Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimmy McDaniels.
Hi Kimmy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My path was winding to where I am. Initially, as a young girl, I always wanted to be a nurse or own a dance studio. I decided to start with the more practical path. After high school, I moved from my small town in Massachusetts to Miami to attend Barry University. Through nursing school, my goal was to become a labor & delivery nurse and my dream was to go on to nurse-midwifery.
A few years into nursing school, I met my now husband while working as a bartender. After finishing school, I accepted a job at a residential substance abuse detox treatment down the street from where I lived. I had a few friends that had started there and suggested I apply. I didn’t plan for it to be long-term but fell in love and stayed there for 3 years until my husband’s career moved us to California. Here my nursing license took months to transfer so I became a full-time nanny for a wonderful first-time mom. I was enamored by her breastfeeding and postpartum journey and just loved watching this tiny baby grow.
Above all career goal was my true dream of becoming a mother. When I finally got my RN license, I was heartbroken to leave the family but accepted a great opportunity at a hormone replacement clinic. It wasn’t in line with the dreams I had, but the pay was great, I had weekends off, and learning another niche was interesting. After 6 months I was promoted to director and learned the business end of running a clinic. In both these positions, I learned a lot about medicine but I learned so much about people. My husband’s career moved us again from Southern California to Northern. Here I found another niche.
I became the Nurse Administrator of a residential adolescent eating disorder treatment. This was both heartbreaking and groundbreaking for me. I learned more about people and lots more about myself. We got married and started the journey to parenthood. The start of my journey was not easy. I had two miscarriages. I was almost 18 weeks along when I lost a pregnancy. I was so alone and in a dark place. And I felt there were limited resources available to help with this. I leaned into the amazing therapists I worked alongside. Only a few months later I was expecting again and this time had my first, beautiful baby boy.
Although he was healthy, his birth was very traumatic for me. It was fear filled with many interventions I hadn’t prepared for. I was fueled to seek more education about birth. I attended a doula workshop and was blown away by the knowledge. I was determined to share this and help other new mothers better prepare for birth. When my son turned 1 we moved across the country back to Florida and found the beautiful oasis of St. Petersburg. We knew this was home. Here I went back to work at a substance abuse residential treatment which felt like another homecoming.
And although I still had so much passion for this work, birth work was calling. After having 2 more baby boys here in St. Pete I was in the depth of motherhood. My birth outcomes were improved because of my increased knowledge and preparation. My midwives from the Birth Center of St. Pete were a huge motivator for me to get started with this work. And here I am now, bringing the vision of the Florida Birth Movement to life. I blended my passion for dance, nursing, and birth. I teach classes to help mamas prepare both mentally and physically for birth.
My new dream is to help improve birth outcomes in our community. I want to help families feel prepared and empowered to bring babies into their world. And although I am very much still in the depth of motherhood, my passion for this is on fire and I couldn’t wait to share. I believe there is a need for more birth education and I hope to help many families experience birth in the best way possible. I strive to be a great resource for our community by sharing my knowledge and passion. I hope to continue to grow and leave a positive impact on my community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Entrepreneurship feels big and scary. There were many times I convinced myself I was not ready or not good enough. I would write down business plans and crumble them up. I had imposter syndrome all the way.
When I let my heart lead, I finally got out of my way. And then I turned back to my business mind once my vision was more clear. I finally learned to ask for and accept help. I had a friend who started her own business offer me guidance.
I took the first big step and the rest didn’t feel as scary. One step at a time.
Motherhood takes precedence and finding time seems like a struggle. I am hiding from my children just to write this! I feel that this experience can help me relate to the difficulties so many new parents struggle with. I call my children my personal case studies and learn so much from them about this work and myself.
Starting it off alone without a team can feel overwhelming. Wearing all the hats means I can’t put all of myself into each one as much as I would like. I’m applying what I have learned about patience and grace from parenting to business. I still have so much learning and growing to do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Florida Birth Movement?
Florida Birth Movement is a play on words. I am starting in St. Pete, but I want to be a movement.
Movement is medicine. I believe so much in the power of moving the body. Movement during birth is an incredible and underutilized tool.
I want to help Florida have improved birth outcomes. I want to help give families a healthier start.
I offer group and private childbirth education sessions that incorporate moving and stretching. I do not offer virtual services as I believe in-person intimacy is important in this work… and I can not offer a hip squeeze through a screen.
I offer sessions to teach partners how to support birthing mamas.
I offer consulting and referrals for childbirth resources and professionals.
My services are a la carte and completely customizable.
I strive to be the resource my clients need me to be on a very personalized basis.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love to collaborate with other professionals that have goals that align with my own.
I plan to host workshops, park pop-ups, and other events to bring the community together.
I am easily reached via phone, email, or our social media pages.
Contact Info:
- Website: Floridabirthmovement.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/floridabirthmovement?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Image Credits
Samantha Hayn Photography and Analog Wedding Photography
