We’re looking forward to introducing you to kim egel. Check out our conversation below.
Hi kim, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Getting lost in writing, a good conversation, a film, riding a wave, snowboarding down a mountain, free diving, getting lost in my mind on a run, traveling somewhere new & interesting, meeting a new person, getting lost in a book. These are all the things that help me to be present, which is something that’s a continual practice for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there — I’m Kim. By profession, I’m a licensed mental health therapist, though I always feel a little bored just leading with that, because what I bring to my practice goes far beyond my degree and license.
My work centers around whole-body wellness. I truly believe our mental health isn’t compartmentalized — it’s part of a greater system that needs consistent, mindful attention to stay balanced and healthy. My lifelong involvement in athletics deeply shaped this perspective. I was a semi-professional track and field runner “back in the day,” and I still love to train and compete in various ways — from free diving and surfing to endurance hikes.
Through those experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply connected the mind and body are, and I bring that philosophy into my sessions by addressing somatic symptoms and treating the whole person — not just isolated parts of their wellness.
I’m also fiercely convinced that my ongoing curiosity — continuing to train, learn, travel solo, immerse myself in new cultures, and explore creative outlets like photography and film — all directly enhance my work as a therapist. These experiences keep me expanding, grounded, and connected.
I believe that having many facets to who I am allows me to meet my clients on a deeper, more relatable level — beyond titles or credentials. It’s something I’m proud of and confident in, and I think it’s what brings that little “extra” to my professional life.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I suppose I’d say I was bold and playful.
I think often of my younger self — that 8-to-11-year-old girl who dreamed of being an Olympian and a mermaid (definitely high hopes). She was curious and open, took chances, and didn’t overthink things.
Sometimes I try to channel her. Life has a way of shaping us — experiences, disappointments, and hurt can make us pull back or close off. I’ve done that too. But over time, I’ve realized that real strength, for me, has been in the constant practice of keeping my walls down and staying soft — even when it would be easier not to. That’s been really hard for me at times.
What’s interesting is how the same things that lit me up as a kid still live in me now, at 47. My love for the ocean, free diving, exploring the underwater world, traveling, thinking “outside the box” — even my commitment to movement and physical challenge — all feel like extensions of who I’ve always been.
I do have to work harder now to stay bold, to step into the uncomfortable, and to fully own my worth. It doesn’t come as naturally as it once did. But I think about her — that younger version of me — and she reminds me of what’s still there, especially in the moments I need the reminder most.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I think a large part of my self-reliance comes from discovering, early on, what really worked for me as a person — the things I could tap into that provided real relief, both physically and mentally.
The short, maybe slightly odd answer is rhythm. Rhythm in movement — especially running — and rhythm in music. Both were such a huge part of my childhood.
I listened to music relentlessly as a kid — still do. It soothed me, and I could get completely lost in it. The same was true for movement. I was an active kid, and physical activity — really anything that got me moving — lit me up like a Christmas tree. Still does.
So honestly, the same things that helped me then are the ones I still turn to now. Music, movement, rhythm, and reflection — they’ve always been my way of coming back to myself.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
HELL YES. I can’t imagine building a business, a career, or a life where the public version of me isn’t the real me — especially when I talk so much about authenticity and “living your truth.”
That’s a core value for me, personally and professionally. Of course, because of my licensing, I’m mindful about what I share publicly — but I never want to present something that isn’t aligned with who I truly am. One of the biggest values I hold, in myself and in others, is being someone whose words and actions actually match — not just once, but over time.
If I can have the mic for a second — what’s hard in our current culture is how often people think they’ve “arrived” after one step of the process. For me, integrity is about consistency. It’s about being steady, intentional, and genuine long after the moment has passed. Anyone can have their fifteen minutes of fame — but living in truth takes time and patience.
So, in short: yes. I’d hope that clients, friends, or even acquaintances who know me would say that who they see publicly is the same person they meet in real life. That’s incredibly important to me — it’s my north star.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Two things come to mind right away.
First: mindfully managing my finances — living within my means, staying organized, and making smart decisions for my financial life. (What a boring and important topic at the same time, right?)
It’s something I actually bring up in client sessions sometimes — not because I’m a financial expert, (by any means) but because I really do believe our relationship with money is part of whole-body wellness. There was a time not so long ago when I avoided this area of my life, and it created a lot more stress than I realized — kind of a spiderweb effect that touched everything.
I’m grateful my dad modeled this for me early on. Being mindful, intentional, and aware of my financial picture — thinking strategically instead of impulsively — is something I know will continue to pay off in the long run.
Second: tending consistently to my physical health. Taking care of my body, staying aware of my habits (the good and the bad), and keeping them in check is a lifelong commitment for me. I don’t say that in a perfectionist way — more in a stay tuned in, curious, and consistent way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimegel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkimegel/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-egel/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kimegel
Image Credits
Under water image- Allie Riley
All other images (except for headshot- main image)- Renata Amazonas
