A Conversational Interview with Kristy Garnet & Rebecca Visser
In today's world of buzzwords, catchphrases, and trends around holistic options, connecting with people who share similar journeys can provide amazing connections and insights. Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with Rebecca Visser, a holistic life and business coach and the founder of Crescent Coaching.
Rebecca's journey mirrors my own, as we both transitioned from corporate roles to embrace holistic practices so we could create the life we were longing to have. While my focus lies more in empowering high achievers to incorporate luxury into their life philosophy and partner with the body so they can elevate their professional & personal status and liberate their achievements from health limitations, I see Rebecca's coaching approach centring more on helping people achieve balance across all dimensions of their well-being.
In our conversation, Rebecca and I both answered eight questions about our journeys, discussed our similarities and differences in how we’ve built our practice, provided our perspectives on holistic well-being, and described what influences our coaching styles.
Our shared experiences and varied viewpoints underscore the significance of seeing your own freedom in others’ holistic journeys.
1st - Let’s Dive In to Connect With Each Other's Personal Journey
My journey into holistic living…
began long before I bid farewell to the corporate world in the early 2000s. As a Biology graduate student outside Washington DC, my fascination with nature was unparalleled, an enduring passion that shaped my life's trajectory. Yet, despite my profound connection to the environment, my own health remained a separate concern until a pivotal moment altered everything.
Amidst the rigours of academia and the pursuit of environmental conservation, I neglected the subtle signs of impending health crises until I found myself in the ER. Diagnosed with abnormal migraines leading to mini-strokes, I realized I lacked the tools for holistic self-care beyond conventional medicine's scope. Desperate for a more comprehensive approach, I delved into natural health modalities, despite initial fears of sacrificing my modern lifestyle for holistic practices.
Rebecca’s journey…
began with experiencing intense stress, burnout, and feeling disconnected in work and life. Over five years, I focused on healing my nervous system and getting to know myself better—my values, interests, and how I see the world.
This process helped me rediscover my true self and the path I wanted to walk. I started making small changes and progressing in my new direction, like taking courses and building my business outside my full-time job. Then, when I was let go in 2023, it became clear that I needed to embrace my new direction fully.
In my holistic coaching journey, I've learned the importance of being myself, valuing freedom, and using my skills to help others become their best selves. Honestly, this has been such a rewarding, liberating, and life-changing experience so far!
What changes have you noticed in yourself since leaving corporate?
Kristy’s Experiences:
Being in the corporate world for nearly two decades, I can appreciate the pressures of that career path. We want to do it all – look good, feel good, and continue to be successful professionally. Sadly, our physical and emotional health often takes a backseat to everything AND everyone else.
I understand this completely as I did this for many years and instead of pivoting and starting a new business, I added to my plate and built my business while working full time. It is what I understand AND I was able to keep my health optimal because I was passionate about herbal medicine.
To say I was BUSY is a bit of an understatement.
I would see clients on the weekends and evenings, but eventually I worked my way into a schedule where the corporate world was part time (3 days a week) for nearly 4 years. I quit 3 different times, but I found new reasons to stay and my employer at the time valued me.
It actually was great for my business in the long run as I completely understood the corporate world and my co-workers would often become my clients as they were seeking more energy and work-life balance.
To answer your question, once I finally left I felt so much spaciousness. My husband says I became a more patient and nicer person to be around too. 🙂
Rebecca’s Transformations:
Leaving the corporate world has been transformative for me in many ways. Like I mentioned, running my own business has allowed me to cultivate a greater sense of freedom, autonomy, and authenticity.
Surprisingly, I've discovered that my creativity and awareness have flourished now that I’m no longer in a corporate environment. At first, I was worried about not having a team to bounce ideas off of anymore. But I've found that I'm more sure of myself and what I do in my business. I believe this is because everything I do is based on my own values and expression of who I am (which I now know with so much clarity).
As a side note, I want to highlight that operating independently doesn't mean I'm isolated. I've established a supportive network of fellow coaches and healing practitioners I collaborate with and learn from. This balance allows me to receive support while maintaining a strong sense of independence.
3. How would you define "holistic" in the context of life and work?
Kristy’s Definition:
My passion for the external environment led me into the complex studies of the internal environment to give me a unique perspective on health and life. Because of that I look at everything from an ecosystem perspective and I have coined the term “inner health ecosystem”.
By combining scientific & complementary health techniques in a personalized format I developed a unique approach so my clients maintain a harmonious inner health ecosystem. This approach is holistic in the highest sense of the word as the harmony among your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual bodies is only possible when the entire ecosystem is considered.
From this context you absolutely have to include luxury, which is the missing link in the holistic community in my opinion. Once my clients understand that luxury (and what that TRULY means) is the missing piece, everything changes for them and they have more energy, better nervous systems, and self acceptance which sets them up for more success personally and professionally.
Rebecca’s Definition:
Holistic living is all about looking at life and work in a big-picture way, understanding that everything is interconnected. In my coaching practice, I adhere to the principles that address each person's mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical parts.
With clients, we dig deep to uncover the root causes of their challenges and find tools that work for them in the long run. It's about seeing clients as whole and complete and recognizing how everything in their lives affects each other. I see time and time again how this approach leads to meaningful changes and lasting transformation.
4. How do you address common misconceptions or skepticism surrounding a holistic lifestyle?
Kristy’s Perspective:
Herbs became my pathway to KNOWING myself as well as empowering my clients in reaching their highest potential holistically. It was a journey for me and my roots were in science and western medicine so I am deeply familiar with skepticism. Frankly, I was a skeptic until my mid 20s when alternative, complimentary, and holistic approaches were my only option.
