Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Fink.
Hi Brittney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Southern California. I found my way to Santa Barbara as a student-athlete (track and field) as I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Social Cultural Linguistics at UC Santa Barbara. My four years here opened my eyes to my passion for policy work, research, and international travel after studying abroad in The Netherlands. These newfound loves within my work empowered me to find a way to intertwine them all and fueled me to take the passion, purpose, and intensity I bring into my work and embed it into my everyday life.
As my time in Santa Barbara came to an end, my zeal for education led me to pursue my Masters in teaching and make my way into the classroom, which led me into one of my favorite spaces, my second-grade classroom. Upon completing this degree, our world was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This gave me time to reflect on my personal and professional experiences and reminded me of my love for research. This led me to apply for my Doctoral degree at Pepperdine University. While simultaneously working as a teacher and being a full-time doctoral student, I discovered ways new ways to lead, educate, research. However, while juggling all of these experiences and diving deeper into my dissertation, I began to realize that I tied so much of my self-worth to academic achievements and how I had forgotten to prioritize my well-being while pursuing my goals. This compelled me to center my dissertation around this concept, recognizing the importance of prioritizing our well-being while we chase our ambitions as a vital tool for women navigating the often-fatiguing work they do for society.
SO fast forward to present. In July 2023, I successfully defended my dissertation (NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF ME: BEST PRACTICES FOR BLACK WOMEN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION), and in September 2023, I married my best friend and relocated to a new city.
With all these joyful movements of transition happening in such a short span of time, I was left a bit dizzy when the dust settled. But now I continue to educate through consultancy and have built an online community where I offer coaching sessions to students and young professionals and also use my experiences balancing full-time work and doctoral life to make access to resources, research and template accessible to other intensely passionate individuals, like myself.
Brittney Fink is a coach and researcher who intertwines her roles as a content creator with her expertise as an educator and consultant. She hopes to inspire her followers towards a realistic approach to a healthy lifestyle amidst the whirlwind of balancing a career, social life and academic pursuits.
Alongside this, Brittney is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She researches the nuances of organizational cultures and examines dynamics that hinder the advancement and well-being of Black women. Her studies illuminate the path toward creating more equitable and inclusive spaces within academic settings.
Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, Brittney is an amateur baker, fitness enthusiast, and devoted dog mom. She finds joy in making Spotify playlists, crafting vintage cocktails, and savoring the sweet moments of life with her family and friends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been quite the journey, filled with twists and turns that have required personal adjustment along the way. From my time as a student-athlete juggling multiple part-time jobs to help cover tuition and living costs to the challenges of balancing academic pursuits with maintaining my mental health and social life, it’s been anything but smooth sailing.
One of the main struggles I’ve encountered is misaligned expectations and personal comparison. There have been moments where I felt the pressure to achieve certain milestones or surpass certain benchmarks, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Comparison, both to others and to my past self, has often necessitated a return to gratitude and a reminder to be kinder to myself.
Moreover, transitioning from a life focused solely on academic and career goals to one that prioritizes holistic well-being has been a significant adjustment. Sacrificing sleep, missing out on social events, and neglecting my physical health to maintain high grades and secure spots in competitive programs took a toll on my overall happiness and health. It was a wake-up call that living solely for achievements wasn’t truly living.
However, through self-reflection, mentorship, and a commitment to holistic well-being, I’ve been able to navigate these challenges and craft a healthier, happier, and more successful version of myself. While I still struggle with organization and overloading my schedule at times, implementing small changes to how I structure my time has made a world of difference.
Ultimately, my journey has led me to a place of empowerment and a desire to support others facing similar challenges. My mission is to empower students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to achieve their academic, career, and personal aspirations while prioritizing their well-being. Through mentoring, blogging, and social media, I aim to provide resources and guidance to help others find balance and success on their unique paths.
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every twist and turn has been a learning opportunity, shaping me into the person I am today and fueling my passion for supporting others on their journey to success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My early 20’s were a blur of chasing goals – not just societal expectations, but the invisible barriers that whispered, “work twice as hard” to even be seen. I reached those goals, yes, but the achievements felt hollow. The grinding, the sacrificing, the constant proving – it had chipped away at my identity, leaving me constantly asking “Who am I, really?”, and “Who am I outside of the classroom?”
This wasn’t just my story. It’s the unspoken narrative of countless underrepresented communities, navigating a world where equal footing feels like a distant mirage. I knew something had to change. So, I turned inward, not just for personal growth, but to forge a path where equity and empowerment could flourish alongside ambition.
My journey led me to the heart of leadership, fueled by my dissertation research on a wellness framework. This framework isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about building leaders from the inside out, nurturing well-being as the foundation for authentic, equitable leadership.
My mission isn’t just to help young professionals achieve their goals; it’s to empower them to redefine what success truly means.
This isn’t about climbing pre-defined peaks; it’s about blooming, blossoming, and becoming the most vibrant, empowered version of yourself.
Additionally, I am proud to have built an online community that provides a positive space for young professionals that champions progress at the intersection of leadership, equity and wellness. Through this platform, I also share motivational tips, wellness research, habit building templates and provide opportunities for coaching calls.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I believe that typically success is connected to career attainment, but simply put, I personally define success as working hard with determination to get what you want out of life and for those things to being you joy daily.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittneyxedu?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-fink-
