Author Spotlight: Kimberly Joy Morgan

Kimberly Joy Morgan is a health and life coach turned author, whose aspiration to improve overall wellness for herself has encouraged immense growth for her business ventures. This trailblazer has consistently moved mountains in her health that she was told would not be possible without harsh medications. Kimberly’s authenticity and vulnerability makes her relatable to universal audiences. Now, Kimberly has delivered the key to a cultivating lifestyle ‘Share the Joy’. Dive into this interview to better understand what makes Kimberly such a “joy”.

Ursula: What’s your swagher? What makes Kimberly, Kimberly? 

Kimberly: I am from His thought first, here by purpose not chance. My definition of happy is living authentically as the person God created me to be. I love a good salad and listening to Alina Baraz on Pandora as I work or drive. I love coaching people and helping them find their authenticity. I want people to find the real moments of life that matter. Ignorance makes me sad. I believe we were designed to love each other not hate, and we were given two ears and one mouth for a reason. I believe we all can operate in our zone-of-genius (read The Big Leap).  I want to help people find the environment where they thrive. Remember a fish out of the water usually dies.

I love to teach. Breaking down complicated topics in health and wellness so everyone can understand, is my mission. I’m happiest when I have a microphone in my hand and a crowd in front of me, be it fitness classes, health talks, or on stage as a fictional character. I’m most satisfied when I stop to listen for 60 minutes every two weeks for six months and help guide a client to their truth and authenticity. I want my soul to radiate TRUTH, DEPTH, PEACE, and one word I’ll only utter to my husband! I’m an undercover nerd, although I want people to think I’m hip! I have a cool sense of style, but I hate spending money on clothes. I give to those who need help without hesitation, and I will spend $185 dollars on a bottle of essential oil if I know it will improve the quality of my life and the life of my family. I love Thursday and the day before vacation begins, because it means I always have something to look forward to. I’m not “in” the moment but leading up to it. I don’t enjoy big parties, but I love a cup of tea on a rainy day and talking to one friend for hours on deep and contemplative subjects that have no “certifiable” answers. I want nothing more than to have made a difference in the lives of those I come in contact with and help them see JESUS and the love of YAHWEH, not me.

Ursula: What inspired you to become a health and life coach? 

Kimberly: I had a serious gut infection called C-Diff from an antibiotic I was prescribed.  The doctors told me I was going to have to take medication the rest of my life to deal with the havoc that infection reeked upon me.  I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be 30 taking medication for the rest of my life.  I started searching for answers, started eating differently, and started to heal.  As I healed others asked how I was doing it… and I wanted to help.  I started coaching and decided to go back to school to learn more and get my certification.  My desire is to see everyone healthy and whole.

Ursula: Some individuals might find it easy to start a healthy routine, but can’t seem to maintain it. What are some tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

Kimberly:  Finding harmony in your life.  Never be so busy that you can’t prioritize YOU!  There are four or five main areas that I like to call “Primary Food.”  When those areas like careers, relationships, physical activity, play, and spirituality are in balance, we usually can keep healthy and maintain our focus.  However, when we are out of balance or harmony, we run to “drugs” aka “food” to cope with the crazy or dissatisfaction of our lives.  I also believe you need a “serious” goal (i.e. a race/bikini show/something) and accountability partners that are healthier than you. 

Ursula: What sparked the idea for your book Share My Joy? 

Kimberly: My cousin died suddenly in May of 2018; he was in his early 50’s.  I really want to help people find healthy alternatives and understand that they can change their lives in a year if they just take it one healthy habit at a time week by week.  I run into so many people who can’t afford a health coach, and they just don’t know where and how to start.  I wanted to help them find affordable and reliable answers.  I was already doing a weekly YouTube show called “Share the Joy”, and I wanted to bring it to people in a book/journal/transformation format.  I didn’t want anyone else to “die” early from a lack of knowledge on how to eat and what to use to transform into the healthiest version of themselves. 

Ursula: How do you encourage healthy living with your own family?  

