To be a successful leader you must have the inner fortitude to continue after every setback, disappointment, loss, or failure. Because they are an inevitability. I love what Elon Musk said, “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” That is the essence of passionate resilience. Your purpose will propel you to keep going no matter what.
The term Blue Zones has been used to describe places where people live long and healthy lives. What exactly does it take to live a long and healthy life? What is the science and the secret behind longevity and life extension? In this series, we are talking to medical experts, wellness experts, and longevity experts to share “5 Things You Need To Live A Long, Healthy, & Happy Life”. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Richardson
Kathleen is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, Amazon Best-Selling Author and an Intermittent Fasting Expert. Kathleen is purposed to provide her readers and clients with paradigm shifts that allow them to experience themselves and their lives healthy, healed, and whole.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
Thank you so much for having me. I have been on a radical journey of self-mastery for 15 years. My quest began when I listened to the deep desire in my heart to be the become the best possible version of myself and achieve self-actualization. This led me to heal physically, spiritually, and energetically in a holistic and African centered way that honored who I was at the soul level and paid homage to my ancestors.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
When I began undergraduate college, my dad wanted me to major in Accounting. But I wanted to major in Sociology and follow the footsteps of one of my greatest heroes, W.E.B DuBois.
He and I went back and forth, and finally I decided that I could make both of us happy. I pursued a double major. The interesting part is that I have been in the accounting field for 14 years. So it turns out he was right lol. Everyone is always shocked to hear that I am an Accountant because I definitely do not fit the general accountant stereotype.
That taught me the power of compromise and negotiation. I learned that I could both honor others and myself. I could have fought with my father and disappointed him and followed my own path. But it wouldn’t have been as joyous. I learned the power of intelligent and strategic defiance. I also learned that there is more than one way to do something and if you think critically, you can solve problems with ease.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am eternally grateful for my Business Partner and Mentor, Edward Williams who is the founder of Health By Any Means Necessary. He asked me to join his team to radically improve the health of the black community by leveraging the transformative power of intermittent fasting. Because of his 24-hour community fast, I began a radical intermittent fasting journey that has changed my life in untold ways.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Passionate Resilience, Being teachable, and Gratitude
To be a successful leader you must have the inner fortitude to continue after every setback, disappointment, loss, or failure. Because they are an inevitability. I love what Elon Musk said, “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” That is the essence of passionate resilience. Your purpose will propel you to keep going no matter what.
To be a successful leader you must also be teachable. You must be able to accept constructive criticism and be a lifelong learner. Being teachable allows you to remain humble knowing that you will never “arrive” because there are more mistakes to learn from and higher levels of personal growth to activate. This will also ensure you remain one step ahead of the pack. Being complacent is the easiest way to fall from grace.
To be a successful leader you must forever be grateful. One of my favorite quotes is by Meister Eckhart who said, “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you’, that would suffice”. Gratitude is such an underrated quality in today’s world. But the ability to sit back and count your many, many blessings and to count what you have left instead of what you have lost is a special gift that will inspire and motivate others.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview about health and longevity. To begin, can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fields of health, wellness, and longevity? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?
I have the following certifications and educational background:
- Holistic Nutritionist
- Nutrition and Wellness Consultant
- Yin Yoga Instructor
- Vaginal Steam Facilitator
- Death Doula
- M.S Health Administration and Public Health
In addition to that I am an Intermittent Fasting Expert. I have been intermittent fasting for over 1,500 consecutive days. I have mastered the art of healing by leveraging the transformative power of Intermittent Fasting. I have been able to reverse a diagnosis of hypertension and menorrhagia. I have achieved a level of healing and health that I never thought was possible and I want to share this information with my community.
You’ll never encounter a Holistic health practitioner like me. You can’t put me into any box. The minute you think you have been able to categorize me or figure me out, I will say or do something that shows you had it wrong. I am unapologetic in my loyalty to my ancient ancestors and the methods they have utilized to live long healthy lives before coming into contact with western modern medicine.
