Life & Work with Krista Lee Bora

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Lee Bora.

Hi Krista Lee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Started from magazine publishing now we’re here! I’m originally from Burlington, Vermont and moved to New York City after graduating high school one month after turning 18 to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology where I majored in Advertising & Marketing Communications and graduated n May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

I spent seven years living and working in the city at various publishing and media companies such as Women’s Health magazine, Crain Communications, and BizBash Media. While working at Crain, I found myself unfilled with a standard 10-6pm work routine so I became a certified Surfset Fitness instructor to infuse my enthusiasm and energy into motivating others to dive into a fun form of fitness.

About a year after that, I had to move home for scoliosis surgery and left NYC in October 2017. I had scoliosis surgery on February 1, 2018 at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington, VT where I not only gained 2-inches at the age of 25 but endured multiple mini strokes at some point of my spine surgery unbeknownst to my surgeon and his medical team until the next day. I was forced to realize I had experienced complications during surgery for no known reason after countless MRIs and blood tests and would require me to remain in the hospital for approximately one month after my surgery to regain adequate functioning back from experiencing multiple mini strokes.

While making my way back to my complete self, I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) online to transition my career and help others in a more genuinely-fulfilling career post-surgery. I then took my first trip to Nashville, TN to run my 2nd half marathon (first since my spine surgery) with a friend of mine and just knew Nashville was to be my next home.

Fast forward to May 2019, I was slowly starting to get back into the workforce after some assisted work in 2018 after recovering enough from my surgery to be back in action on a modified part-time level. I was still going to multiple appointments a week post-op as well as occupational therapy and physical therapy. It’s been a wild adventure as then in May 2019, I started working at a rehabilitation gym teaching group fitness to those who’ve also endured either serious health condition or physical ailment, which was best suited after my recent surgery experience. I was starting to come back to my old high-functioning futuristic mindset overachiever that I always have been yet, modify it for the betterment of my health and well-being. Then 2020 hit and I was furloughed, I had intended to move out to Nash in 2020 but the world had other plans which I’m now extremely grateful for. I then worked variety of miscellaneous food and fitness jobs up until I moved here to Nashville on October 10, 2021, after two and a half years in the process. I couldn’t be happier with my decision as I’m slowly but surely settling into my new environment and finding work that fulfills my passion yet, financially satisfies me for integrative happiness!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
NOT AT ALL. But seriously – I’m the ambitious one who’s strong-willed and determined AF to make things happen once I have my mind made up and oftentimes – life likes to throw curveballs into the mix to spice things up and keep you growing and expanding for the better. My scoliosis surgery was a complex mental, emotional and physical struggle in itself let alone having moved back in with my parents after 7 years of independence becoming my own woman in New York City – I felt like I had reversed in life. Beyond thankful for therapy which has been the best decision of my life thus far to acknowledge my own mental health and learn to prioritize personal needs.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve shape-shifted a ton in my 20s. Part I’ve been forced to due to changing industries of print publishing and media, the need for a lucrative and sustainable career, as well as personal priorities I’ve felt along the way. With a background based in fashion and creative spaces within the publishing world, I take those skills with me from my work experience and education in now operating in the health, wellness & fitness field.

I’m an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a specialization in Gut Health which I utilize working with brands in social media space and by working in food-related businesses where I get to use my love of interacting with people and health knowledge combined. I also am certified in two forms of group fitness: Surfset Fitness a surf-inspired HIIT workout and 305 Fitness a Miami-inspired dance cardio party disguised as a full-body workout. I love to infuse fun into any line of business. I have an ebook of my #BoraBlends creations – nutritious blended concoctions for one simple additive of health to incorporate into your day.

I am known for my fierce energy, enthusiasm, drive for success and motivation to go after anything I set my mind to regardless what my close peers are doing. I’m a unique individual who’s super into astrology, music, dancing, full of zest, and oftentimes move faster than most humans on a daily basis. My mind goes a mile a minute and I sometimes need to remind my brain to slow down so people can clearly understand what I’m saying when I get revved up about something. I 100% march to the beat of my own drum as I have since 1992!

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I moved here to Nashville knowing nobody, meeting my roommate online after not knowing her in person until we moved in together, solidifying a part-time job after interviewing in June (2nd time I’d ever been to Nash), and signing a lease to our apartment essentially blind (not seeing EXACT unit we paid for until move-in yet, I had toured the complex when visited for move prep in June), with all of my family in Vermont and friends in the Tri-State area (mostly NYC) being 17 hours away from home all because I was game for a new city and needed a warmer climate after having titanium rods put in my back to hold my spine aligned which creates a chill in frozen temps found in the Northeast.

I am a high-functioning dedicated as hell powerhouse who ONLY applied to one college – the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC because I’m decisive and don’t believe in back up plans just goals with action plans I establish for myself. This isn’t something I inherited from my family – I’m the odd one who strives to go after my dreams with full gusto with the odds all against me and plenty of naysayers questioning my bold moves.

Contact Info:

• Email: krista.lee.bora@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristaleebora/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristaleebora