Today we’d like to introduce you to Krysten Griggs.
Hi Krysten, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A Chicago native, the eldest of nine children, and a recent transplant to the DFW metroplex, I am often asked to share my story—and my first thought is always, Where do I begin? When I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the adversity that shaped me into the tenacious, fierce, and unstoppable woman I am today. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago as the eldest daughter, I became the first in my family to attend college on a full scholarship. While this opportunity was life-changing, being a first-generation college student was also one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of my life.
During my undergraduate years, I faced homelessness, food insecurity, and academic instability due to a lack of support. I slept in my car, struggled to afford gas, and at times drove more than 340 miles each week from Allendale, Michigan, to Chicago just to ensure I had a place to sleep at night. On the days I could not make the drive, my car became my refuge so I could still make it to class the next morning. Despite these obstacles—and graduating with a 2.38 GPA—I refused to quit. Finishing my degree remains one of the happiest and proudest moments of my life.
Those experiences ignited a lifelong mission: to support individuals from disadvantaged communities as they pursue their educational and professional goals. That mission became the foundation of my career in higher education, client success, and consulting.
After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I pursued a Master’s in Applied Psychology to enter a field that offered both versatility and impact. Determined to rewrite the narrative of my undergraduate experience, I completed this degree with a 4.0 GPA while working full-time. I also committed to continuing my education to set an example for my siblings—many of whom have since earned Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees of their own. I will never forget a dinner with my younger brother, who later earned his MBA, when he said, “If I never saw you do it, I would’ve never thought it was possible.” That moment nearly brought me to tears.
Following my academic achievements, I launched multiple businesses across credit consulting, wealth building, options trading, stocks, educational consulting, and resilience and capacity-building coaching. Alongside these ventures, I held a full-time role as an advising consultant at an educational consulting firm, where I consistently achieved the highest departmental conversion rates. I negotiated major partnerships, hosted virtual events featuring executives from Meta, Boeing, and Airbnb, and spearheaded the development of a multi-million-dollar charter that grew a leadership organization’s membership from 5,000 to over 25,000 in under three years.
Motivated by these milestones, I earned a second Master’s degree in Business Administration and Strategy Management, graduating with high honors. Since completing my first Master’s, I have also obtained certifications in project management, advanced and executive leadership, resilience and capacity building, and emotional intelligence. In response to evolving industry demands, I am now pursuing certifications in Cybersecurity, with the goal of transitioning into a full-time Customer Success or Client Success Management role—building on a career that has helped generate millions in profit and revenue for organizations.
Beyond my professional and academic pursuits, my work as a keynote speaker has allowed me to share my story with thousands. Most recently, I was selected as an adjunct professor of psychology, where I have the privilege of inspiring undergraduate students with the lessons I have learned along the way. I have also modeled for several organizations, with my work featured in an art gallery exhibition that raised funds for survivors of domestic violence.
My story is one of grit and hardship, joy and grace—marked by both failures and triumphs. I encourage anyone reading this to take the risk, start the business, pursue the degree, make the move, and do the thing that scares you. I firmly believe that your past does not determine your direction, and at any moment you choose to change your life, you have the power to do so.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a child, my family did not have much, and there were many days when we could not afford electricity, food, or other necessities such as shoes and clothing. I vividly remember warming water on the stove and using the steam to straighten a wrinkled shirt because our electricity had been shut off. My mother could only afford one pair of shoes for my siblings and me, which we wore for an entire year—enduring Chicago’s subzero temperatures, trudging through icy snow and blizzards. I also remember never knowing if I would have a place to sleep, as my family faced constant evictions.
The accomplishments I have achieved have not come without significant challenges. In addition to growing up in a household where our basic needs were often unmet, the environment was abusive and deeply dysfunctional. I endured repeated acts of physical violence from my father, experienced traumatic incidents involving my mother, and was later ostracized after leaving the church in which I was raised due to abuse occurring there as well. Unfortunately, abuse became a recurring theme in my life. While I was an undergraduate student, I experienced sexual assault by someone I was dating. After a fun night with friends, I awoke to a nonconsensual encounter. I never shared this with anyone out of fear of judgment. I was grateful to have survived, but the violation devastated me. My grades suffered, and I struggled deeply with depression.
After graduating and moving back to Chicago, IL, I entered a relationship with someone who initially appeared loving and safe, but that illusion quickly shattered. I barely escaped that relationship with my life, as my ex-partner, in a fit of rage, slammed my head into the bedroom wall and tortured me for several months during our time living together as a couple. I can still remember the final night of his attack vividly, running through the halls screaming for help as no one came to my aid. He chased me, shouting obscenities, grabbing me, spitting in my face, vandalizing the entire apartment, and destroying every item I owned. He was later arrested and spent several months in jail. While in that moment, I felt I had lost everything, I am grateful to have escaped with my life.
