Holistic practitioners share their journey & perspective on living well: Kristy & Rebecca Q&A

In today's world of holistic practices, connecting with people who share similar journeys can encourage one to continue on the path. Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with Kristy Garnet, a holistic life coach and clinical herbalist. 

Kristy's journey mirrors my own, as we both transitioned from corporate roles to pursue holistic practices, including becoming entrepreneurs. While my focus lies more on finding balance and connecting with our true selves, Kristy’s approach centers around empowering high achievers to thrive without burning out through customized herbal programs.  

In our conversation, Kristy and I answered eight questions about our journeys, discovering how we’ve developed personally, connected on our holistic lifestyle perspective, and what influences our unique coaching style. 

Our shared experiences and varied viewpoints underscore the significance of gaining insights from fellow practitioners in the holistic community.

1. Share your personal journey of leaving the corporate world and transitioning to a holistic practitioner.

Kristy: My journey into holistic living began long before I bid farewell to the corporate world in the early 2000s. As a Biology graduate student outside Washington DC, my fascination with nature was unparalleled, an enduring passion that shaped my life's trajectory. Yet, despite my profound connection to the environment, my own health remained a separate concern until a pivotal moment altered everything.

Amidst the rigours of academia and the pursuit of environmental conservation, I neglected the subtle signs of impending health crises until I found myself in the ER. Diagnosed with abnormal migraines leading to mini-strokes, I realized I lacked the tools for holistic self-care beyond conventional medicine's scope. Desperate for a more comprehensive approach, I delved into natural health modalities, despite initial fears of sacrificing my modern lifestyle for holistic practices.

Through herbal medicine, I discovered a harmonious balance between luxury and well-being, debunking the notion of dichotomies between high-end living and holistic healing. With newfound clarity, I embarked on a journey to integrate holistic principles into my life and career.

Balancing my corporate responsibilities with my passion for holistic living, I eventually transitioned into a full-time role as a Holistic Living Coach and Clinical Herbalist, empowering others to heal naturally without compromising on luxury.

Rebecca: My journey began with experiencing intense stress, burnout, and feeling disconnected in work and life. Over several intense years now, I have focused on healing my nervous system and getting to know myself better—my values, interests, and how I see the world. 

This process helped me rediscover my true self and the path I wanted to walk. I started making small changes and progressing in my new direction, like taking courses and building my business outside my full-time job. Then, when I was let go in 2023, it became clear that I needed to embrace my new direction fully. 

In my holistic coaching journey, I've learned the importance of being myself, valuing freedom, and using my skills to help others become their best selves. Honestly, this has been such a rewarding, liberating, and life-changing experience so far!

2. What changes have you noticed in yourself since leaving corporate?

Kristy: Having worked in the corporate world for nearly two decades, I can appreciate the pressures of that career path. We want to do it all—look good, feel good, and continue to be successful professionally. Sadly, our physical and emotional health often takes a backseat to everything AND everyone else.  

I understand this completely, as I did this for many years. Instead of pivoting and starting a new business, I added to my plate and built my business while working full-time. I understand this, AND I was able to keep my health optimal because I was passionate about herbal medicine.  

To say I was BUSY is a bit of an understatement.  

I would see clients on the weekends and evenings, but eventually, I worked my way into a schedule where the corporate world was part-time (three days a week) for nearly four years. I quit three different times, but I found new reasons to stay, and my employer at the time valued me.  

It actually was great for my business in the long run, as I completely understood the corporate world. My co-workers would often become my clients as they sought more energy and work-life balance.  

To answer your question, once I finally left, I felt so much spaciousness. My husband says I became a more patient and nicer person to be around too. 🙂

Rebecca: Leaving the corporate world has been transformative for me in many ways. As I mentioned, running my own business has allowed me to cultivate a greater sense of freedom, autonomy, and authenticity. 

Surprisingly, I've discovered that my creativity and awareness have flourished now that I’m no longer in a corporate environment. At first, I was worried about not having a team to bounce ideas off of anymore. But I've found that I'm more sure of myself and what I do in my business. I believe this is because everything I do is based on my own values and expression of who I am (which I now know with so much clarity). 

