Meet Katherine Kise | Author, Board-certified Health and Wellness Coach + Global Business Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katherine Kise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
As a child, I suffered from a severe nut allergy and asthma. Throughout childhood, I had numerous anaphylaxis reactions, which worsened over time, and in some cases, I barely survived. As an adult, I developed additional allergies, auto-immune imbalances, and chronic illnesses, despite a “healthy” and active lifestyle of eating low fat and low-calorie foods and following weight-management and longevity-building best practices. A menagerie of doctors and experts dealt with my symptoms from breakouts, to severe fatigue, to multiple sclerosis-like symptoms. Of the many doctors I saw, only one thought to dig deeper to get to the root of all these issues!

She was an integrative, holistic practitioner specializing in auto-immune diseases with a strong background in research; she determined the underlying cause was chronic systemic inflammation brought about by a gluten intolerance and correlated dairy allergy, which was wreaking absolute havoc on my body. Feeling like my neurological system was deteriorating along with terrible pain, tingling, lack of balance when I walked, terrible breakouts on my face and more, I was willing to sacrifice the comfort foods of my Italian heritage, like breads and pasta, to feel better. I have always been a curious person (sometimes to my detriment!) ,and that intrinsic pursuit of knowledge helped to save my life. The education I received from traversing the terrain of the new healthy normal set me on a different path of wellness and revealed a need in the marketplace and community for relatable, accessible information that empowers individuals to navigate health issues.

I began building a knowledge base of holistic health practices and resources, and I realized my health experiences were not uncommon. Moreover, few doctors took the time to provide the level of care that was appropriate to support a patient like me, and fewer even had the degree of expertise patients like me needed to actually live a normal life. (For instance, doctors take very few nutrition courses in medical school and certainly don’t learn about holistically preventing and treating stress and inflammation, which is the primary activator of disease; genetics play a role, but lifestyle is the most determinant.)

After elimination diets and a renovation of my mental framework around diet, lifestyle, and “healthy living,” I learned how extensively the human body can heal when given the proper conditions. Healing is possible in so many cases! The realization was a huge wake-up call, and I thought of my parents, friends, coworkers who faced health issues, yet had no idea the power they had to improve.

Seeing a shortage of information available to people in need of accessible, doable lifestyle changes to navigate their own health concerns, I started to share my experiences and offer insights about how a holistic lifestyle can impact one’s body, mind, spirit, and professional success. I achieved national board certification for health coaching and established Sprout and Rosebud, a holistic health coaching business. I also switched careers, went back to graduate school, and wrote a children’s book, which allowed me to pursue my wide array of passions and have an even larger impact with my business offerings.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a board-certified health and wellness coach with extensive personal experience navigating – and in some cases overcoming – health issues since childhood (including severe food allergies and auto-immune issues), my coaching practice is rooted in providing and/or developing relatable, accessible plans that empower my Clients to take charge of their health and feel better mentally and physically. From the original intake through creating a unique roadmap for personal change through maintaining better habits in the long-term, we are truly partners in bringing their optimal wellness to life. Together, we incorporate a whole-person approach that catalyzes them to take meaningful action and achieve their goals.

Choosing to build a business instead of returning to Corporate America after I had been laid-off is one of the most vivid examples of a turning point – and transformational period – in my life. Soon after, I was creating, selling and delivering my first corporate wellness program. That era of my entrepreneurial adventure marked one of the most challenging, surprising experiences for me at that point in my career and personal journey. It symbolized a significant commitment to myself, my capabilities, and my passion that I had not stepped into before, and I was in my early 30s by this point. Building a business is never easy! It is an investment and adventure that is unlike any other; however, it is thrilling, more educational than the best MBA program, and more rewarding than winning the Georgia Lottery.

Doing so was not without fear, self-doubt, and facing some of the most vocal naysayers who were some of the people closest to me. In fact, saying yes to myself in this way challenged a LOT of beliefs I didn’t realize I had about how the world worked and my place in it. What I was “allowed” to do.

I negotiated business deals with CEO’s on pricing of my programs, which, as it is for a lot of women, was heavily enmeshed with my perception of my self-worth. I also believed my Programs, public speaking, and coaching would only resonate with women. To be fair, they did resonate with women, but some of the most vulnerable, meaningful, and transformational conversations I had with Clients were with men. The entire experience was deeply healing and fulfilling to me, yet also allowed me to aid in others’ healing, growth and fulfillment and gave me perspectives and experiences that allowed me to better relate to the challenges faced by friends, family, and Clients!

This journey also inspired me to write a children’s book, “Katie Can’t Eat Nuts,” which is about a girl with food allergies and is being released in May, which is National Food Allergy Awareness Month!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely do a tour of some of the most iconic, historic neighborhoods that have always held a special place in my heart as a native Atlantan: Downtown Decatur, Little Five Points, the heart of Buckhead… I just love all the character of the neighborhoods of this incredible city! Mornings would start with coffee and gluten-free muffins at Apotheos coffee in Virginia Highlands, Inman Perk, or Brash! Of course, we’d have to visit Carroll St. Cafe for brunch at some point and La Fonda for a delicious cuban meal on the patio!

We might stroll down Highland Ave taking in the sights and stopping in the shops, doing the same in Inman Park and on Saturday, indulging in the seasonal fare and fun of the Freedom Park Farmers Market!

We’d drive to Stone Mountain for a run in the hiking trails before stopping for lunch at Leon’s Full Service in Decatur. Another afternoon may entail a few hours at Piedmont Park, people watching and delighting in the beaucoup of dogs to be seen! We’d also be sure to take a walking tour of the beltline, being sure to explore the eastside and the southside, and of course, eating and drinking our way along!

We’d be sure to take in an ATL United game at Brewhouse in L5P, enjoy the rooftop view from Corner Tavern, get gluten-free pizza from Savage or Cameli’s and get a delightful cocktail from Wrecking Bar. There would be dancing at Blake’s and a stop by the renovated Clermont Lounge! We’d also be sure to hit up the Westside, including Urban Tree Cidery, Eight Sushi, and Ormsby’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I love this question! I am such a believer that it takes a village, and I would not be where I am without mine. My mentors and support system have been crucial to my continued success and my evolution as a good person and an entrepreneur.

Over time, the shape and members of the “village” has changed; as they say, “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” That mantra has been true for me throughout my entire life, career, and health journey, through creating a business and moving into more writing and publishing, like the children’s book coming out in a few months. The analogy of a garden is so accurate for me; seeds of holistic healthful living were planted by my mother very early on and were further cultivated by a surrogate big sister who introduced me to alternative healing modalities. The doctor who helped me uncover the underlying issues of skin, digestive, and neurological issues was one of the first integrative doctors in practice; without her, I would very likely be taking a mountain of prescriptions and being treated for MS, even though simply removing gluten from my diet solved all those issues. She changed my life. As I kept learning, Kris Carr was a huge teacher for me (though I’ve never met her, personally; Kris, call me! :). As I advanced my knowledge in human physiology and the body chemistry that promotes or prohibits optimum health, I went back again and again to Dr. Mark Hyman’s work. Of course, along the journey, my own medical advisors, mentors and Board of Directors – including both of my parents, who I am convinced know the answers to some of the greatest questions of the ages – were incredibly powerful influences in my personal and professional development.

Website: www.katherinekise.com

Instagram: @katherinekise

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinekise/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katherinekise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=4937968

Image Credits
Brenda Khor