Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Hargett.
Hi Kayla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m not sure there was one singular day when I decided to follow the path to where I am today. What I do know is there’s been several moments over the past 19 years where I said “I’m going to try this and see where it takes me”. I’m not a person that was born with one singular passion, interest, or dream. Sometimes I wished I was that person because it seemed easier, but then I’d remember where I’ve been, who I’ve met, and what I’ve learned. I turn 40 this year & still couldn’t articulate what my purpose is on this earth if you asked me. Maybe it’s to try new things and report back to you. To date, I’ve been a realtor, a full-time yoga/fitness teacher and 200hr RYT coach (best leap ever), an executive admin assistant, a radio guest host, a yoga studio and social media manager, I had a ‘luxury’ dog accessory business, an inspirational public speaker (specifically about this topic), a voiceover talent, I have a podcast, I’ve been a nurse assistant (almost went full nurse-mode but the universe stopped me…not sure if I should be offended or grateful haha), and after graduating from a broadcasting program in 2020 to become a radio personality, Covid hit which changed my course & led me to where I am today, a project manager and HR coordinator for a video production company. None of these leaps came without fear, but I always leaned into trusting that if I thought up the idea, that it wasn’t impossible.
Trying something new is also something I feel is important to implement in my everyday life as a way to get to know and understand myself. What better way to learn what I like, what I’m good at, what I thought I’d like but turns out I’m terrible at, what I want out of life, uncovered talents, etc, than putting yourself out there? Did a few triathlons – I’m not fast, but I’m physically stronger than I thought. Took an Improv class – well that was awkward lol, but I did it to push myself to care and dwell less about what people thought of me. Tried out for a musical – turns out I’m a decent singer but a super terrible dancer (I mean, who tries out for Chicago for their first musical?! My husband says my dancing resembles Elaine from Seinfeld). Podcast Host – love love it…did learn I was too focused on the outcome, so I’m learning to become a better listener as an interviewer. Public Speaker – fills my heart…I’m a shaky chihuahua but I make it through and love interacting with everyone. Radio Guest Host – so much fun…learned how to slow down & be present. Half marathon – never again. that is all. My favorite ‘swerve’ was when I first lived in Kansas City, MO, I was at a Lululemon and came across a flyer about a new yoga studio in town offering training to become a Sculpt teacher. I never once thought about being a yoga fitness teacher before seeing that flyer, but something said ‘let’s try it’, and the next 3.5 years changed my life and I’ve never felt more whole in my life.
This all is why I started a podcast called the ‘Swerve Effect’. I talked to people who were once lawyers who became influencers, PR company owners who became artists, entrepreneurs who gave their companies up because they no longer served them in the way they needed and started a new one, those who swerved against the “norm” and chose not to have kids (like myself), or how they had to swerve based on circumstance. It’s the idea that if you’re open to swerve off course the path of your comfort zone, or what the world tells us we should be doing, and try something new – you might find hidden talents, skills, and love for things you never knew you had, a whole life you didn’t know you could have, which may open doors to new experiences, new people, and new perspectives. I wanted to share that there’s more than one way to move through life. Going against the ‘norm’ can also lead you to beautiful and fulfilling outcomes. Maybe it doesn’t work out and you swerve back to the first path, but maybe you love it and you find yourself on a new one.
I don’t have a business or project to promote, but I can offer this…
I’ve learned we all have different ways we feel fulfilled. Some feel more excited & comfortable when they stay focused on that one path that will get them to their dream outcome. Others like myself are excited by the swerve and risking my comfort in order to see what outcomes other paths might bring.
If I stand back, all these roles have a common denominator – I enjoy helping people find something they need. A house, a laugh, a stress release, a hand, a high five, a partner, a ‘you can do this’…. and my story isn’t over.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not, but whose road is it? I’m definitely proud of who I am and how I’m willing to put myself out there even if I might crash and burn with everyone watching. It’s been exciting to experience new things, learn new skills, and see how I’m able to overcome challenges.