As a side note, I want to highlight that operating independently doesn't mean I'm isolated. I've established a supportive network of fellow coaches and healing practitioners with whom I collaborate and learn. This balance allows me to receive support while maintaining a strong sense of independence. 

3. How would you define "holistic" in the context of life and work?

Kristy: My passion for the external environment led me to complex studies of the internal environment, which gave me a unique perspective on health and life. Because of that, I look at everything from an ecosystem perspective, and I have coined the term “inner health ecosystem.” 

By combining scientific and complementary health techniques in a personalized format, I developed a unique approach so my clients maintain a harmonious inner health ecosystem. This approach is holistic in the highest sense of the word, as harmony among your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual bodies is only possible when the entire ecosystem is considered.  

In this context, you absolutely have to include luxury, which is the missing link in the holistic community, in my opinion. Once my clients understand that luxury (and what that TRULY means) is the missing piece, everything changes for them. They have more energy, better nervous systems, and self-acceptance, which sets them up for more success personally and professionally.  

Rebecca: Holistic living is all about looking at life and work in a big-picture way, understanding that everything is interconnected. In my coaching practice, I adhere to the principles that address each person's mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical parts. 

With clients, we dig deep to uncover the root causes of their challenges and find tools that work for them in the long run. It's about seeing clients as whole and complete and recognizing how everything in their lives affects each other. I see time and time again how this approach leads to meaningful changes and lasting transformation. 

4. How do you address common misconceptions or skepticism surrounding a holistic lifestyle?

Kristy: Herbs became my pathway to KNOWING myself and empowering my clients to reach their highest potential holistically. It was a journey for me, and my roots were in science and Western medicine, so I am deeply familiar with skepticism. Frankly, I was a skeptic until my mid-20s when alternative, complementary, and holistic approaches were my only option.

I was born a rebel (seriously, check out Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies book), and I get to have it all. The best of all worlds is a blend of energy (aka consciousness work), Western approaches, and herbal medicine. This is what I created for myself and what works best for my clients. If I left any one of those components out, I would not be as effective.  

If that brings out skepticism in someone, then we won’t work together.  

My ultimate vision is that everyone is free and empowered to make their own health choices while respecting the choices of others. There are options for every circumstance, and I encourage everyone to find someone that they feel safe and understood by so they can navigate their lives with ease and live in optimal health. 

Rebecca: I understand that not everyone may resonate with a holistic lifestyle. My approach involves voicing my perspective and the guiding principles of my coaching style and sharing all the wonderful, tangible results I've witnessed. 

However, I also respect individuals' perspectives and choices, recognizing that holistic living may not suit everyone. It's about honouring each person's journey and allowing them the space to explore what resonates with them. Maybe a holistic lifestyle isn’t a fit today, but perhaps our conversation will plant a seed that will grow within them over time. 

5. How do you integrate the principles of holistic living into your daily life?

Kristy: Luckily, I know my body’s signals, and I pay attention to her whispers before they become screams. As long as I honour my body, I am able to maintain my best health because, let’s face it, my personality remains highly driven.  I actually like that about myself - I am devoted to everything I do, including my clients.  

I don’t believe in the concept of balance.  I strive for alignment, which might look very “imbalanced” to someone else.  Staying in alignment for me means that I do not have to deal with migraines, mini-strokes, severe back pain, or a fluctuating digestive system.  WINS ALL AROUND!

My luxuries (the things that make my life meaningful and aligned) include daily snuggles with my cat, hot yoga, conversations with my closest friends, clothing made of natural materials, my husband's coffee, hiking and walking in nature, kayaking, and creating herbal plans for my clients. 

I also really love Dolly Parton and banjos. 

Rebecca: I have a very strong holistic well-being routine that I consistently and enjoyably follow.

