Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
I was born and raised in Houston. I even attended university here, graduating from Rice University in 1991. I lived in the Boulder, Colorado area for a bit in my twenties, and my husband and I lived in Rio de Janeiro with our young daughter for 3 years before finding our way back to Houston. Otherwise, Houston has always been home!
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
We have one daughter, Sophia, who is 22 years old and just graduated from Rice University. We were lucky to have her nearby for the last 4 years, but the nest is about to become empty, as she will move to the East Coast in the fall.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I think people would be surprised to know that I at one time spoke six languages fluently. The ones I would say I am fluent in now are English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and I can get by in French and Italian. My German is pretty rusty!
One more surprising fact about me – when I was a little girl, I wanted to be an astronaut and walk on the moon.
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
I love to attend Houston Ballet’s performances, wander around Memorial Park, the Arboretum, and Hermann Park with our two poodles, visit the MFAH, shop for native plants at Buchanan’s, and peruse at Brazos Bookstore and Murder by the Book. I also enjoy musical theater at TUTS and exploring coffee shops/bakeries in town.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share! (Feel free to elaborate here, this is your time to shine!! Please hyperlink anything of importance)
I am a certified health coach who teaches effective, sustainable, and science-backed strategies that help busy moms live a thriving, energetic life. Having grown up as a ballet dancer, I have always had a passion for nutrition and fitness.
It is my mission to help women find the best version of themselves in a practical and sustainable way, so they can lose that stubborn (and oftentimes dangerous) fat that accumulates over time by employing enjoyable lifestyle strategies that actually work for the long term. Through whole food nutrition in the right amount and in the right balance for women in midlife, combined with an effective exercise program built upon functional exercises and progressive overload, I coach women how to heal their body, improve their digestion, reduce inflammation, balance hormone levels, regain energy, become stronger and more capable, and feel better every day, ultimately improving their body composition and setting them up to age healthfully.
If you’d like to learn more, I’d be happy to offer a free consultation to discuss your goals and how I can help. You can also learn more about the program I coach here: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=KristinaBaizan
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I find that the Houston community is warm, friendly, diverse and supportive of women in business. Although it’s a big city, it’s at the same time a small community in which people help each other and spread the word when they have a positive experience. Houstonian’s word-of-mouth referrals are far-reaching! My experience has been that if you provide a valuable service, the Houston community will flock to it and share the good news too.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
For young children: protect your children’s sleep schedule as much as you can. Implement a consistent nap schedule if possible when they are babies so you can work while they nap. Similarly (but also acknowledging that all kids are different), try to keep a consistent bedtime – generally a well-rested child is a happy(ier) child, which will make it easier for you to juggle mommyhood and any kind of work outside the home.
As they get older, model for them what it is to work hard but to have work-life balance as well. Family always comes first, and self-care is important too.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Being a parent is humbling! You won’t always be right, and you won’t always be able to control things. The best thing you can do is develop a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. This will help you stay close to your kids throughout the adolescent years so that you can guide them and help them, not fight them.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Hands down, my best tool for navigating parenthood is having plenty of moments of being silly with my daughter, from the time she was little until now and forever.
And always saying “I’m sorry” when I mess up!