With that being said, my biggest lesson has been and will continue to be caring less about how people perceive me with how I choose to show up in this world.
The biggest struggle has been learning how to let go of what people say or think of me in regards to the path I’ve chosen to find my way. I’ve heard things like “I love you, but you do jump around”, “why can’t you stick to one job, and just do fulfilling things on the side?”, “how’s the 17th career coming along?”, “you need to focus on one job and your 401k”. It’s hurtful because it makes you think something is wrong with you, that you’re less than others because you didn’t grow up knowing what you wanted to be, or that you’re wishy washy or unwilling to suck it up and do the work to settle. I had a job for six years that I sucked it up for because I was trying to do what ‘you’re supposed to do’, but all it led to was anxiety, me complaining every day, and quite literally feeling ill both physically and mentally. It took just as much brain power for me to stay in the unhappiness as it did to just try something new.
Because of that, I would (and still sometimes) get caught up in comparison. Seeing someone that’s at a point in life “I should be” and how they seemingly have it all figured out. When asked ‘what do you do?’ by someone I felt was of a higher status than me, I would let them know that I knew I wasn’t as important or worthy by belittling my work to ‘just a yoga teacher’ or ‘just a this or that’, instead of being confident that my work is important in it’s own way too. But if I feel myself going there now, I redirect my focus on the value and perspective I have that I can bring to the world and get excited about the ways I can share that. I remember all the things I’ve learned, experiences I’ve had, people I’ve met and can’t help but feel grateful for that. Sometimes following that up with a glass of wine and perhaps a new sweater haha.
At the end of the day, those people won’t be around when I’m 60, so why should I base my life decisions around what they think today? I remind myself they may say these things because it makes them uncomfortable, because they could never see themselves doing it based on their own goals…not because there’s anything actually wrong with what you’re doing… or what they’re doing.
Overall my best advice is to be confident in the decisions you make and the life you choose to live. One of the biggest regrets people have at the end of their life is not taking enough chances. I don’t want that to be one of my regrets.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently, I’m a Project Manager for a video production company, where I lead & support our creative team in the production and execution of videos for our various clients. I love being a part of the creative process, coming up with ideas for certain shots, and how to piece something together to make it something impactful that the client will be excited about! I’m also the HR coordinator there, which I love because it’s just another way I get to support and advocate for all parties.
A few other things I do? I love entertaining people via the video content I randomly put up on my IG haha. I believe I’m totes funny – I’m a very animated dramatic person and love to make people smile and laugh, so I feel that’s been a good outlet for me to try and spread some joy. TikTok hasn’t supported any of my going viral attempts though. Aside from that, teaching yoga is still a love of mine. I love learning and talking about anything in the holistic health and wellness world – if Goop had a theme song, it’d be my ringtone. I’ve led mala necklace and vision board workshops, and hope to again in the future. I still have dreams of getting into radio/tv, so maybe you’ll see that one day. Next up… working on my book!
You never know what doors might open, so although I work hard & enjoy the current path I’m on, I always try to leave space to receive what might create something I could never have imagined on my own.
I just challenge everyone to go for it even if they don’t feel ready – you might surprise yourself.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Tampa! I just moved here in March 2022 and I’ve been smiling ever since! My husbands’ job moved us around a lot and we spent the last 7 years between KCMO and Charlotte, NC – so the sunshine here has never felt better! I love all the nooks and crannies of areas to explore – truly something for any mood you’re in! It’s colorful, the people are nice, the beaches are beautiful, and it’s just overall a warm and welcoming place to be.
Least like? I mean…I genuinely can’t think of anything right now. Oh, wait… I don’t like those itty bitty mosquitos you can’t see but will take you down.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayla.hargett/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pwtySlwLdU8DgeSwvturk?si=dd2ac79576814f5d
