Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin Brady.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kaitlin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started _justbeetit the summer before my junior year of college (2015). Prior to that, I was living your typical college life – long nights, pizza dinners, the occasional workout before a sorority formal – I wasn’t prioritizing my health, but I was having fun. That summer, I was working long hours at my summer internship and living alone in Boston. I was missing the “fun” and the “community” that I was so used to having, but I also knew deep down that my health had been put on the back burner and it was starting to affect other aspects of my life. I’m not entirely sure what made me turn to Instagram to help me discover the true meaning of balance.
At the time, it wasn’t anywhere near the platform it is today, but there was still a small community on there sharing recipes and workouts to promote healthy lifestyles. Those three months helped me rediscover the importance of health, and through _justbeetit, I created a passion for cooking and creativity in the kitchen, while also fueling my passion for exercise and movement. It started as a way for me to stay accountable with my new routines but turned into so much more. That community fed my desire for meeting new people and creating connections that I’ve always loved. _justbeetit has seen a lot of changes since then. I’ve gone through times of frequent posting and months of silence while still supporting the community that helped me from the sidelines, but one thing has remained unchanged: the incredible connections and inspiration that comes from that platform.
Has it been a smooth road?
Two words: Instagram algorithms. You either love it or hate it. To be honest, I’m grateful this account isn’t my sole source of income. It takes away the pressure of posting or being present. It’s meant that _justbeetit has always been a true creative outlet for me. Although I once would reach 500-700 likes on a photo, these days I rarely reach 100 and that is quite alright with me. It’s not about likes, comments or impressions. It’s about posting content that feeds my soul. And if I can inspire others along the way, then that’s just a double win.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
Outside of Instagram, I’m still creating content, just in a different format. I work at a digital agency writing copy for all different types of businesses, so it’s safe to say content creation is really at the core of what I do, which makes sense that I would be so drawn to Instagram above all other social platforms. It’s also always been a way for me to better understand the digital space so I can better serve my clients.
What sets me apart? These days it feels like everybody has a second Instagram account for something. Sure, you could say I’m “just another food account” or “just another health account,” but this account is a reflection of me. I don’t always share food. Sometimes it’s a picture of the beach or a quick snap of my favorite shoes. I’m proud that through all of the changes we’ve seen on Instagram, I’ve always stayed true to me. Yes, my pictures look different, what I share changes every year, but that’s life. We change, we grow, and shouldn’t our platforms be a reflection of that?
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
_justbeetit has seen a lot of different cities. From Boston to Dallas to San Diego and different vacations between, I’ve been able to see firsthand how your space affects your social media. California has been incredible. The passion for health here is incredibly contagious, and there are endless avenues for self-improvement. That said, there’s definitely a difference between San Diego and say a city like LA or NYC. While San Diego far surpasses smaller towns, it’s still a smaller city compared to many others.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While there might not be as many health-based companies headquartered here or fitness events taking place, there’s still a community. I’ve only been here for a couple of years and this is still something I’m working on but you definitely have to put yourself out there – whether on social or in real life. Introduce yourself, invite people for a cup of coffee, support the community around you and they will support you back. Whether it’s a community of 5 people or 50, it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality and staying true to yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _justbeetit
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COVID-19 Conversations:
Covid-19 is affecting so many in our community. It’s a health and economic crisis, but we can come together as a community to share ideas, solutions to problems, and resources to ensure that we all bounce back strong once the virus is defeated. Check out our conversation with photographer and Voyage Content Partner Stephanie Mantiply below.