I was born a rebel (seriously check out The Four Tendencies book by Gretchen Rubin) and I get to have it all. The best of all worlds is a blend of energy (aka consciousness work), western approaches, and herbal medicine. This is what I created for myself and what works best for my clients. If I left any one of those components out, I would not be as effective.
If that brings out skepticism in someone, then we won’t work together.
My ultimate vision is that everyone is free and empowered to make their own health choices while respecting the choices of others. There are options for every circumstance and I encourage everyone to find someone that they feel safe and understood by so they can navigate their lives with ease and live in optimal health.
Rebecca’s Perspective:
I understand that not everyone may resonate with a holistic lifestyle. My approach involves voicing my perspective, the guiding principles of my coaching style, and sharing all the wonderful, tangible results I've witnessed.
However, I also respect individuals' perspectives and choices, recognizing that holistic living may not suit everyone. It's about honouring each person's journey and allowing them the space to explore what resonates with them. Maybe a holistic lifestyle isn’t a fit today, but perhaps our conversation will plant a seed that will grow within them over time.
5. How do you integrate the principles of holistic living into your daily life?
The Way Kristy Walks Her Talk…
Luckily I know my body’s signals and I pay attention to her whispers before they become screams. As long as I honor my body, I am able to maintain my best health because let’s face it, my personality remains highly driven. I actually like that about myself - I am devoted to everything I do including my clients.
I don’t believe in the concept of balance. I strive for alignment, which might look very “imbalanced” to someone else. Staying in alignment for me means that I do not have to deal with migraines, mini strokes, severe back pain, or a fluctuating digestive system. WINS ALL AROUND!
My luxuries (the things that make my life meaningful and aligned) include daily snuggles with my cat, hot yoga, conversations with my closest friends, clothing made of natural materials, my husband's coffee, hiking and walking in nature, kayaking, and creating herbal plans for my clients.
I also really love Dolly Parton and banjos.
The Way Rebecca Walks Her Talk…
I have a very strong holistic well-being routine that I consistently and enjoyably follow. This routine encompasses all four dimensions: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. It includes practices like mindful eating and exercise, journaling, meditation, seeking intuitive guidance, engaging my mind, and pursuing grounding and relaxing activities and hobbies. My goal is to maintain joyful consistency rather than striving for perfection or overwhelming intensity. This is something that I advocate for and support within my client work too.
6. Are there specific practices that can benefit individuals even in high-pressure corporate environments?
Kristy’s Approach:
There are ALWAYS specific practices you can use, BUT the key for them to work is knowing who you are from an individual perspective.
One thing that I notice is that everyone is susceptible to the latest trend or the 5 best tips in ….name the issue. Sadly, this is what keeps you stuck in the hustle - burn out loop.
The secret is to find the person you resonate with and commit. Follow them, work with them, and apply to their programs. This is the best way to get long lasting results so you can know the specifics for your body and your life without sacrificing luxury.
Oh and in a corporate environment, excuse yourself to go to the restroom and run your hands under cold water during stressful interactions.
Rebecca’s Approach:
Individuals can manage stress and enhance performance in many ways, even in demanding corporate environments.
As a coach, I collaborate with clients to find activities and practices they genuinely enjoy and can consistently integrate into their daily lives. What works for me might not work for them, so it's about finding what resonates with them personally.
Together, we create a plan that aligns with their preferences, connects with them deeply, and is something they look forward to doing every day.
7. What advice do you have for individuals looking to find a better balance in their life?
Kristy’s Recommendation:
Take a moment and draw a circle on a piece of paper and divide it into 4 sections. Each section represents an aspect of your life. The categories can be:
Work
Connection (Family & Friends)
Health
Fun
Write within each section what activities make up each category. Which pieces of the “pie” are filled vs. empty? Under health are you including mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects?
This can be a convenient exercise to get you started on seeing a bigger picture of where you put your time and energy. Do you want to make changes? If yes, then find someone that will support you on your journey to better alignment.
Rebecca’s Recommendation:
I support people in developing their awareness of what balance means to them so they can turn those insights into action.
For example, I use frameworks like SAMSHA’s eight dimensions of well-being—covering areas like physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, occupational, social, financial, and environmental aspects—so we can dive into their understanding of their current perceptions of balance and define what their desired balance looks like.
From there, we figure out their specific goals and actions to fit their unique needs, circumstances, and desires. What I love most about the coaching process is that it truly supports people in action, planning, and accountability so they actually make tangible progress in what they want to achieve.
8. What's the legacy you want to leave through your holistic work and practice?
Kristy’s Bigger Picture:
I don’t think a ton about the legacy that I want to leave, but I am deeply committed to empowering my clients to feel safe and informed to make the choices that are best for them. Without that level of personal autonomy you can’t help but live from a place of fear which is never good for your health or career.
Rebecca’s Bigger Picture:
I help people move out of burnout, stress, and feeling stuck today and find their purposeful, passionate, and prosperous path for tomorrow.
To me, when we truly know who we are, we can then figure out what we want in life. I believe the world will be better when we all confidently share our unique gifts and talents.
Through my own journey of self-discovery and collaboration with clients, I aspire to create a positive ripple effect within both our local and global communities.
As holistic practitioners, Rebecca and I share a common commitment to supporting individuals on their journey towards well-being and fulfillment. This is why we shared our experiences —so that you may glean additional perspective on what it means for YOU to live holistically.
Our vision is for you to feel more connected to your own choices so that you KNOW that holistic living is multifaceted and available to you.
Whether you are looking to heal holistically so you feel freedom in your health and career or work with Rebecca to further your mental clarity and resilience, a personalized approach with the right coach is key.
Reach out to either of us so you can get started right away!
Kristy’s Contact Details:
Rebecca’s Contact Details: