Anita Hartog shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Anita, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Honestly, I live in joy. Life’s too short to let the hard stuff steal that from you. Don’t get me wrong, it took a lot of pain and healing to get here, but I fought for this peace.
The last time I felt pure joy? Easy. It was just me and my grandson having a little picnic at the park. We laid out a blanket, sat under the trees, ate doughnuts, and watched the birds. He’s 7, so his stories were hilarious, just full of imagination and silliness. Nothing fancy, just simple and perfect.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Anita Hartog, and while I juggle titles like real estate agent, podcast host, nonprofit founder, mental-health advocate, and Certified Life Coach, the truth is, I’m just someone who believes everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and genuinely hopeful again.
I dove into real estate during one of my rockiest seasons, right at the end of my marriage. Searching for stability, I landed at Century 21 Allstars. It was an environment that valued personal growth as much as closing deals. That’s where I started to rebuild my confidence and sense of purpose. Then along came COVID, it added chaos, confusion and even more uncertainty, but it also pushed the door toward a new calling.
That calling led to One Heart At A Time Foundation, born from my own journey through dark chapters. Our mission is simple: give youth and families coming off crisis a place to breathe, learn life skills, and find a safe place to rebuild.
I also host The Other Side Podcast, where we ditch the fluff and talk real: healing, hope, and coming back stronger after life knocks you down.
Now, I’m pouring my energy into expanding our life-skills training and transitional housing programs so young people remember: joy isn’t lost. It’s just waiting for you to claim it.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is such a great question, it actually takes me back to one of my funniest and most unforgettable core memories. I was in fourth grade, and there was this bully… I think her name was Dolores. She was mean as heck and pushed everyone around like she owned the playground. And let’s just say, she was a big little girl, if you know what I mean! Haha.
One day, we were all outside playing, and she shoved one of my friends. I had had it. So, I did something I’d never done before, I pushed her right back. I was terrified, but I didn’t care. I was done watching her pick on people. That moment was my little kid version of taking a stand.
Of course, we both ended up in the principal’s office. But honestly? That tiny moment taught me something big. Taking a stand doesn’t kill you, it just makes you stronger. I still remember it to this day.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. I was 18 when I hit my lowest point. I didn’t see a way out and, honestly, I didn’t want to keep going. I attempted to take my own life, and that moment, as painful as it was, became the beginning of something I couldn’t have seen back then: a journey toward healing, purpose, and helping others who’ve felt the same kind of invisible pain.
I don’t share that lightly, but I do share it openly, because I know someone out there needs to hear it. Sometimes, the ones who look the strongest are the ones silently breaking. And sometimes, the thing we think is going to end us, is what wakes us up to why we’re here.
I didn’t give up. And now I get to remind others that they don’t have to either. There really is light at the end of the tunnel, and joy on the other side.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yeah, it is. What you see is what you get with me. I’ve lived through too much and peeled back too many layers to start putting on masks now. I spent years hiding parts of myself, afraid of what people might think, until I realized that the parts I was hiding were the ones that could actually help someone else feel seen. So no, I don’t have the energy, or the desire to pretend.
The woman you see speaking at events, posting on Instagram, hosting the podcast, hugging strangers at vendor fairs, praying with someone who’s struggling, that’s me. The real me. Is it the whole story? Of course not. We all hold some things sacred. But the public version of me is rooted in truth, in healing, and in service.
I don’t share for attention, I share so someone out there doesn’t feel so alone. I talk about suicide, addiction, heartbreak, and hope because I’ve lived all of it. And if me being real helps someone else take off their mask or breathe a little easier, then I’ll keep showing up as I am, flaws, faith, and all.
So yeah, the public version of me is the real me. And if you’ve met me, you already know that.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I’d build a ranch. Not just any ranch, a healing ranch. A place where broken hearts and tired souls could come and remember who they are.
It wouldn’t be about luxury or escaping the world, it’d be about returning to yourself. There’d be horses for equine therapy, gardens for farm to table healing, and quiet corners for reflection. We’d teach real life skills. Like how to cook, how to grow your own food, how to budget, and most importantly, how to breathe when life feels too loud.
Kids from shelters would come here to reset. Young adults who never had a foundation would find one. Families torn apart by addiction, loss, or trauma could learn to reconnect. And everyone would leave with something they maybe never had before, a sense of belonging.
I’d build classrooms and barns. We would talk about mental health like it’s normal (because it is), and where spiritual growth isn’t forced, it’s inspired. There’d be a fire pit where we tell stories, cry, laugh, and speak life into each other under the stars.
And the best part? It wouldn’t just be mine. It’d be ours, A safe haven built by love, sustained by purpose, and held up by the hands of people who once needed healing and now offer it freely.
Immortality or not, I’m already building the foundation. Because even if I don’t live forever, the impact can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hartogrealtygroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anitahartog_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anita.hartog/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzNWIEfnxLd9gSacTOTW_A
- Other: https://linktr.ee/oneheartatatime
