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KAT | Never too late to start or try 🇺🇸🇹🇼🇹🇭

@intentionally_kat

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💪🏻 Real-Life Wellness • Lagree Trainer
🤍 Caregiver • Mom • 🥪Gen Human In Progress
💌 [email protected]
📍 SF Bay Area
👇🏻 @citypulseacupuncture

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Five years ago I jumped into the water under our bungalow in Tahiti wearing a bikini and decided I was done waiting to feel ready for things.

My girls made me do it.

I wore fins for the first time and SNORKELED. Paddleboarded. Kayaked. Catamaraned. Is that a verb? Sipped champagne while stingrays and sharks moved underneath us, which is either the bravest or most reckless thing I’ve ever done. I’m choosing brave.

This was @hiltonmoorea with my college girls @seeshui @kimeyung @theshinylife — women who’ve known me since my very first bikini around age 20. They’ve seen every version. They don’t keep score. That’s why I travel with them.

If you’re sitting with bikini doubt right now — I was you. Five years ago I was absolutely you.

And the thing nobody told me is that the water does not care. Not even a little. The only person keeping score was me, and I finally stopped.

Get in the water. Book the overwater bungalow. Wear the bikini. It is never too late to show up for yourself.

🏝 @hiltonmoorea tips if you go:

Snorkel or paddleboard 8–10am before the wind picks up — the water is glass and you’ll see every fish below.

Free snorkel gear, fins, kayak and paddleboard rental included with your stay.

Splurge for the Premium Overwater Bungalow. Just do it.

👙 Have you been? Tell me below.

#IntentionallyKat #NeverTooLate #RealLifeWellness #Tahiti #WanderlustLife taken in Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa by @intentionally_kat

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5 years ago

It’s never too late to start or try, start over or try again.

I wrote that two years ago. I still mean every word.

Being 40-something means I stopped placing my worth on being skinny or a size zero. I’d rather spend that energy figuring out how to be strong — not just now but into my 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Some days that goes well. Some days it doesn’t. I keep showing up with whatever’s in the tank that day.

I found the @lagreefitness Megaformer almost 9 years ago at @transformmv and it changed how I think about my body. It’s low impact but high intensity, built around time under tension — which basically means slow, controlled movements that make your muscles work harder than you think they can. It’s one of the most effective and efficient ways I’ve found to build real strength. That’s why I still teach it and that’s why I won’t shut up about it.

You don’t have to do Lagree. I post about it hoping it gets you to move in whatever way works for you — and that includes walking.

I just started running on the treadmill at 43 in December thanks to @barrys with @april.maria9. I am not a runner. But I’m getting a little better each time and I’m starting to actually enjoy it, which I never thought I’d say.

You don’t have to run either.

Just find the thing that makes you want to come back. That’s it.

9 years later on the Megaformer.
Still figuring it out.

#IntentionallyKat #RealLifeWellness #NeverTooLate #LagreeLife #FitnessOver40 taken in Mountain View, California by @intentionally_kat

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3 years ago

@Nike reached out to me. Me.

The 40-something Lagree instructor who has been on Fourth Street since her 20s — shopping with @patsthebunny, eating ramen with X and @uscjessc, grabbing Peet’s, getting her brows done, working out with some of YOU in the very neighborhood this store now calls home.

I almost said “why me?” when the invitation came.
Then I remembered — I’ve been here the whole time.

Showing up. Living here. Being part of this community through every decade and every life change. Including the version of me who spent the last year as a full-time cancer caregiver to my mom and quietly wondered if public life was still something she belonged in.

It is.

Walking into @nikeby4thstreet as the person they asked to welcome the community, I felt something I want every woman over 40 to feel — chosen. And right on time.

To Store Manager JT, Brandon holding it down out front, and Maddie & Otis: my personal hype team who made every jumpsuit, romper and onesie feel like it was made for me. You made this a memory. Thank you.

To Nike — thank you for seeing that representation matters. That Asian women, moms, and the mature demographic (yes, I said it) deserve to be in the room. That the woman who has been in your community for 20 years is worth asking.

And to everyone who supported me through the quiet years of caregiving — this one’s for you too.

It is never too late to start. To start over. To try again.
This is 40-something. And it is just getting started. ✌🏻

→ Sign up for Nike Members via the link in bio for exclusive drops and events in Berkeley and beyond.
→ Flower arrangement therapy by @paraisoplantstudio 💐

#NikeLive #sponsored

#IntentionallyKat #NeverTooLate #RealLifeWellness taken in Fourth Street Shops by @intentionally_kat

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3 years ago

Eldest daughter syndrome — there’s a word for what happened to us, and I only learned it recently.
PARENTIFICATION. When a child takes on the responsibilities of an adult. I was seven.

