We recently had the chance to connect with Tiffany Goss and have shared our conversation below.
Tiffany, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What battle are you avoiding?
The battle I’m avoiding is really about stepping outside of my comfort zone, both personally and professionally. I know growth happens when I challenge myself, but it’s easy to stay in the familiar routines that feel safe. For me, that means pushing myself to take on responsibilities or opportunities that may feel intimidating at first—whether that’s speaking up more in large group settings, tackling a project that requires new skills, or even embracing change in my personal life. I’m working on reframing that discomfort as a sign that I’m growing, rather than something to shy away from. I’ve noticed that when I do step out of my comfort zone, I gain confidence and achieve more than I expected.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, would love to! Kansas City is home, I come from a small family, so we are very tight knit. The gym is my second home, and I absolutely love what I do for a living is really all you need to know about me. So, it’s been about six and a half years now since my brother-in-law, Plastic Surgeon, Christopher C. Surek, D.O., FACS based in Overland Park, and I, along with our co-faculty, launched the Academy for Injection Anatomy. A hands-on cadaver course designed to help injectors become safer and more skilled—not just for their own practice, but more importantly, for the benefit of their patients.
What sets our course apart is our focus on cross-sectional anatomy combined with a fully hands-on cadaver lab. Participants get to inject and dissect, allowing them to see the vessels in real time and verify whether they’ve placed the orange and green dye correctly. (For clarity, the dye is added to the HA filler so they can visualize the injection planes directly.) The course quickly gained momentum—we reached 10,000 Instagram followers within the first year and built a waitlist of over 600 participants. Then COVID hit, and we had to pivot. Unsure about the course’s future, we decided to go virtual, offering education that participants could access from the comfort of their own homes. Two years later in 2021, we partnered with the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa), which allowed us to scale the course nationally. Since then, we’ve embarked on a nationwide tour and continue to grow and expand our reach.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I don’t believe work ethic can be taught—it’s something that comes from within. My mom shaped everything I know about having a strong work ethic. She was a bit tough on me and my sister growing up; there wasn’t much room for mistakes. But it was always out of love and with the best intentions, and that discipline instilled in me a relentless drive and determination. Even today, I don’t really have a sense of work-life balance—I’m full throttle day in and day out—but it works for me, and I believe it’s a big part of what’s allowed me to achieve what I have in my career.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Over the past two years, I’ve been in weekly therapy, a journey that’s helped me face my deepest wounds, heal in ways I never thought possible, and discover a sense of peace I had longed for. Sharing this vulnerability is not easy, but I hope that by opening my heart, my experience might bring comfort or inspiration to others navigating their own paths.
My first area of study was Criminal Justice — a field I’ve always been deeply passionate about and still am today. In 2014, after completing an internship, I accepted a position with the Johnson County Department of Corrections as a Juvenile Detention Officer in Olathe, KS. About a year into the job, I was let go — an experience that was devastating at the time but ultimately became an important lesson. To provide context: the youth in our care were allowed canteen privileges, which included snack items they could earn for good behavior. One Sunday evening, a resident asked if he could make a bag of popcorn. I initially said no, but after my partner asked again on his behalf, I agreed. Unfortunately, the popcorn burned, triggering the fire alarm and automatically dispatching the fire department. During the evacuation, my partner and I failed to complete a headcount, and one of the residents remained locked in his room. Had it been a real fire, the consequences could have been tragic. The next day, we were both terminated.
Out of desperation, I turned to exotic dancing. Not because I wanted to, but because I felt like I had no other choice at that time. I was in survival mode. At first, it was a rush—commanding a room, being in control—but I didn’t see how degrading it was and would become or how much it would erode my self-worth. I fell into a lifestyle fueled by chaos: late nights, partying into the early morning, constant sickness, and exhaustion. While this was all going on, I started seeing a psychiatrist who ended up misdiagnosing me with bipolar disorder and later diagnosing me with borderline personality disorder. BPD turned out to be correct. These labels only pushed me further down a spiral I couldn’t escape… until I nearly overdosed one night after mixing the antipsychotics I was prescribed with alcohol, cocaine and LSD. That’s when my mom stepped in—without hesitation, and without question. She took me in and took care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself. I truly wouldn’t be who I am, or where I am today, without her—or without the Good Lord, who has never left my side. The bond I’ve built with Him has reshaped my life in ways I could never have imagined, filling it with peace, purpose, and a quiet, unshakable hope. And my mom—my everything—has been my anchor through it all. Her love, her strength, and her unwavering support have carried me through every storm and guided me through every step. Everything I am, everything I’ve achieved, I owe to them. They are the heartbeat of my world, my guiding light, the foundation upon which I stand, and the reason I am me today.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
My integrity. I protect it because it is who I am at my core. It’s the thread that weaves together my values, my actions, and the way I show up in the world. Personally, it gives me strength and clarity—it allows me to make decisions I can stand behind and live in alignment with the person I strive to be. Professionally, integrity is the foundation of trust, credibility, and meaningful relationships. It ensures that every interaction, every choice, and every responsibility I take on is grounded in honesty and accountability. Without it, success loses its value, and influence loses its purpose.
Integrity is more than a principle—it’s a commitment to me and to others. It shapes how I lead, collaborate, and impact the people around me. By protecting it, I create a life and career I am proud of, one built not just on accomplishments, but on authenticity, resilience, and respect. My integrity is my compass, and following it ensures that, no matter the challenges I face, I remain true to myself and the legacy I want to leave.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Most people will never truly understand my legacy. They might look at my life and see only the chaos, the choices I made out of survival, or the labels society would slap on me—and assume they know me. What they won’t see is the depth of my resilience, the intentionality behind my growth, or the love and strength that carried me through every dark moment.
They might misunderstand me because they expect perfection, or a linear path, or a life free of mistakes—but my legacy isn’t defined by the easy or comfortable moments. It’s defined by how I showed up when it mattered most: for myself, for my family, and for the people I now have the privilege to teach and inspire. They might see only a snapshot, but what I’ve built—the impact, the courage, the transformation—is bigger than any single chapter in my life.
So yes, they may judge, they may misunderstand, they may even try to rewrite my story for me. But my legacy isn’t theirs to define. It’s mine, forged in fire, and it’s far stronger than any misconception.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.americanmedspa.org/
- Instagram: tiffanygoss_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goss.tiffany/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
