We recently connected with Karla Best and have shared our conversation below.
Karla, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
The best thing that I have done for self-care is prioritize my spiritual and mental health. I have maintained a spiritual relationship, and I will continue to be a work in progress, this journey has been incredibly transformative. Launching FathomLife Therapeutic, LLC during the 2020 pandemic, combined with recovering from a major surgery in 2022, brought some things to the surface. So, I decided to explore therapy, which led me to discover mindfulness practices, and strengthen my spiritual journey.
Therapy has allowed me to be comfortable in self-awareness, set intentional boundaries in relationships, and provided me with tools for life organization. Mindfulness, by definition, is the practice of being fully present in the moment without judgment. In a world filled with distractions, mindfulness helps to focus on the people and experiences right in front of me. It is also a reminder for me to offer myself and others grace in personal and professional environments.
After practicing mindfulness for about a year, I completed a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, with Duke Health and Wellness in 2024. The program included various methods for stress and anxiety reduction, mindful eating, and mindful movement. Implementing these techniques has prompted positive lifestyle changes, sharing my knowledge with family and friends, and the ability to integrate into my business.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Education has always been fundamental in my career. Prior to becoming a business owner, I had the pleasure of training and mentoring aspiring Estheticians. I am proud to see that many of them are now my colleagues.
My vision is to help clients and communities learn how to manage life’s challenges as stress-free as possible. Avoiding stress is impossible, but learning how to reduce or control our reactions can make a huge difference in mental and medical care. Unmanaged stress can cause burn out, an unstable nervous system, and is often the underlying reason for medical diagnoses.
Fathomlife Therapeutic, LLC located in Raleigh, NC, was established at a time when self-care and mental health became vital topics for the world. The name FathomLife is a combination of my parents Faye and Thomas; fathom means to understand or figure out life, and each service is named after a person who has played a significant role in my life, reflecting the essence of that service. Currently, I am a sole proprietor offering a range of services, including signature facials for maintenance, chemical peels for corrective care, Swedish and deep tissue massage, cupping, and hot stone treatments to name a few. Through these services, clients have the opportunity to leave their concerns on the table and focus on their well-being. This is a space to have what I call Essential Mental Minding Moments (Emmms), pour into yourself, so there is an overflow for life.
The future is bright, I have created coloring workbooks titled Mindfulness in Color, which includes a reflection activity for each drawing. Soon I will be adding Reiki, mindfulness practices, and sound baths to the menu. A second location will be opening in my hometown of Whiteville, NC in the spring of 2025!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Having faith in God has made it possible for my vision to become a reality, given me the courage to trust that I am going in the right direction, and persistence so that I can persevere challenges that will arise. With 20 years of combined experience, I continue to seek out learning opportunities beyond the board required continuing education, recognizing that the future of this profession is always evolving.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Apply methods learned in therapy and mindfulness practices including breathing techniques, meditation, and walking. I was never really a journaling person, but I have found that writing down my ideas can help sort them out.
Accomplishments bring a mix of emotions from motivation and excitement to doubt and perfectionism.
My advice? Do it anyway, keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.massagebook.com/biz/FathomLifeTBS
- Instagram: fathomlifetbs
- Facebook: FathomLife Therapeutic
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