevention and early diagnosis of mental challenges in children and encourage parents to explore holistic options as well as traditional medicine.

​Through her battle with mental health, many wellness professionals helped Mara heal and transform her life. Mara’s experience—in addition to the experience of some of her close family members—has kindled in her a passion for forwarding the cause of children’s mental health.

She established the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and created Piggie Bear to promote mental health awareness and provide both children and their parents with the resources they need to pursue holistic wellness in any and all avenues available. Mara lives with her family in Orange County, California.