Seekers throughout history have traveled great distances and embarked on mythical quests in search of the “elixir of life,” a mythical potion said to cure all diseases and give eternal youth. Has your search for health, vitality, and longevity taken you on any interesting paths or journeys? We’d love to hear the story.
Oh my, yes! I watched my great-grandmother succumb to a massive heart attack and stroke. I watched my grandmother’s quality of life deteriorate year after year as she suffered through various comorbidities. Everyone in my family takes medications. I didn’t want that to be my existence. I wanted to live long. But more than that I didn’t want to spend my life stuck in the vicious cycle of the US healthcare system of doctor visits, trips to the pharmacy and back home to remain ill. That desire set in motion my quest to learn everything I could about health and wellness. I learned and I am still learning so much! And once I rediscovered the power of fasting, game over! At 38 years old, I am the healthiest and happiest I’ve ever been! My heart is SO full knowing that I have the knowledge and power to be reclaim my birthright of being healthy, happy, and whole and I look forward to aging gracefully, full of vitality and strength.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Live A Long & Healthy Life”? (Please share a story or an example for each)
- Intermittent & Extended Fasting
- Clean Water
- Deep, restorative sleep
- Sunshine
- Clean Eating
Fasting is the fundamental healing principle of healing. Autophagy is the evolutionary mechanism the body uses to self-preserve. Autophagy may completely destroy damaged parts of cells or recycle them into new components which are then used for cellular repair. Isn’t that absolutely amazing!?! The body then begins to regenerate newer, healthier cells. Autophagy only occurs when you fast.
Water is the body’s most essential nutrient and is also the nutrient that is most lacking in our diet. Most Americans are diagnosed with various chronic diseases, but the reality is they are dehydrated. Nothing lives without water! Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, MD wrote a very insightful book called, You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty: Water for Health, for Healing, for Life. He provides a wonderful list providing 46 reasons your body needs water. I just want to highlight one when it comes to longevity; Water generates electrical and magnetic energy inside each and every cell of the body-it provides the power to live.
Deep, Restorative Sleep is absolutely necessary to live a long, healthy life. After air and water, sleep is what the body needs most. The body cannot survive longer than 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and after just 3 days of insufficient sleep, the body begins to suffer the consequences of sleep deprivation. How long can the body survive without food? 3 weeks! During deep, restorative sleep, physical and psychological recovery occurs which is vital for longevity.
Sunshine is vital to our health and wellness. Our bodies, bones, muscles, and organs all benefit from sunlight. The sun charges and extends our biological battery!
Eating food that is heavily processed and full of artificial and genetically modified ingredients will accumulate as toxins in the body that cause excessive wear and tear on the organs. If toxins build up in the cells it can permanently alter the cellular genes, making it difficult for the cell to repair itself. Eating food from the earth that is organic and fresh provides vital nutrients and antioxidants to the body. Your energy levels will increase as your body and brain are being fueled with its preferred source of material for new cellular growth.
Can you suggest a few things needed to live a life filled with happiness, joy, and meaning?
Turn off the news, laugh until your stomach hurts and love your family and friends with everything that is in you. It really is the simple things in life that make life truly worth living.
Some argue that longevity is genetic, while others say that living a long life is simply a choice. What are your thoughts on this nature vs. nurture debate? Which is more important?
We do inherit DNA and genes from our parents that were inherited from their parents and so on, but what is more important than the presence of the gene is the activation of that gene. If I have genes that predispose me to Hypertension, what matters is IF those genes are expressed and activated. If they remain dormant and unexpressed, then I have nothing to worry about. And lifestyle or “nurture” determines activation and expression.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
“Everything is alright in the end. If it’s not alright, it’s not the end”. When I get weary, I remember this quote and it allows me to remain hopeful and to keep pushing because my story isn’t over until everything is alright. And neither is yours, if you have the courage to believe it.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would love to see everyone begin to Intermittent fast. If everyone began to fast, the overall health and wellness of Americans would improve. People would be healthier and happier.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
Please feel free to grab your FREEBIES by visiting my website, MelaninRichWellness.COM and subscribe to the blog for more in depth information about how to live longer and healthier.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
It was truly my pleasure! Thank you!