Kat Lee shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kat, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that’s brought me so much joy over the past two years has been Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour. I’ve been lucky enough to see the show three times — once in LA and twice in Vancouver — and even though my two Vienna shows were sadly canceled, the experience of traveling, connecting with other fans, and being part of the Swiftie community has been unforgettable. It’s been a beautiful reminder of the power of music, friendship, and shared joy. With the release of The Life of a Showgirl, I’ve been having so much fun again — listening to the songs, planning Swiftie activities, and celebrating that sense of girlhood and community that means so much to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kathleen “Kat” Lee, a storyteller, educator, and creative community builder based in San Francisco. I work as an academic coach, helping students recognize their potential and find confidence in their creative paths. Through my personal brand, Mindful Bloom Studio, I’ve expanded that work into my own practice—combining movement, mindfulness, and creative arts to build inclusive spaces for growth and self-expression.
I’m also the creator behind Kat Meets Magic on YouTube, where I share whimsical Disney-inspired adventures, and I host the Magic Meet Up twice a year at Disneyland during Dapper Day. I founded Never Grow Up Darling, a community for Swifties and fantasy lovers, and run an Etsy shop called Castles and Cardigans, where I design cozy, magical merch inspired by girlhood and storytelling. At my core, I’m a writer and dreamer who believes in creativity, kindness, and finding the magic in everyday life.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Last year, I flew to Vienna to see Taylor Swift, but the show was suddenly canceled due to a terrorist threat. It was terrifying to think that I was supposed to be there that night — but even with my family and partner urging me to cancel, I decided to go anyway. I had already booked everything, and something in me needed to finish that journey.
What started as a moment of fear turned into one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Traveling alone through Eastern Europe — by bus, by train, from Vienna to Berlin — gave me the space to reconnect with myself, make peace with parts of my past, and dream again about the future. I met other Swifties along the way and found so much unexpected joy.
Then, a few months later, I went to Vancouver to see the same show. On my way there, I received devastating news that a close friend had passed away. I got off the bus from Seattle and went straight to the concert that night. It became a deeply healing experience — one that reminded me how music can hold memories, emotion, and connection all at once.
Those two moments — Vienna and Vancouver — taught me about resilience, radical joy, and the power of showing up for life even when it’s hard. They reminded me that it’s okay to feel deeply, and that if you keep going, you can make it to the other side. I’m still navigating what all of that means, but I know it’s shaped who I am today — both as a person and as a creator.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, what helped most were books. Reading became my safe place — a world where I could escape, dream, and feel less alone. I was a social child, but I also needed time alone to process my thoughts and emotions. I like to describe myself as an extroverted person with an introverted processor — I love connection, but I need quiet space to understand how I feel.
Looking back, I now know that I’m autistic, though I didn’t learn that until 2020. Having that understanding has given me so much clarity and compassion for my younger self. As a kid, I often felt “different” but couldn’t explain why. Even when I was surrounded by love — especially from my parents — there were moments I felt misunderstood or overwhelmed by the world.
Books were my bridge through that. They taught me empathy, imagination, and resilience. I fell in love with fantasy stories because they showed me that magic and meaning could exist even in dark times. That’s really where my dream of becoming a writer began — I wanted to create stories that help others feel seen and safe, the way books once did for me.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is the integrity and mindfulness within the practice of yoga. Yoga isn’t just something I do — it’s a way of being that has shaped how I move through the world. I’ve completed over 400 hours of yoga teacher training, and what I’ve learned goes far beyond the physical postures. The true essence of yoga is about awareness, compassion, and connection — with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.
While I don’t identify as Hindu, I hold deep respect for the spiritual and philosophical roots of yoga. I believe in honoring where these teachings come from and protecting the sacredness of the practice from becoming purely performative or commercialized.
For me, yoga has been a life-saving practice — a way to come home to myself in moments of chaos, grief, or self-doubt. It teaches me presence, humility, and acceptance. It’s not about perfection or flexibility; it’s about being honest with yourself, holding space for others, and choosing peace even when it’s hard. That’s a value I protect fiercely — both in my personal life and in how I share yoga with others.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is the part of me that knows I’m meant to be a writer. Writing has always felt like my true calling — something I was born to do — but I often second-guess myself. I tell myself I don’t have enough training or that I’m not good enough, even though I know that’s just imposter syndrome trying to silence me.
When I face setbacks, that doubt can get louder, and I start to believe that no one will ever want to read my work. But deep down, I know that isn’t true. There’s still a steady light inside me that keeps burning — the belief that one day I’ll share my stories with the world, go on book tours, and meet people who say my writing made them feel seen or less alone. That dream keeps me going. It’s the light I’m learning to protect and let shine again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bio.site/kathleezzzy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleezzzy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kathleezzzy
- Other: I am currently updating my business website, and I expect to have it live by the end of this month.
Image Credits
photostakenbyjc.com
Neverwherephotography
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