Meet Kara Lay | Health Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Lay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
There is no magic formula to success and what has worked for me may not work for everyone. The habits that I feel have helped me succeed are: 1. Investing in yourself. And I mean truly investing in yourself. If there is something that you want to achieve, whether it is professionally or personally, put your mind to it and take the risk on yourself. There is no one in the world who will invest in you like you will invest in yourself. 2. Staying consistent. Habits take time to develop so be patient with yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day. It won’t be easy at first but it will get easier over time until it becomes second nature. Success isn’t built in a day and it is the product hard work and consistency. 3. Taking breaks. There is a common misconception in today’s world that success is made with all work and no rest. We all need some type of work-life balance. Taking the time to rest and recharge will help prevent burnout and can provide you with a fresh, new perspective.Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Currently I am work as a Health Coach at a Primary Care office specializing in Geriatrics. As Health Coaches, we are responsible for managing a panel of patients to help them meet their preventive, chronic, and acute health needs. We also play an active role in their health by providing them with tools necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices and adopt lifelong healthy behaviors. What makes me most excited about my work is being able to make a direct impact on the lives of patients. I enjoy being able to walk alongside patients on their health journey and witness the progress they make over time. Working with a vulnerable population in health care, especially during a pandemic, definitely comes with its challenges, however I find it to be immensely rewarding. Being able to utilize my background in Public Health to address barriers to care is another aspect that makes me excited about my work. One lesson I have learned along the way is the importance of being fully present with those around you. In today’s busy world, it’s easy to forget to do this. Giving someone your full attention without any distractions is something we often take for granted however it can be something so meaningful for another person, especially when they are going through a difficult time.Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend was visiting the area, I would take them to Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. In Downtown Phoenix, I would take them to Roosevelt Row for First Friday and the Japanese Friendship Garden. In Scottsdale, I would take them to Wonderspaces and Butterfly Wonderland. In Tempe, I would take them to Tempe Town Lake for a picnic and Papago Park for a sunset hike. Some of my favorite places food places are Nishikawa Ramen, Po Chicken, Reathrey Sekong, Leo’s Island BBQ, Tacos Tiquana, Tocaya Organica, Teacup, The Screamery, Miss Dessert, and Tous les Jours. For a mini road trip, I would take them to Sedona.The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family, friends, and mentors! I would not have succeeded without their support.

Instagram: karalayy

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kara-lay-mph-a8a865191

Image Credits
Danielle Ganon