Katrina Ramsey

Katrina Ramsey - "Hello, friends!!! My name is Katrina, and I’m a LOVER of life! And goats. And leftovers (for real, if you need leftovers to be eaten up, I hereby accept your invitation into your home). I promise all of you that one day (within the next 5 years) I will own at least 3 pygmy goats. But honestly, 3 feels like too few.. if two are a little cliquey, one will be left out. So this might be upped to 5. Anyway… I am passionately goofy and silly, and I fully believe in honoring the child that lives in me for the rest of my life. This means making jokes, talking in weird accents, scaring people every opportunity I get, and fort-building. I am a lover of self-development and chasing after more – more love, more happiness, more success, more generosity, MORE. It was apparent since my toddler years that anxiety and depression would be something I struggle with. I moved all the time, struggled to feel like I belonged or fit in anywhere, and struggled with any set of eyes being on me. I was crippled with self-doubt and a lack of self love. Today I’m a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and soon-to-be Certified Nutrition Coach, helping others find confidence in how their bodies move, feel, and function, as well as how they think about themselves and their lives..." Via www.callingkatrina.com (SISS) Hi Katrina, where are you from and where are you currently spending your time?  (Katrina)  I’m from a small town in Wisconsin, but have lived all over! I’ve lived in multiple cities around southern Wisconsin, as well as Alabama and most recently Hawaii! I moved back to Wisconsin from Hawaii in 2016; it feels like home here. I’m so happy, and I’m right where I belong for now!  (SISS) What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle?  (Katrina)  I would say the hardest thing I had to go through wasn’t just one situation or instance, but the 24-year journey to find happiness, hope, and purpose amidst the battles of Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I was constantly trying to control my life and what happened to me. I was trying to find happiness through accomplishments, titles, and the acceptance of other people. I felt no sense of self-worth or value, and was honestly hopeless.  It took me 24 years to experience true happiness, peace, and gratitude - feelings that bring me to tears every time I talk about them. I never knew a life like this was possible for me! My circumstances didn’t drastically change - I didn’t find new people to love me (like I used to think would bring happiness), I didn’t become an overnight success, and I didn’t figure out a way to control the world around me. Instead, I learned that my quality of life is controlled entirely by my thoughts. What matters is what I think about what happens to me, not what happens to me.  My advice to someone going through the same struggle is this: Even if you’ve never lived a positive or happy life in the past, you CAN; your struggles do not define who you are or what you are capable of. You will never be able to control the world or the people in it - people are fickle, fragile, and flawed, and they will let you down even when they try their best. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in, and know that each day, despite what happens, you are loved, cherished, and so valuable. There is no one else in the world who can contribute what you can - your individuality, your ideas, your unique thought patterns. When you feel stressed out, identify your negative thoughts, write them down, and refuse to believe them; REFUSE to entertain them. Replace them with affirming self-talk. Pray and meditate and take care of YOU! You matter. (SISS) Blogger | NASM Certified Personal Trainer | www.callingkatrina.com #SISS Tell us more… who is @katrina.being.happy and what are you most proud of?  (Katrina)  I am so many things! I’m a huge self-love advocate, a momma to a precious young lady, a Certified Personal Trainer, a huge dreamer, and a daughter of God! I am incredibly goofy and weird, and do odd little dances multiple times throughout the day! I believe whole-heartedly in spreading positivity and love, and in honoring the child we all once were! I also believe love is magic, miracles are everywhere, and that the only thing that stands believe us having dreams and actually achieving them is simply believing we are capable. I’m proud of so much in my life, but I think I’m most proud of attaining the greatest riches I possibly could - true joy, gratitude, and self-love. In truly loving myself, I’ve been able to give love more freely and abundantly than I ever thought possible.  (SISS) Finish this sentence, I have a dream… ?  (Katrina)  I have a dream to help other men and women find happiness and gratitude in the life they’ve been given! I will (manifestation, here!) write self-help and self-development books, speak at personal growth conferences, and help others find a faith in God - even with their imperfect lives, fears, and hesitations.  (SISS) What makes you the happiest? What is fun for you?  (Katrina)  What makes me the happiest is positively impacting others! Whether it’s through my writing, my career as a Certified Personal Trainer, or a simple and short interaction at the store. I’ll also be honest and say any kind of Mexican food makes my heart skip a beat!  Working out, writing, being in the sun, and spending time with my daughter are my idea of fun! I also love discussing goals and dreams, and the power we all have to make them a reality. I love board games, a nice summer day, and being inspired through reading, too! (SISS) How do you deal with disappointment? How do you Keep Going?  (Katrina)  I let myself feel disappointed and cry if I need to. And then I accept that what is meant to be mine will be. I remind myself that a “no” or “not yet” does not mean “never” or “you’re not worthy.” I choose to believe whole-heartedly that my time will come, and that God has a plan that’s perfectly suited for me!  (SISS) What is your superpower?  (Katrina)  My writing, emotions, and vulnerability! I’m able to relate to people on so many levels, and I am incredibly empathetic. I used to view it as a curse because I would absorb other people’s moods and energies, but now I realize that it gives me the ability to speak hope and encouragement into their hearts in a way that resonates with them!  (SISS) Finish the sentence, my life has gotten so much better since… ?  (Katrina)  Since I realized that the secret to happiness isn’t a secret at all; it’s always been up to me. I learned that you can’t have a positive life with a negative and toxic mind, and I have the power to control my thoughts. (SISS) Can you tell us four things people might not know about you?  (Katrina)  (1) I am a huge supporter of being environmentally conscious and reducing waste. (2) I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii! (3) I attended more than 10 different schools by the time I finished high school. (4) I was never athletic as a child or adolescent - I fell in love with weightlifting and fitness in my adulthood! I’m now a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and it’s what I do for work!  (SISS) Can you tell us where else can our readers follow your daily inspiration?  (Katrina)  Instagram is definitely my favorite social media platform, so follow along on my journey of spreading hope for a more fulfilled life at @katrina.being.happy! I also have a blog whose mission is to inspire and encourage women who struggle with self-love and finding purpose- visit it at callingkatrina.com! I pour my heart and soul into each and every blog post, and I promise to cherish every reader who spends their precious time absorbing my words!  (SISS) Got a Story to Tell? Can you tell us a quick story or moment/night of a relationship experience, a lesson learned? (This could be funny or serious).  (Katrina)  Through many instances and experiences in relationships, I learned that you cannot put all of your happiness and worth in one person. People are ever-changing - their moods, beliefs, energy. No matter how much someone loves you, they will let you down; no one is perfect! If you give yourself to someone so much that you lose who you are, you place way too much responsibility for your happiness on their shoulders. It’s unfair to them and it’s risky. Love yourself. Prioritize yourself, too. Find your value in who you are as an individual.  (SISS) What’s your favorite quote?  (Katrina)  Oh, this is so difficult! Did I mention how incredibly indecisive I am?!  So, yes, it took me a solid 8 minutes to decide on this, but I have to go with “Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is what you will manifest on the outside.” You are what you believe!  (SISS) At Smart is so sexy we love to see women who are thriving in their career or business. What are you most passionate about?  (Katrina)  Showing others that there is more to life - they can experience more fulfillment, more happiness, more hope, and more peace than they ever knew possible. All they need is right inside them, they just have to figure out how to access it! This applies to self-love, achieving their goals, becoming healthier versions of themselves physically, and more!  (SISS) Who was the most influential person in your life and why?  (Katrina)  She still is, but 100% my daughter. I have the privilege of raising a little girl who will turn into a world-changing adult one day! She’s my legacy. She’s my motivation for keeping my promises, doing what’s right even if it’s the hard path, and never settling.  (SISS) Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self?  (Katrina)  My heart hurts just thinking of this, because I was so lost and broken. I would first give her a big hug and tell her that she is loved and valued beyond anything she can comprehend right now. I would tell her to just keep fighting for better. She ultimately figured out the key to happiness and how to change her life from the inside out, and that journey was vital to writing her story. So the advice I would give to 5-years-younger me? Keep going. Keep fighting for happiness. Sweet soul, you will get it. It will all be worth it. You will find God, you will find self-love, and you will love the world more than you ever thought possible.  (SISS) Can you take us through a typical day? From Waking up to going to bed, Can you give us a play by play of a typical day for you?  (Katrina)  I wake up 30 minutes earlier than I need to each day to spend time slowly drinking coffee in bed, reading, praying, and journaling about what I’m grateful for! This morning routine has truly changed my days. I wrote a whole blog post about it because I believe in it so deeply!  Then I wake my daughter up, hop in the shower, and get ready! I drop my sweet girl off at school then head to the gym I work at! As a personal trainer, my daily schedule varies based on client needs/their schedules, but I work 1st shift Monday-Friday! I squeeze in my own workouts between clients 2-3 days per week! I pick up my daughter after work, cook dinner, and work on my blog (writing definitely takes the longest and just can’t be forced since I need it to come directly from the heart; it has to feel right - the timing of the message and the emotions conveyed!). Then, as we get ready for bed, we play a board or card game. Literally almost every night - typically Uno, Candyland, or Sorry! We love games! I tuck my daughter in, then crawl into my bed to end the night with hot tea and honey, reading Christian books/praying, and maybe spend far too long on Pinterest designing my dream home lol! I will add that what this description of my typical day leaves out is my smiles, laughter, weird dancing, moments of sadness (this will forever be a struggle for me), positive self-talk, missing my daughter even though I see her everyday, wishing for more babies, and just being grateful for everyone I have in my life! It’s a little bit all over the place, but that’s just who I am - I’ll never fit into a neat little box or be easily described. I am too many things!  (SISS) What is your favorite book and/or the latest one you’ve read?  (Katrina)  It’s so hard to pick just one, but I’d say Rachel Hollis’s “Girl, Stop Apologizing”! It lit a fire under my butt and helped cement by belief in my own dreams!  (SISS) What would be a good theme song for your life?  (Katrina)  1000% it’s “Rise Up” by Andra Day. This will be my anthem forever - from me, to me. I promise you that you won’t regret listening to this song. I hope it can be your anthem, too!  (SISS) When do you feel the sexiest?  (Katrina)  There are two times: When I’m all done up - my hair blown out and curled, my makeup done, contacts in, and a pair of cute heel booties on. Then, when I simply brush my teeth, floss, and wash my face at night. Seeing my clean skin, sparkly teeth, and peaceful, tired eyes before bed just makes me feel so content, relaxed, and in love with myself. I feel sexiest when I am in touch with my soul.  (SISS) Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow?  (Katrina)  There are a few! Rachel Hollis is my best friend, and I don’t care that she doesn’t even know it! She’s hilarious, energetic, and loud like me, and she’s trailblazing her way through this world! Also, Jenna Kutcher, who is an entrepreneur, educator, and avid support of goal-chasing women. Her soul is confident yet gentle, and she is so generous with her knowledge and life lessons!  (SISS) What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you?  (Katrina)  To me, it means that confidence, self-awareness, tenacity, generosity, kindness, and having a loving spirit is what makes a person truly sexy. Having goals and dreams, a desire to learn, and an eager spirit add to it! It means that what makes us sexy has nothing to do with what can be seen on the outside. (SISS) Thank you Katrina you have an amazing blog, Keep Going #SISS