Founder Nicholas Scanlan

Nicholas Patrick Scanlan was born Dec. 28, 1952, in St. Paul, Minnesota.  “Nick”, one of 9 children, was raised in St. Paul.  He grew up around his family’s surgical instruments business, which helped to form his interest in health at an early age.   In his 20’s he was at the forefront of the holistic health movement, and recognized that reducing stress was a main key to good health.

He began his college education at the University of Minnesota. At that time he was also trained as an instructor of TM and moved to California in 1977 to teach. He continued his college studies and graduated with a BA in Philosophy with honors from California State University, Bakersfield, with a minor in Religious Studies. Upon completion, Nick became an educator and taught at a local college, private high school, and even a state prison.  

Nick married Nancy in 1985 and they moved to northern California where he taught at a private high school.  He also began his graduate studies in the field of Philosophy and Religious Studies at San Francisco State University, the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, and the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1990, Nick and his family moved to Ojai, California.  During that time, he was a director of a non-profit organization, a business consultant, and a teacher of meditation.  In addition, he organized and facilitated retreats, and spent many hours volunteering his time in the community.

Nick spent his private time enjoying his life-long interests of playing the guitar, piano, and “jamming” with friends, boating, athletics, reading, traveling, spending time with his family, preparing fresh vegetarian meals, as well as being devoted to his Catholic faith.

While attending college, Nick dreamed of starting a foundation.  His dream came to fruition when Radiance Foundation was created in 2006. However, within a few months, he was diagnosed with of a rare type of bone cancer called multiple myeloma.  He succumbed to that disease and passed away in the summer of 2009. 

Nick’s vision of creating a “healthier and more loving”, and a “cleaner, safer and more peaceful world”, came from his recognition of the importance of our environment as it relates to health  – not only with respect to our physical environment, but also as it relates to our mental, emotional, and spiritual environment. 

He believed that one could have radiant health at all stages of life, a state of inner wellbeing that individuals can learn to tap into, even when facing the many challenges of life.  He was very self-disciplined, and dedicated his life to helping others discover, develop and live within that state of inner peace.

He lived in that state, especially during the final years of his life.  Even though Nick suffered from this disease, he was full of joy, playfulness, laughter and love, and was greatly appreciative and thankful to all who cared for and assisted him during his time of illness.

Nick believed in the “true spirit of caritas (charity)”, which he felt we “are all called to do.”  The Radiance Foundation plans to answer that call to the best of its ability.