Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina P. Kantzavelos.
Hi Christina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a multipotentialite, meaning I wear many different hats (psychotherapist, writer, author, app founder, artist). And each of those hats has had its own journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In focusing on my private practice and journal (and soon-to-be app! ), it all started after getting sick during my humanitarian response contract in Mexico, when my career trajectory turned upside down overnight.
I had to return home early from an overseas contract because of how sick I became. After seeing a handful of specialists, I ultimately was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases, Lyme Disease and co-infections, CIRS (mold illness), mast-cell activation syndrome, and many others. I was left couch-bound, unable to work, and under the care of my parents (I was beyond privileged to have this option).
I had to grieve my past life as a disaster responder, and make my health a priority. I completely transformed my life and dedicated everything to healing. One aspect of that was committing to journaling. My goal was to track my day-to-day symptoms, as well as what worked, what didn’t work, recognize when days were challenging, and honor my accomplishments (big and small). This was especially helpful during healthcare appointments to recall my symptoms. Journaling every night helped me realize that I was indeed on the road to healing, even if I was simply only able to breathe that day. I looked for a journal that offered prompts related to the mind-body experience (physical and emotional); however, I couldn’t find one. Finally, I realized I needed to create it for both myself and others. This is how the Begin Within: A Daily Healing Journal was born. And it’s now being beta tested as an app – www.withinmeapp.com/!
One of my favorite parts of this project is that a portion of each journal sold is donated to a different organization each month that provides support, resources, or research to those with chronic illnesses. To say it wasn’t easy is an understatement. Creating anything while experiencing chronic illness is a challenge and generally takes longer than it would for our healthy counterparts. I knew little to nothing about marketing or business (and I am still very much learning). I am grateful to my content designer, Stephanie Neutze, who learned how to design from scratch in order to help me out. She also encouraged me to use my own art for the covers. I am also grateful to my friends and the chronic illness community who have organically helped me market this through social media and word of mouth.
This journal and app aren’t just for those with chronic illness, it’s for anyone looking for a helpful wellness tool.
In the midst of creating the journal, I couldn’t find a chronic-illness-literate mental health specialist and had to find someone outside of the country. I eventually became the therapist I wish I could’ve had, specializing in trauma-informed therapy such as EMDR, mindfulness, neural retraining, nervous system regulation, and psychedelic integration therapy.
As mentioned before, doing most things when you’re not feeling well is a struggle. Success, growth, healing aren’t linear. I believe having learned to show myself as much compassion, love and grace as I do to others was the biggest challenge, but also the greatest and most sustainable reward for my well-being.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to the journal, app and my private therapy practice, I am also an award-winning gluten-free food, travel, health and lifestyle blogger and writer @buenqamino. I thrive in creating space for endeavors that I am most passionate about and find the most purpose in.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If no one has told you today, you are amazing and the world is a better place with you in it. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beginwithintoday.
com // www.buenqamino.com //ww w.withinmeapp.com - Instagram: www.instagram.com/
beginwithintoday; www. instagram.com/buenqamino /www. insagram.com/withinmeapp - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
beginwithintoday // www. facebook.com/buenqamino / www.facebook.com/withinmeapp - Twitter: www.twitter.com/
bwtjournal // www.twitter.com/ benqamino / www.twitter.com/withinmeapp - Youtube: www.youtube.com/
beginwithintoday // www. youtube.com/buenqamino - Other: www.pinterest.com/
buenqamino // www.pinterest. com/beginwithintoday
Image Credits
@twopinesphoto
