We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Phillips. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.
Kristen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Let me say what an honor it is to be asked such a great question. I didn’t find my purpose, my purpose found me. Life has a crazy way of defining who you are and revealing what makes your unique contribution so special in incredibly nuanced ways. I wasn’t blind to my ambitions, but like most young adults, I didn’t — couldn’t afford to have all the pieces of the puzzle yet. What I thought was just a job that I applied for on Craigslist back in December of 2012 because I needed to make ends meet, turned out to be the first stepping stone of a dozen that led me to realize how the process in my field became as easy as breathing. This led me to be promoted and gave me a seat at the table with incredible leaders who graced me with a chance as a manager and later a corporate trainer of 40 in-house staff and then 60 more employees off-shore. This series of blessings was the key I needed to unlock my desire to get my undergraduate degree in 2013 and now my Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on community epidemiology to help solidify a life-long goal that ultimately catalyzes the prevalence of health equity on a regional and eventually global scale.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
During the workday, I am a full-time Senior Medical Staff Credentialing Specialist for an extremely successful global health organization. I absolutely love what I do because it’s inherently remote – I’m an introvert to my core so having the freedom to work from home in a controlled environment with minimal distractions is perfect for me. When I’m not working I’m either writing (working on my first fiction novel), in the front yard gardening because I just love being in nature outside, or collaborating with my husband, Alron Phillips (the director) on the next steps we’re taking in the docuseries that I am the creator and Host of called Health Focus; This is currently in production and is going to be a nine-season series that encompasses all aspects of health and wellness from the perspective of patients living with specific diseases/ disorders, healthcare professionals, and public figures.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One area of knowledge that is most impactful in my journey is, without a doubt, prayer! I wouldn’t have made it this far nor would I have the motivation to keep going without having strong faith and a trusted walk with Jesus. Another area of knowledge is being self-aware. Having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in 2014 forced me to learn how to listen to my body and the signs that indicate physical triggers of flare-ups. This means if I’m at a theme park with friends and family (for example) in Florida where it’s always hot, I’m forcing myself to take breaks every 15-20 minutes or more often than most people would feel the need to so I can prevent key symptoms from heightening.
Lastly, another area of knowledge that has been impactful in my journey is being an active listener. In an age where even babies have cell phones, It’s not enough to send a text, meme, or message on social media to those who are in your professional or personal circle. Part of the foundation of human nature is relationship and authentic communication, right? This fact won’t ever change, even as the world around us does.
If you are early in your journey, my advice for you is to keep your feet on the pavement. What I mean is you don’t have to always run, you don’t have to always walk, and you don’t always have to jump. Just don’t lie down and quit. As long as you are steadfast and moving in what you know you want, you can’t fail.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing they did was when they were honest with me and answered specific questions that I can understand and handle now as an adult because those same things would have been severely premature if they had said them to me as a child or teenager. I love them both!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthfocusdocuseries/
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/phillipskristenrae