Kimberly: Truly by example.  I eat well, exercise, and educate my kids and husband to the best of my ability.  No one is perfect in our home, but I’d say I have a 10 and 12- year olds who can read labels and tell you what is “healthy” and what’s not.  I try to tell my kids that some things we eat or do will kill us slowly.  It’s like giving chocolate to a dog.  I ask them, if they would ever consider giving chocolate to a dog.  They always reply ‘no’, so I ask them why I would give them things that I know will kill them.  ‘Don’t I care about you more than you care about a dog? Honey, I birth you after nine months in my womb.’  They don’t always like that answer, but I think they get the point.

Ursula: Being a life coach, you encounter many people who are going through difficult times in their lives. What was a trying time in your life, and how were you able to make it through?

Kimberly:  One of the most trying times I had in my life, was when I had multiple miscarriages back to back to back.  I felt broken as a woman.  I wanted to carry a baby to term so badly.  I really was living in fear every time I got pregnant.  I remember having to tell my husband over and over that, ‘I lost the baby…’ I remember turning to God and saying, ‘I’m truly giving this to YOU.’  I remember I fasted for 10 days with my husband from food and cleaned out my system.  We found ourselves expecting within a month.  I remember sitting on my screened-in porch in Minneapolis, MN, at the time and hearing God say ‘Just live.’  He then told me that my ancestors picked cotton in hot fields pregnant and their babies lived, and he also said that “crack babies” survive so don’t stress about everything you do and eat. I kept feeling those warm words ‘Just live.’  I did just that.  I taught aerobics, I danced on stage in plays, and I worked up until two weeks before I gave birth.  Fasting, prayer, and letting go to let God, really does work. 

Ursula: What do you like to do in your down time to unwind and regroup? 

Kimberly: I love to watch movies with my husband on the couch.  Honestly, the two of us lead very busy lives, and when I say I hardly watch TV, that’s an understatement.  So taking time to watch a two-hour movie with him and/or the kids is THE BEST!  I also love paddle boarding when I can and taking guided hikes in nature.  I regroup the best when I travel to a beach and just sit and listen to the ocean and stare into space.  It doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Ursula: Are you currently reading anything for your own pleasure or personal growth? 

Kimberly: I’m ALWAYS reading.  One of the things I do in my life coaching group is encourage the women to read 10 pages a day of a book that promotes growth in their lives.  I’m always reading so I can suggest relevant titles to others.  One of my favorite books is “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks.  Presently I’m reading “Present Over Perfect”.

Ursula: Has writing always been something that’s been part of your life or was it something that you fell into? 

Kimberly: I think I’ve always enjoyed writing creatively.  When I was younger I was an editor of my school paper.  I thought I wanted to go into journalism until I discovered acting/communication performance at UNC-CH.  I wrote papers in college with ease and upon graduation and in my career as a professional actress, I wrote plays that were produced by professional theatre companies.  I enjoy blogging as well when I have time.  Honestly, I just like sharing and hopefully making people laugh and think a little.

Ursula: We know you’re a dedicated mentor for others, but who are some individuals that you consider to be your sources of inspiration?  

Kimberly: I can view others in the public eye like most and admire their success; however, I must see your dedication to personal development and your love for people and kindness to consider you truly an “inspiration” to me.  Most of my mentors and examples of inspiration are everyday people to most.  Dr. T is a true inspiration to me.  My play “Auntie” Roz is hands down the type of woman I want to be at 75+ years old.  Her joy for life attitude that beat cancer and dedication to daily physical activity inspire me!  I also love following a woman named Earnestine Shepard on IG… I’ve never met her, but I just know I’d love her! 

Ursula: What advice would you give to any aspiring authors?

Kimberly:  Just write.  Don’t worry about if it’s good, just write.  Take time daily to set writing goals and make it happen.  You can write a 365-page book in a year if you just write one page a day without fail!  Don’t let fear stop you.  Don’t let what you think others are going to think of it stop you.  JUST WRITE!  You have a story that needs to be told, and you have an audience that will buy it! 

Follow and connect with Kimberly below.

http://doallthingswithjoy.com

@doallthingswithjoy