Hi there!

I'm Barefoot Katie –a quirky, spicy, free-spirited, introvert with a whole lot of interests. Welcome!

I make my living as a massage therapist and entrepreneur in a small town in Illinois. In recent years I’ve been learning to live more intentionally and sustainably, what I like to call Living the R.E.B.E.L. With a focus geared towards rewilding, natural movement, and pegan living, I’m carving out a life that has minimal impact on the environment and maximum impact on my well-being.

A Winding Path to How I Got Here

In 2012 I became a licensed massage therapist after deciding to make a career change. Graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in housing design in 2007, I worked in the field designing custom built homes for nearly 18 months. When the crash of 2008/2009 erupted, I found myself without a job. I settled for random unsatisfying positions to stay afloat. After nearly three years of unhappiness I knew I needed a change. Making lists, doing research, and following my intuition I decided to take a chance on massage therapy. I studied at Cortiva –The Loop in Chicago, and ended up graduating second in my class. Little did I know at the time how much I would fall in love with the human body and the way it moves.

While working at a local gym in my hometown for about two years, I realized the gym setting was definitely my calling. During those two years I took an additional job at Equinox –The Loop, where I went on to work for five years. At the start of 2015 I left my local gym to test the waters of starting my own business, looking to see private clients for massage therapy.

In September 2018 I took another leap –total self-employment. Knowing I could do it, I branched out on my own completely. I made the difficult decision to leave my job in Chicago. I am forever grateful for the wealth of knowledge earned and connections I made during my tenure there. I would not be as skilled and confident as I am today without having the opportunity to be a part of such an elite company. However, I now enjoy the freedom of being my own boss.

Expanding My Scope

In May of 2016 I completed my NASM personal training certification and broadened my scope of practice. Always the eager learner, in June 2016 I started my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training. Completing that certification in August 2016 I knew that the health and wellness field was something I could see myself in for the foreseeable future. There is always a way to expand and grow my skillset and business. In the past year I have moved away from the practice of yoga to a practice of primal movement and natural strength training. I feel I will always have a yoga centered mentality. The teachings of breathwork and meditation acquired during my yoga training have led me down path of great spiritual discovery.

Recently, I’ve taken to providing my clients with body treatments offering wraps, scrubs, and masks. I've done self-studies in herbalism through the Herbal Academy's online programs. Attending seminars and workshops on foot health and natural movement, I've gain even greater understanding of how the body moves. My hunger for knowledge is truly endless.

Finding My Way

During my schooling at Illinois State I was introduced to the concept of sustainability. The impact this would have on me over the next decade was something I couldn’t have fathomed then. It took many years of recklessness before I was able to see the negative effect it had on my mental and physical well being. This was when I opened a door of exploration into truly living intentionally. Learning that my daily actions do play a part in the current state of our world, I sought out ways to change my habits that do more harm than good. Reading and researching as much as possible to fully encompass what conscious intentional living truly means.

Plastic usage

Water consumption/waste/cleanliness

Where food is grown/raised

Shopping locally/regionally/nationally

Facing the truths of “do I really need this?”

Environmental conservation

Less fake and more real

I know I am just getting my toes wet with what I can truly do, and there is a long list of pioneers ahead of me to help guide me. My wish is to show others that is can be done. Our errors of learned behaviors, cultural conditioning, and past experiences can be used to make a change for the better.

Inspiration

This concept of living is not something new. In fact it is quite primeval. My hope is to show the value in choosing to live this way. While modern day life has taken us to great places, I strive to show that reconnecting to our roots and instincts can take us to a deeper, more meaningful existence. Blending what is accessible now with the authenticity that once was will make all our todays and tomorrows healthier.

My greatest inspiration comes from the likes of Thoreau, Emerson, and Whitman. Current motivators are Wim Hoff, Dan Crenshaw, David Goggins, Joe Rogan, and Erwan Le Corre. As well as a handful of women both naïve and wise that I'm blessed enough to call my family and personal friends.

What You’ll Find on this Site

The basis of this website will be to document my journey of health, wellness, spirituality, and growth. It will be a storybook of my path as I continue to develop a mind of intentional, conscious, natural living. Traveling is one of my greatest passions, and learning to reduce my footprint while still immersing myself with people around the world is at the forefront of my mind. Understanding other cultures and the keys to their success will allow me to take pieces of different thought back home to execute in my own life.

I look forward to sharing with you my adventures of challenges and accomplishments. Ever the realist, I’m sure there will be humor, tears, setbacks, victories, and many realizations along the way! Follow along and tell me about your journey to a happy, healthy, fulfilled life.

Other Places You Can Find Me

On the Web:

www.enhanced-wellness.com – This website goes hand in hand with my Massage Therapy business. It gives details about happens at my office, information about massage therapy, personal workout programming, classes, and scheduling.

Instagram

@barefoot.katie – Personal Account.

@barefoot.roaming – This account documents my travel adventures with my partner, Dan.

@enhanced.wellness – You'll find content related to Enhanced Wellness.

@barefoot.skyy – This account is photos I’ve captured of the our beautiful magically sky.

Facebook

Barefoot Katie

Enhanced Wellness

BarefootKatie83 - You can find loads of information that I have been pinning over the last 10 years. I've had an account since Pinterest began. I have thousands of pins neatly organized on hundreds of boards. Ranging from recipes, fitness, fashion, interiors, travel, and more! I recently just made 10+ private boards, public! I am pinning new items daily. Be sure to take a look.

I do have an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, and Rumble pages. I do not have Snapchat, Tiktok, Vero, or any other social page.

I have some other projects in the works as well!! As soon as I'm able to share more details I'll be posting here, so be sure to check back soon.

Feel free to reach out at any time!

Cheers! ✌❤