Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Jorgensen.
Kari, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, I did all the “right” things. I grew up in church, was a college athlete, graduated top of my class with an MBA, ambitiously sought a career in business, bought a home, got married. We went on trips, bought fancy things, hosted parties, and chased all the things the world says will make you happy. Then, life happened. I was living in Chicago and my now ex-husband and I were in a toxic work environment that led to multiple lawsuits, one of which involved him being retaliated against as a whistleblower and resulted in a prison sentence.
During that time, I thought our marriage was strong and while he was pretty up and down emotionally during the time in prison, I was determined to not become a statistic and let our lives crumble. But after he was released and we were trying to rebuild our lives where his family lives in Oklahoma, he told me he had been talking to a woman from high school the whole time he was in prison. After overcoming life with the FBI, courts, and prison systems, forgiving him for that and fixing our marriage seemed pretty easy in my mind. But as I learned the hard way, you can’t control the decisions of others and we ended up divorcing.
I’ve always been a positive person, but through that time when my circumstances would suggest I should have no joy, I learned how to find joy and peace and it led me to discover my purpose on this earth.
Three years ago, I moved to Dallas and while I’ve thrived in my career in corporate healthcare, as life progressed, I learned that my calling is so much more. I’m blessed to have an amazing team and know that I’m helping very sick people at the end of the day, but I’m more thankful that it allows me the ability to use what God’s taught me through my story to invest in and empower others.
In July of 2018, I started a blog to share many of the life lessons I learned. I firmly believe that when you shine a light on the darkness of your struggles it strips them of their power. While my circumstances will differ from those of others, I wanted to share the dark places I had been to create a safe space that was free from judgment and would show others they could attain the joy and peace I found. I knew that if my life was going to be turned upside down, I didn’t want my struggle to be wasted. I wanted to let God use me and my story to help others.
Then, in late 2018, while I was in spin class (I do my best thinking during my workouts), my mind got really clear and I heard God saying that my next step was to teach. At that moment, I was filled with memories of how my fitness instructors got me through some of the hardest days of my life. Be it lyrics to a song, a smile, or telling me I was strong, it encouraged me to know I’d be okay and could overcome. I thought about the times I would walk into yoga, fighting back tears from the stress and unknowns I faced with my future, to most recently as a rider at Full Psycle, seeing how achieving physical goals in class was a catalyst for everything I could do in my life.
As I reflected on that, I felt God unveiling how I could combine three of my biggest passions – fitness, empowering others, and music together into one. I left class that day, applied to teach at Full Psycle, and now teaching class is the favorite part of my day.
Every January, I also lead a group called Single Space. Single Space was something a mentor of mine in Oklahoma City began and one of the first things that started speaking life back into me when I felt hopeless and was full of anxiety. Single Space is a 4-week journey to kick off the start of the year focused on the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs is about wisdom. When you seek wisdom, you learn your “why”, and how to make better choices when it comes to dating and life. As a Christian, I believe there is truth in God’s word, and when you understand what it means, you can better trust God’s plan for your love and realize how much he loves you. It melts away the anxiety and is the key to peace and joy. Single Space had such an impact on my life that when I moved to Dallas, I started a chapter here. Single ladies, look for the next round in January 2020!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Previous to this journey, I was that beautiful girl who didn’t know it. Half the time, I hated how I looked, thought I was fat, would cry over a bad hair day. I would consider an evening “ruined” if every last detail didn’t go just right or I didn’t get the perfect picture. There’s nothing wrong wanting to look good or have a good time, but if you’re not clear on your “why” and think joy is dependent upon your circumstances, I caution you.
Unfortunately, I had to go through a lot of pain to find my “why”, but I’ll always have gratitude for the struggle and heartbreak because it got me to where I am today. I’ve experienced firsthand what it feels like to heal, and through that, learned how much our mental, physical, and spiritual states are all connected.
You can work out as much as you want, eat as healthy as possible, get all the Botox, filler, and plastic surgery available, but until you get your head right, know who you are, and believe the truth about yourself, you’ll never have that sense of peace you long for so badly.
As I’ve learned these truths, it’s become my passion to share them with others so they can find the same peace and joy and live their best life. My mission is to help others, particularly women, know how to overcome and what to believe about themselves while loving their life in the process. Be that from a blog post, a single space meeting, or from up on the podium at Full Psycle, I want you to know that you’re loved, you’re strong, and you’re not alone.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
At a young age, I had my life turned upside down and learned what really mattered in terms of creating a life of peace and joy. I believe God allowed me to go through what I did so I can now share that wisdom and build confidence in others. I want to be known for being a light, an encourager, and showing God’s love to others.
I think too many times we think that when we reach some external goal or set of circumstances (when I lose 30 lbs, when I get married, when I finish school), we will then feel the peace and joy we hope to find. Circumstances can make life easier and more fun, but they aren’t what bring true joy. And that chase will end in emptiness if you don’t address the underlying state of your mind. Who do you believe you are? Where do you place your confidence? In my life, I’ve found this is putting my faith in Jesus, a savior who loves me unconditionally and will redeem everything awful in my life, including the self-inflicted parts.
I love helping others achieve their goals, lose weight, get in shape, and find the things that inspire joy and purpose in their lives. While all of those things are worthy, I can’t emphasize enough how on their own they will eventually turn empty without a foundation of faith in our Creator. I believe each of us was created with a purpose and the best way to discover that purpose is to ask, know, and learn from your Creator.
While I spend my days in corporate healthcare, my side gigs are what currently light my soul on fire. I have a blog, karijorgensen.life and I’m a cycling instructor at Full Psycle. While our details may differ, we are all a lot more connected than we think. We all have fears, feel inadequate, and worry we aren’t making the right choices. Through my blog and being on the podium in the cycling studio, I want to inspire you to know you’re not alone and you’re stronger than you think you are.
Your life may shift and take turns you never wanted or anticipated, but you can overcome and create a story that’s more beautiful than anything you previously could have imagined. I want to inspire people. I want someone to be able to say, because of you I didn’t give up. None of this is about me, but me being a vessel by which I deliver a message that others can overcome, find peace, and love their life despite their circumstances. From personal experience, I know that the smallest things can make large impacts and it lights my soul on fire to have the platform to change lives.
I love fitness. I want you to reach your goals and get in shape, but the reason I do this is so much more. All of it applies to your life. If I can show you you’re strong on a bike, that you can push through resistance, to go on when you think you have nothing left, I know it will carry over into your life. It will build your confidence. It will show you that you can still achieve on your worst days, that when it feels like two steps forward and one step back, you’re still moving forward. My favorite days with riders are when they hit PRs and achieve things they never thought possible. I see the sense of accomplishment and confidence it inspires and it puts a smile on my face to know they can apply those same principles and dedication out in the world fulfilling their potential of all they were created to be.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are too many to name. If our paths have crossed, don’t underestimate how your smallest act of thoughtfulness or encouraging word impacted my life and was exactly what I needed at that moment.
As it relates to my latest endeavor, my fitness instructors in Chicago, Oklahoma City, and Dallas whose smiles, encouragement, and playlists helped me overcome and pushed me to become the woman I am today.
Contact Info:
- Address: Full Psycle Dallas
2650 N Fitzhugh Ave #120
Dallas, TX 75024 - Website: www.fullpsycle.com, www.karijorgensen.life
- Email: karijorgensen28@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Brittney Overstreet, Kate Crangle, Emmanuel Kharisma
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