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

Hi Kristal, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
At one time I thought I could have it all – career, motherhood, and a social life. I thought I could excel in all areas of my life. Once I became a mom, I realized that I may be able to have it all, just not all at once. I definitely got caught up in the “grind” mentality. Working non-stop, trying to be super mom, and failing to properly care for myself had adversely affected my health. I decided to make a shift to balance my life with a focus on prioritizing my health. For example, I take breaks during my workday. A 15-minute break really works wonders. I try to really relax during the weekend, and I take time to spend in the sauna to help relieve stress. This has helped me tremendously with how I show up as a mom and in my career. We cannot be our best selves if we are tired, stressed out, and depleted. So, balance to me is prioritizing health and wellness first and everything else will fall into place.

What should our readers know about your business?
In addition to being a certified health coach, I am an attorney and I have practiced law for over 20 years. It has not been easy and for many years I did not like practicing law. Midway into my career as a lawyer, I realized that it wasn’t so much that I did not like the work, rather, I did not like the stress and anxiety that came along with the work. My inability to manage stress early on in my career caused me significant angst. However, once I learned how to manage my stress by prioritizing my health and physical fitness, my life changed. Challenges often open the door to new opportunities. If I had not experienced the stress and anxiety from my career, I may have never become a certified health coach and I certainly would not have started my podcast. The biggest lesson I have learned all of these years is that life is a marathon and not a sprint. Consistency is key and relationships matter. And when you find yourself in a position where you can help others – do so.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the outdoors, so you will typically find me at the park or on a trail like the Beltline. One of my favorite places in the city is the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I can spend hours there enjoying the beautiful flowers, vegetation, and exhibits. It is really nice to visit at night as well, and the Holiday Lights Exhibit is one of my favorites.

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?
My daughter, Honor, has given me the true gift of love. Mothering her has helped me live a happier and healthier life. She has taught me how to be my authentic self and live out loud.

Website: www.gohardchick.com

Instagram: @krisalisefit @g0hardchick

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristal-holmes-01573a72/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrisAlise/

Other: Podcast, Go Hard Chick: https://www.podpage.com/go-hard-chick/

Image Credits
Bonnie Blu Alex D. Rogers

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