Here’s what nobody tells you about being the one who handles it — and it isn’t only eldest daughters.
It’s whoever in the family got handed it first. You get so good at it that you stop being there for it. Something hard would happen with my mom and I’d go somewhere else. Still standing in the room. Still answering. Gone.

People see me as being calm. Being strong. Handling it.

It wasn’t any of those. It was leaving — and then having nothing left over for anyone, including me.

If you’ve ever finished a hard day with your person and couldn’t quite remember it, you’re not cold and you’re not broken.

You learned that somewhere. Probably early. Probably before you had any say in it.

Anyone else lived or living this truth?🙋🏻‍♀️
I see you. 🫂

#EldestDaughter #IntentionallyKat #RealLifeWellness #NeverTooLate #SandwichGeneration taken in San Francisco, California by @intentionally_kat

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12 days ago

I met these women at 18.
We’ve been through low-rise jeans, Abercrombie cargos, dresses over pants, trucker hats — and then, one day we grew up becoming mothers together with @kimeyung + @seeshui (missing @beingbec_ahhh & @theshinylife)
A cheers to living Y2K together IRL while sipping cocktails at @arquetrestaurant @sfferrybuilding.

I’m still working on reclaiming myself, and here’s what that looked like: with creative timing + planning, I did MORE in under 24 hours with my girlfriends than I usually manage in SIX months as caregiver to mom.

KBBQ like old times in KTown, except now it’s a new spot @olhsohouse (10 outta 10!) our families are at the table, and we’re home before 10 with face masks on.

Kimey and Ev survived their first Lagree class at @westcorestudio. Shui is my inspiration on the Megaformer these days — her consistency blows my mind and she gets me into the studio.

Have you tried brunch yet at newish Korean American fusion spot @whisper.sanmateo? Everything was delicious but don’t sleep on the Chicken + Waffles, DakJuk Korean congee and I was too slow to snap a pic of the Kimchi Carbonara.

I have no time and even less patience for baking, yet I learned to make macarons from scratch from @meowvelous.bakes with E, E + M in tow.
Another first at 46.

I look forward to teaching class and then chats over coffee or matcha with my dear client Alice at @bloomsgiving, who just told me my caregiving inspires her to stay positive. Alice. Who is in her 70s and has been caregiver to many and is exactly who I want to be at that age. Imagine that.

And the rest of it, because it’s the same week — acupuncture to treat my perimenopause woes & microneeding to zhuzh up my 46yo face at @citypulseacupuncture (but first, acupuncture for mom always) and the walk across the Kaiser parking lot after PT aka my version of a 150lb sled push.

This is what a full life actually looks like.
Not balanced.
Just full.
And filling those teeny cracks with joy per a recent reminder by @thememoirsofamommy . 💕

#IntentionallyKat #RealLifeWellness #sanfranciscobay #IntentionalLiving #athletacreator taken in San Francisco Bay Area by @intentionally_kat

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18 days ago

Self-care at 24 vs self-care at 46. SWIPE to the end for proof I’ve been at this a while. 🤍

Turns out my idea of taking care of myself hasn’t changed that much. Still ice cream. Still champagne and caviar with my siblings. Still wine o’clock when the day calls for it. Still meeting up with dear friends like @itsvikilin @munfung23 but now catching up on the latest supplements over lunch.

What’s *new* at 46:
a mani that’s actually functional (builder gel only — I do everything with these hands, thank you @meew.studio)
monthly acupuncture and microneedling with @citypulseacupuncture because this face IS an investment now
and somehow always finding time for our least favorite standing appointment — the ER. If you know, you know.

Some of the BEST self-care doesn’t cost a thing though.
Like coffee with Alice — my 70-something client who shows up to the same class as the 20-somethings and somehow always leaves me more inspired than when we sat down. She reminds me to fill my own cup, not just everyone else’s. I’m supposed to be the instructor. Alice teaches me every time.
Oh! And @americanair biz class booked super last minute with @americanexpress @marriottbonvoy -> @atmosrewards points. 🍨

Caregiver self-care isn’t bubble baths. It’s the ice cream date squeezed between everything. The champagne you say yes to because you earned it. The face appointment you finally stopped canceling (thank you Dr. @rachelrhemphill for being patient with me!).

And that last photo?
Me at 24 in Bangkok visiting family. I totally forgot about my grey contact lens era!
We don’t talk about it. (We’re talking about it.) I had also yet to discover the correct foundation shade and what is going on with that shimmery eyeliner?!

Same girl. Still here.
Still figuring out what taking care of myself looks like — now with better nails and a jacket I refuse to take off. @athleta Skyline Chore Jacket, doing the most all summer long.

What did your self-care look like in your 20s vs now? 👇🏼

Follow along for real-life wellness, caregiving, and proof the woman before the role is still in there.

