Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Rorie.
Kristen, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
A few years ago I met my now husband, Tyler Gaffney when he made his decision to come back to Stanford University to finish his final year of football eligibility. He took me on this crazy ride with him as he entered the NFL where he won 2 SuperBowls with the New England Patriots.
After quitting my job as a Senior Account Executive with Adobe Systems and selling everything I owned, I moved to New England and almost immediately became pregnant with our first son, Jaxon Jet, the sweetest boy in the world. As I became a mother, I found joy in sharing our story of love, family & football, so I began my lifestyle blog “The Brunching Mama” where I cover topics such as motherhood & parenting, recipes, beauty, fashion & overall wellness. Nineteen months later our second song, Conway Bo was born, and Tyler made the decision to retire from Professional Football and continue his journey with the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Organization. He said he just wanted us to see him play baseball at least once. And so we were off again, traveling across the country (this time as a family of four) to pursue baseball dreams.
While in Altoona, PA living in the student dorms where most of the baseball team lived, Sports Illustrated posted they were doing another SI Model Swim Search. I jumped at the opportunity and must have been one of the first girls who posted her submission videos. I was then selected amongst thousands of applicants to attend the Sports Illustrated Swim casting in person. Here I became a finalist for the “Sweet 16” and on the spot found out this mom of two was had never even modeled before, was about to walk her first ever Miami SwimWeek fashion show in a bikini, four months after having my second child. It was one of the bravest, most exhilarating and empowering things I have ever done in my life- hands down.
Since then I have focused on hanging out with my family, my fitness journey, working on blog and women self-empowerment & can’t wait to see the Sports Illustrated family again. My future goals include continuing to promote self-love, a cookbook, and to be featured as a Sports Illustrated model representing all Supermoms.
Can you give our readers some background on your work?
My primary way of expression right now is via Instagram & my lifestyle blog, “The Brunching Mama.” My blog focuses on overall health & wellness, self-love and manifesting the life you want to live, parenting & motherhood, as well as recipes and beauty must-haves.
I’d say the overall response I get from my followers is how authentic and real I am, and that’s something I take pride in, and I hope I can always stay true to. In a world full of filters and highlight reels, I like to share it all- highs, lows and everything in between. I hope by doing this it displays confidence and that others will try and find the confidence and self-love within themselves, too!
How do you think about success and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I define success as laying your head down at night knowing with full satisfaction that you gave your dream, your goals, or even just that day, everything you had.
As an influencer, I believe it is crucial to be as authentic and real as you possibly can be. Trying to be someone else will only take you so far. I’ve learned how important it is to stay true to who YOU are- if you like something, take pride in it, if you want to say no to an invite, just say no. Follow your gut and what your heart desires first and foremost.
Get out of your comfort zone, move out of your hometown, take risks. And more than anything I believe in getting better every single day. Every day you either get better, or you get worse. If you can get better, even just a little bit every day, brick by brick, you will be successful.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can check out my blog thebrunchingmama.com or follow me on Instagram @KristenLouelle!
Contact Info:
- Website: thebrunchingmama.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @KristenLouelle
- Twitter: @KristenLouelle
Image Credit:
Photos in swimsuit – Tracy Tassil, photographer
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