“When life is not working out, start within."
Kat Smith, Model/Actor, Inspiring TedX Speaker, Author, and Resilient Survivor is available for Speaking Engagements and Media Interviews.
I began my modeling career at 17 years of age. I progressed to voice-over and commercials then landed a co-hosting spot on ABC Radio’s Classic Rhythm and Blues format. I continued to work and landed my first movie role as an Amazonian (rightfully so for my height) and have done dozens of industrial films, documentary narration, and many television commercials and print jobs.
My journey with self-discovery and healing started after I decided to pursue a deep understanding of human behavior. While I did earn my doctorate and counseled couples and individuals suffering sexual trauma, I’ve never been fond of labels. My listeners and clients enjoy my happy-go-lucky and “can do” attitude, approachable aura, encouraging smile, and love for seeing others succeed – personally, socially, and emotionally.
I firmly believe that negative emotions serve no purpose in life. That’s why you’ll notice I’m always so calm, which surprises a lot of people when finding out that I’m an abuse survivor. Here’s the thing. If someone calls you fat, you have two choices. One: To run away and cry. Two: To stand your ground and CHOOSE to be the bigger person.
I managed to singlehandedly peel myself out of the shadows of a life of abuse, rising from the ashes to turn my life around. Now, I’m paying it forward – helping others thrive through life remodeling and restoration – (I mean a total gut job) with themselves and others. Life is all about living life on your terms, after all. I want to help you rebuild and renovate your career, relationships, and overall life.
You must CHOOSE to ignore the negativity brewing inside you. CHOOSE to pick up the pen and start writing your own future. As Doris Day once said, “Whatever will be, will be.” If something messes with your flow, show ‘that something’ who’s boss, and take back the reins.
As a survivor, I’ve survived countless challenges and obstacles that life has thrown my way, something my present-day success boils down to. Nelson Mandela once said, “Glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” (Love that man). If you trip and fall, and 1000 people start laughing, what will help the situation more? To stay on the ground and cry, or to get up and laugh along? I don’t take myself that seriously, and neither should you. With that in mind, I have again re-entered the world of acting and modeling at the ripe age of 62. What a ride!
My work and adventures have taken me all over; – being featured on various national, regional, and local television shows, radio broadcasts, and print media. In fact, I’ve even given a TEDx talk – a lifelong dream for countless visionaries worldwide. My achievements just keep propelling me forward and inspiring me to do more and be more not only for myself but for my followers and audiences too.
Self Imposed Friendship Responsibility
Welcome to a New Series of posts I am branding as EVOLution. Evolving in love. I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of freedom. A weight had been lifted. I have shared before that we as humans have a tendency to talk ourselves into relationships and that includes friendships. Once there we self-impose responsibilities for those people. We take responsibility for maintaining the friend/relationship even if it is not a healthy one. We tell ourselves, “Oh that is just him/her.” We overlook behaviors like selfishness or neediness and allow them to treat us in ways that don’t quite settle right in our spirit. Well, I use the quote by Maya Angelou, “When people show you who they are believe them.” Someone I had known for around…