It’s More Than Just Physical, It’s Personal

When I first set my sights on the health industry, my goal was simple---- to help people manage pain, feel good in their bodies, and enjoy their life. My own struggles with chronic migraines had already made me question the methods of conventional medicine. Every prescription came with side effects worse than before and I often received conflicting medical advice that left me frustrated and confused. I knew I wanted to help people, but I needed a way that felt more aligned, more natural.

Originally enrolled in Baylor University's nursing program I began seeking out alternatives that would expand my approach to health and wellness. That’s when my college advisor introduced me to Athletic Training—a field focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and hands-on care. It was exactly what I had been looking for. Over the next four years, I worked with a variety of sports teams, assisted with athlete’s treatment and recovery plans and gained firsthand experience in emergency medicine and movement-based healing. If you were lucky—like me—some of those seasons came with championship rings and unforgettable experiences.

How Movement Became My Medicine

I did sports as a child, but academia took priority in high school. Fitness didn’t take center stage until I enrolled in an aerobic running class (not by choice) freshman year of college. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8AM I was putting up miles before some people finished breakfast and surprisingly I enjoyed it. It wasn't until the following year when I lost my grandmother to leukemia that I started to understand the power of movement. Grief often kept sleep away from me and late night workouts became my new way to cope. Often times there was no structured plan—just the need to move, to feel, to release. After hours of exhausting all of my energy in the gym, I would feel lighter. As if I lifted the literal weight of my world off of my shoulders. Those exercise studies and research assignments were no longer words on a paper to me, I was living them. Movement really does help you feel better!

Those nights transformed the way I viewed and managed my emotions. Exercise became more than something physical for me, it felt spiritual. Whether I was running the Bear Trail, hiking through Cameron Park, taking MMA conditioning and F45 classes taught by my girl Muse, or practicing yoga in my apartment, I knew I had to move my body to keep my mind right. Of course the results I saw in the mirror were pretty great too. After several months of consistency (and cute gym selfies on snapchat) the messages started rolling in. People were asking me for fitness advice, curious on how to join me, and sending encouraging words. You want to know what really got me? The people that said I was inspiring them. At first, I didn’t get it. I’m just in the gym trying to keep my spirits lifted, what do you mean my mess is an inspiration to you? Then it dawned on me—taking control of my health, moving through my pain, showing up for myself… that was helping other people show up for themselves too. And I can get with that!

From Passion to Profession

After earning my B.S in Athletic Training, I moved back to Houston and immersed myself in the fitness community. From 2017 to 2020 I managed several kickboxing and boxing gyms, trained under world champion fighters, and provided AT coverage for high school, collegiate and professional athletes----- all while overseeing the daily operations of the family’s life insurance business.

Here I saw firsthand how the decisions we make early on impact our long-term health and well-being. It opened my eyes to the bigger picture. It's not just about how we train----it's about the way we carry our stress, the relationships we pour our energy into, our lifestyles choices and financial habits. All of it cumulates and determine the different paths we walk in this life. When clients showed up to workouts they brought all their worries and struggles with them. The gym was a place of solace for us all, but sometimes it wasn't enough. I saw it in them and I saw it in myself.

The 2020 pandemic forced a shift. I moved my training online and started a virtual walk/run club with the intention to find accessible ways for my clients and I to stay active. With the climate of our world and the uncertainty of life, the focus of client sessions shifted from

"What are we working on today?" to "How do I keep going despite all that's happening?"

Listen, I can't lie to y'all....this time I didn't have the answers for them. I was asking myself those same questions. I was 24 years old with plans to leave the country before the world shutdown and I surely didn't expect death to stake it's claim...again. Without my usual distractions, I found myself struggling to wrap my head around what life was at that point.

Wellness Beyond The Gym

Working out my feelings in the gym may have proven successful in the past, but this season of my life called me on a journey of self-discovery. Am I using exercise as an escape? If so, what am I running from? I had to go deeper. I studied how our mind and bodies worked together, researched how trauma and stress manifests itself as physical ailments, illness and disease. I was drawn to practices like fasting, mindfulness, breathwork, journaling, meditation, and Tai-Chi. Practices that required me to slow down, tune in and listen to what my body is really telling me.

My newfound interests led me to pursue studies in integrative wellness as I wanted to refine my approach to coaching. In 2023, I earned my Master’s in Health and Human Performance, along with certifications in Health Coaching and Medicinal Cannabis Therapeutics from Pacific College of Health Science San Diego. While focusing heavy on personal and professional growth, we also explored alternative modalities that work with the body and with nature's rhythms instead of against it. Blending Eastern medicine practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with Western science and philosophies granted me a new perspective to connect with myself—my clients, and the world around me in a profound way.

The Wheel of Life

To create lasting change in any area of life, we first need clarity. What is our starting point? Where do we want to go? How are we going to get there? One of my favorite tools to introduce new clients to is the Wheel of Life sometimes called the Wheel of Health. It provides a clear visual representation of areas where we feel most fulfilled and areas where we could use more balance. Identifying blind spots, leaning on our strengths and setting clear and intentional goals pushes us in the direction of true transformation.

Looking back, my journey into health and wellness wasn’t just about getting stronger—it was about healing, growth, and understanding how movement was the catalyst that transformed my life. The most important lesson I've taken away from all of this is that that we are never alone in our struggles-----and in our triumphs too.

With love and gratitude,

Coach Ki

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Want to gain more insight on your wellness journey?💬 Drop a comment below saying "Balance", and I’ll send you a FREE fillable copy of the Wheel of Life to get you started on your wellness journey! ⬇️✨