This routine encompasses all four dimensions: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. It includes practices like mindful eating and exercise, journaling, meditation, seeking intuitive guidance, engaging my mind, and pursuing grounding and relaxing activities and hobbies.

My goal is to maintain joyful consistency rather than striving for perfection or overwhelming intensity. I advocate for and support this in my client work, too. 

6. Are there specific practices that can benefit individuals even in high-pressure corporate environments?

Kristy: Always, but they are completely individual.  

One thing that I notice is that everyone is susceptible to the latest trend or the 5 best tips in ….name the issue. Sadly, this is what keeps you stuck in the hustle—burnout loop.  

The secret is to find the person you resonate with and commit to them. Follow them, work with them, and apply to their programs. This is the best way to get long-lasting results so you can know the specifics for your body and your life without sacrificing luxury. 

Oh, and in a corporate environment, excuse yourself to go to the restroom and run your hands under cold water during stressful interactions.  

Rebecca: Absolutely! Individuals can manage stress and enhance performance in many ways, even in demanding corporate environments.

As a coach, I collaborate with clients to find activities and practices they genuinely enjoy and can consistently integrate into their daily lives. What works for me might not work for them, so it's about finding what resonates with them personally.

Together, we create a plan that aligns with their preferences, connects with them deeply, and is something they look forward to doing every day. 

7. What advice do you have for individuals looking to find a better balance in their lives?

Kristy: Take a moment to draw a circle on a piece of paper and divide it into four sections. Each section represents an aspect of your life. The categories can be work, connection (family and friends), health, and fun.

Within each section, write what activities make up each category.  Which pieces of the “pie” are filled vs. empty?  Under health, do you include mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects?  

This can be a convenient exercise to help you see the bigger picture of where you spend your time and energy. Do you want to make changes? If yes, find someone who will support you on your journey to better alignment.  


Rebecca: I support people in developing their awareness of what balance means to them so they can turn those insights into action. 

For example, I use frameworks like SAMHSA’s eight dimensions of well-being—covering areas like physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, occupational, social, financial, and environmental aspects—so we can dive into their understanding of their current perceptions of balance and define what their desired balance looks like. 

From there, we determine their specific goals and actions to fit their unique needs, circumstances, and desires. What I love most about the coaching process is that it truly supports people in action, planning, and accountability so they actually make tangible progress in achieving their goals. 

8. What's the legacy you want to leave through your holistic work and practice?

Kristy: I don’t think a ton about the legacy that I want to leave, but I am deeply committed to empowering my clients to feel safe and informed and to make the choices that are best for them. Without that level of personal autonomy, you can’t help but live in a place of fear, which is never good for your health or career.  

Rebecca: I help people move out of burnout, stress, and feeling stuck today and find their purposeful, passionate, and prosperous path for tomorrow.

To me, when we truly know who we are, we can then figure out what we want in life. I believe the world will be better when we all confidently share our unique gifts and talents.

Through my own journey of self-discovery and collaboration with clients, I aspire to create a positive ripple effect within both our local and global communities.

Dedicated Practitioners to Holistic Well-Being

As practitioners committed to holistic wellness, Kristy and I are dedicated to guiding individuals along their path to well-being and fulfillment. This is why I've chosen to engage in a dialogue with Kristy—to offer you an additional perspective on what it means for you to embrace holistic living.

Exploring Kristy's journey alongside mine, from the corporate world to holistic coaching, and delving into her insights on holistic coaching and lifestyle has been enriching. However, the primary aim is for you to feel a deeper connection to your own holistic choices. Our collaboration was intentional, showcasing the multifaceted approach inherent in holistic living.

Whether you seek holistic healing through customized herbal programs with Kristy or wish to enhance your well-being routine and experience more balance through working with me, finding the right coach who offers personalized support is paramount.

I highly value connections with fellow coaches and relish the opportunity to learn from our shared and diverse perspectives. I believe there's space for all of us, and by sharing Kristy's perspective, I enhance my own practice, ultimately empowering others to lead more holistic lives.

Here's how you can stay engaged with Kristy and her work:

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Facebook