Although this experience was deeply horrifying, it ignited my passion for advocacy and mental health support. I went on to become a Domestic Violence Advocate, traveling to local hospitals to support sexual assault survivors—holding their hands as they recounted their experiences with police, walking them through what their options were after the incidents, and offering words of comfort during these incredibly challenging moments. I also became a Domestic Violence Ambassador, gaining 60 Hours of certified training on domestic violence education and sexual assault victim advocacy, while simultaneously attending community health fairs to educate the public about intimate partner violence and domestic abuse.
Since then, I have supported countless survivors, helping them escape dangerous situations and responding to late-night calls to intervene when lives were at risk. During my time in Dallas, I was nominated and selected as the first-ever Board Chair of the Voices Committee for one of the largest Family Justice Centers in Fort Worth, Texas. I have delivered numerous speeches advocating for first-generation students and domestic violence survivors, sharing platforms with elected officials and the Mayor of Fort Worth.
My successes, however, have continued to come with challenges. Despite this, I remain in awe of my God-given strength. I am deeply grateful for God’s grace, granting me not only life but the ability to experience joy after surviving abuse, homelessness, stalking, sexual assault, childhood trauma, and ostracization. We were never meant to do life alone, and having God and the people He has placed in my life has been truly transformative.
I have been blessed to travel around the world, meeting incredible people, sharing my story, and being living proof that with God, anything is possible. I am currently preparing to apply to law school, with the goal of deepening my advocacy work and influencing the laws and policies that impact survivors. I remain committed to expanding my advocacy, growing my brand and businesses, and giving back to the community that has been instrumental in shaping my resilience, perseverance, and endurance.
In 2020, after launching my businesses and before moving to Texas, I contracted COVID-19 and was ill for three months. The long-term effects of the virus were so severe that I was forced to close my businesses at the time. This year, however, I have begun rebuilding—restarting my business with renewed purpose and hope as I re-enter my entrepreneurial journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
With certifications in resilience, leadership, and capacity building, advanced degrees in psychology and business, coupled with the challenging experiences I have overcome, my business aims to instruct and help individuals understand that there is life after trauma. Illuminate Your Pathway was created to empower individuals to rise above their circumstances and step confidently into their fullest potential, no matter their life story or background. At Illuminate Your Pathway, resilience is not just taught, it is cultivated through proven, personalized strategies that strengthen mindset, clarity, and confidence. Clients are guided to uncover their purpose, break through limiting beliefs, and transform uncertainty into intentional action. This work goes beyond surface-level motivation and focuses on creating sustainable change in leadership capacity, financial awareness, and lifelong personal growth. When a client chooses Illuminate Your Pathway, they are choosing to invest in themselves, their future, and their ability to lead their lives with clarity and courage. Every session is customized and designed to meet clients where they are and to help them expand what they believe is possible for their lives. In partnering with Illuminate Your Pathway, clients are not simply receiving a service they are stepping into a life-changing opportunity to evolve, elevate, and thrive.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have been blessed to come across so many who have been impactful in my life. In my professional pursuits, I have had the wonderful opportunity to receive mentorship from the likes of C-Suite executives of billion-dollar companies, accomplished authors, vocal coaches who have provided mentorship to the likes of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, and Patty Labelle, and high-performance coaches who have studied under the likes of Tony Robbins. I’ve attended countless networking events and leadership forums, surrounded by an arsenal of compelling and brilliant people. If you are in search of a mentor, and you find my story compelling…let’s connect! Finding a mentor is a vital skill and can be the difference in gaining access to a life-changing opportunity. If there’s someone you admire, invite them for a quick cup of coffee, ask them to lunch, take the risk, and start the conversation today!
There have been so many who have positively impacted my journey and have been God-given gifts to help me overcome the traumas I’ve experienced. I want to give a special shout-out to my therapist, Lauren, who was vital in my recovery after my domestic violence and experiences with sexual assault. Had God not placed her in my path, I can not say if I would still be alive today.
In a world where trauma tends to make others bitter, I have chosen to become better. Every day I choose to show up for the little girl from Chicago, who hustled to make sure her siblings had more than one pair of shoes and school supplies, who creatively used microwaved steam water to iron a shirt, the first-gen college student who had no clue which class to choose as a first time college student, or the terrified girl who ran for her life from an abusive ex who sought to take her life. I choose to show up every day, knowing that no matter what, with God on my side, I can accomplish anything. I want to continue to be a light to others, letting them know that there is life and hope, no matter your trauma. You can always begin again and find ways to illuminate your greatness from within.
If someone had told me as a kid that I’d have the opportunity to be an entrepreneur, a consultant, have several college degrees, countless certifications, actively apply to law, and travel the world, I would never have imagined it so. That little girl I once was, I’m sure, would beam with pride if she could see me now, and I am eager to continue to make her proud.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.illuminate-yourpathway.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentically.kayg/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystenagriggs/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@savethis4l8ter
