Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Otero.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Moving to South Korea
A few years after receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, I packed my life up and moved to South Korea. I felt an unsettling curiosity to explore the world on the road less traveled. What was intended to be a six-month adventure evolved into a seven-year life-altering journey. I immersed myself into a TESL job (teaching English as a second language). I had no experience, yet I succeeded. Teaching felt like a natural transition for me as the tools that I acquired in the realm of performing expanded my capacity to connect with my students and be creative in my teaching approach. Becoming an unofficial counselor to one of my students served as a catalyst to delve deeper into the world of mental health.
Traveling and relearning
Throughout my travels in Southeast Asia, I met incredibly humble people from all walks of life. In Thailand, I met a Rastafarian who deeply shifted my perspective on happiness. As he climbed up to his home in the jungle, a small treehouse he had built attached to his coffee shop, he happily shared with me, “I live in paradise. I have everything I need!” In Cambodia, I watched the silhouettes of a fisherman’s family at dusk in their small wooden floating home. As our boat drifted away in the remaining faint glow of the sunset, I watched the kids welcome their father home. I continued gazing at them as the family gathered around a small pot of food on the floor to share a meal. These experiences filled my heart with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and joy, and made me fall in love with the human spirit.
Volunteering at an orphanage
Volunteering at an orphanage enriched my life in ways I never imagined possible. On our first visit, my friends and I taught the children how to play hide-and-seek as we communicated in giggles and broken Korean. Later in the evening, we watched the children diligently put away their toys and prepare for their nightly routines. I will never forget the moment a child silently walked over to me, plopped his pajamas on my lap, and threw his arms up so I could put on his shirt. His craving for affection completely melted my heart. During Christmas, we planned a party at the orphanage. News spread quickly and within a week we had over 40 volunteers. We created fun activity stations and Santa Claus surprised the children with gifts donated by people from all around the city. The end result was beyond our wildest dreams. I like to imagine the children’s laughter was heard around the world that day.
Performing and the “American Dream”
With the passage of time, my passion for performing resurfaced. I performed in a play, a musical revue, became a member of a classical singing choir, and got a part-time job as a voice-over actor. I felt so fulfilled! How many people can say that they’ve been able to combine their old and new passions together?
While my friends at home were on the path to the “American Dream,” (i.e. graduate from university, establish a career, find a partner, get married, buy a house, and start a family), I was far from it. At times, I felt estranged for choosing to live so unconventionally and yet, I knew I was on the right path–the one meant for me.
Eventually, my experiences living abroad inspired me to delve back into school. I got accepted into the distance Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Nova Southeastern University. Before I was set to move back home to begin my internship, I decided to slowly transition back to the western world. So, I applied for a teaching job in Spain, and off I went!
Dolce vita in Europe
My transition to Europe was anything but seamless. Leaving Korea felt like I was breaking up with a longtime partner. Little by little, I took comfort in the laid-back European lifestyle. I moved into the coziest 190 sq. ft. attic apartment in a historic neighborhood where famous authors once roamed the cobblestone streets. During this chapter of my life I indulged in art, food, history, and connected with the most vibrant souls. There was Mario, a passionate Sicilian guitarist, who played “The Godfather” theme song for me at sunset on a hilltop in Rome. I met Lui, a coffee business owner in Copenhagen, who I later went with on a hilarious tower-hopping adventure throughout Florence. I fell in love with traveling solo and ended up with the most invaluable stories from my encounters with strangers along the way. These connections would forever change my life.
Reverse Culture Shock
When I returned to the States, reverse culture shock ensued. I went from gallivanting through historic neighborhoods to driving in Miami traffic. At the agency where I completed my internship, I was nicknamed “Tree girl.” I brought my own bamboo silverware to work and packed away the leftover food our clients didn’t eat for my homeless friends down the street. My seven-year love affair with Mother Earth had changed me, and I stuck out like a sore thumb. I missed mini tea ceremonies with my Korean grandmas and grandpas, and I missed forest bathing. Going from slow living to fast everything was the ultimate challenge.
Africa: My heart
Towards the end of my internship, I was given the opportunity to go on a humanitarian trip to Swaziland, Africa with a team of students and professors from the psychology department at Nova Southeastern University. We assessed children and adolescents at care centers and schools and provided group therapy, art therapy, and psychoeducation.
During our first visit to a childcare center I met a woman–real-life hero–who voluntarily looked after more than a dozen orphans with only enough resources to feed three children daily. I met preschoolers who walked miles on empty stomachs for a chance at education and a hot meal. I met students who continued going to school after being expelled for not being able to pay tuition fees because it was safer to be at school than at home. Swaziland was a life-changing experience which further affirmed my decision to work in a profession where I can be of service to others.
Changing the World
On my graduation cap I wrote, “Wanna Change the World with Me?” It felt like the beginning of a new chapter in my life, driven by seven years of incredible life lessons. In honor of the children and students I met in Swaziland, I organized a GoFundMe campaign, “Build a Safe Home for Vulnerable Children” with the intention to build a “safe house” closer to school for children with no home or safe environment in which to return. Our goal is 7k and we’ve been fortunate to raise 1.5k so far!
My story that led me to pursue a career in mental health is not a typical one. Rather, it is filled with experiences that cultivated within me the desire to help others. I believe we all have a gift and it is our mission to honor it and share it with the world. I am deeply grateful for being blessed with the gift of experience. Who I am today is the sum of my experiences. It is in the spirit of my work, my relationships, and how I seek to serve others and make a positive contribution to the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine living abroad for seven years. The universe also threw me a few curve balls. Although I felt more connected to the world as a whole, at times, I felt disconnected from myself. Existential crises hit me in waves, and I experienced one of the darkest periods of my life in an unfulfilling relationship. Perhaps in the process of assimilating and adapting to new cultural expectations, I unconsciously began to compromise my values. I was disheartened to see the conditions people lived in with little to no resources in other developing countries. I often found myself questioning the education I had received, as it conflicted with the realities I witnessed. One of the toughest recurring reminders was missing out on important life events and celebrations with my family. When I returned, I experienced the effects of how distance and time had shifted our relationships, which are still a work in progress.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ensōul Flow – what should we know?
After returning to the States, I became a mental health counselor, essential oil educator, and received my certification in sound healing. Apart from other offerings, I created an online “Self-Care Lifestyle Shop” featuring organic sugar body scrubs and self-care apparel. The tagline for my shirts, “How I Zen my Crazy,” is designed to bring back awareness to mental health and create an interactive platform for people to share their self-care stories. My experiences have cultivated a desire in me to guide, mentor, and aid others throughout their own life journeys.
My approach to mental health is holistic, strength based, and experiential. I offer individual counseling, life coaching, holistic therapy (aromatherapy + counseling + sound healing), and Experiential Flow group sessions. I facilitate conscious networking events for women and self-care workshops.
What do you love about your city and what do you dislike?
What I like most about Miami is the diversity of Latino and Caribbean culture. You can find a wide variety of Latin American cuisine and experience Spanglish at its best! Miami’s weather all year round is lovely. There is no shortage of vitamin D, beautiful beaches, and cafecito. What I least like about Miami is that you have to have a car to get around. Your daily decisions rely heavily around rush hour, but it’s a beautiful and sunny commute!
Contact info:
- Website: www.ensoulflow.com coming soon
- Email: Kristen@ensoulflow.com
- Instagram: @ensoul_flow #zenmycrazy
- Other: Campaign: “Help Build a Safe Home for VulnerableChildren”
https://www.gofundme.com/f/protectswazichildren?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
