Barbara Emrys was born in France, the daughter of an American diplomat, and grew up in Europe, Africa, and the West Indies. She worked as an actress and film producer until twenty-five years ago, when she met Don Miguel Ruiz and began her apprenticeship on the path of shamanism. She is currently a teacher of the ancient Toltec arts, as well as one of the closest collaborators of the mythical Mexican shaman, with whom she has co-authored several books.