Maria Duncalf-Barber comes from a large family in Liverpool, England and has lived in Muskoka, Canada since 1993. She is a counsellor and educational trainer, also a motivational speaker. She has written numerous short stories and poetry, magazine and newspaper articles in Britain and Canada. She writes a regular column for Muskoka Magazine.  Writes her own column called "What's Up Bracebridge".  She has published her first book of poetry called, 'Carrying Our Altars Within-Inspirational Sacred Poetry'.  She is featured in eight anthologies of poetry and short story writing.

She is involved with photography and has won prizes for her work.  Maria loves the written word, loves being a storyteller and teaching writing and poetry workshops.

Maria was a semi-finalist for the short story at the Moondance Film Festival 2009 and has reached the semi-finals again in 2010.

She is presently writing and directing a documentary on Women and Aging - Aging A Work in Process.

Maria devised and teaches a personal growth programme for women called Journey towards Wholeness, and delivers workshops to corporate and community groups, besides having written and hosted her own TV programme for three years on Community Cable 10 called 'Personal Growth and Self-Development'.

Maria loves people and is excited when she midwifes them towards change, she adores the work she does. Her key word is integrity and she is living her True, authentic life and loving every moment of it. Maria’s involvement with personal growth stems from recognizing the holistic aspects of spirit, mind and body and the connection they portray.