#IntentionallyKat #RealLifeWellness #NeverTooLate #WholeBodyWellness #AthletaCreator taken in Up In The Air by @intentionally_kat

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2 months ago

I’ve been walking across that rug since 2016. Monday I’m back on the schedule — subbing 11 and 12 in Mountain View at @transformmv. 💙💙💙

I gave up my Monday slot when things got heavy at home. @kim_crosby & team have had you every week since, and you’ve been in good hands. I’ve missed it more than I let on.

Here’s what I’m still working out.
Teaching isn’t only the thing I give you. For 45 minutes I’m not managing anyone’s appointments or anyone’s homework — I’m the person at the front of the room who knows exactly what she’s doing.
I’m watching each & everyone of you so you make the most out of your time, money, effort & energy spent with me on the Megaformer. And I am in good company with a room full of people who are actively working on a better version of one’s self.

I lost track of her for a while.
Coming back to teach is how I go get her.

So come take a lunch class with me. 💙

And one more thing I keep turning over — ten years feels like it deserves something.
Should I throw a class to celebrate?
Say the word below and I’ll do it.

I say this often, you don’t know how much it means.
Clients past, present and yet to try…
Thank you for choosing to get stronger with me since 2016.

#IntentionallyKat #RealLifeWellness #NeverTooLate #IntentionalLiving #LagreeLife taken in Mountain View, California by @intentionally_kat

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19 days ago

gifted by ILIA Beauty🤍
I survived week one of a high schooler! So I gave myself two hours and my whole face back.

Eye makeup for a 46-year-old caregiver who does not have time but still wants to look like herself:
Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Faun (one swipe, no brush, no notes).
Thru Line Waterproof Liner in Abstract (waterproof because apparently I cry at drop-off now).
And my forever mascara, Limitless Lash in After Midnight.
All by @iliabeauty.

Two hours with a much needed pedicure, boba run, groceries and being no one’s anything for a minute. Then right back into the car line, beep beep.

Still me. Just with better mascara.

What do you do with your two hours when you finally get a free moment? 👇🏼

#ilia #iliabeauty #gifted_by_ILIABeauty 📍 @sephora @citycenterbishopranch taken in City Center Bishop Ranch by @intentionally_kat

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2 months ago

6 minutes that took 4 years.💪🏻💕🥳
Four years ago our mom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Today she walked out of her 4 Year Oncology check up down the hall to Surgery — a 6-minute walk through Kaiser with her walker, me behind her with the wheelchair just in case.

A year ago she couldn’t do this walk.
Two years ago she couldn’t do this walk.
Four years ago we didn’t know if we’d get HERE at all.

Almost 2 years of consistent PT. Doing the work at home every single day. Some days harder than others, falling and getting back up. Mom is stronger right now at 73 than she was at 69 when she was diagnosed.

Mom doesn’t quit. I get it from somewhere. 🤍

Happy 4 years, Mom.
Never too late.

#IntentionallyKat #RealLifeWellness #NeverTooLate #IntentionalLiving #SandwichGeneration taken in San Leandro, California by @intentionally_kat

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2 months ago

My sister @uscjessc surprised me with @oliviadeano tickets for my birthday and I almost didn’t go. 🌙🎂

Tired from caregiving. Tired from being mom. The couch was winning.
@uscjessc doesn’t take no for an answer. Thank god for that.

We got dressed up (no I am not a polka dot gal). We showed up. And the whole night just felt like being inside one of her songs.

I had barely any idea who Olivia Dean was a few months ago. Now I know every word to two of her songs because they lived in my FYP while I was doing caregiving tasks at midnight. Accidentally fell in love with her alone in the kitchen at 12am. Showed up to Chase Center and realized I was not alone.

We stood in that suite with a front and center view singing along with THOUSANDS of people who also knew every word. And I just thought — this is what making time for yourself actually looks like. Not a spa day. Not a wellness retreat. Sometimes it’s just your sister handing you a ticket and saying come on.

The crowd was noticeably kind. Like weirdly kind. Even the food vendor said something about it. I don’t know what it is about Olivia Dean but the people who show up for her are good people. 💕

Baby Steps wrecked us both. We just looked at each other like — YEP. And then Jess shimmy shimmied away. That one’s ours now, love you sis.

I walked in running on empty. Didn’t matter. Some nights are worth pulling yourself together for and this was absolutely one of them.

Never too late to discover an artist.
Never too late to let your sister take care of you for a night. 🤍

📍 If you’re going:
Doors at 7 · Baby Rose opens at 8 · Olivia Dean at 9, done by 10:45
Merch lines are LONG — sneak out mid-show or go early. Worth it.

Who drags you out when the couch is winning? Tag her. 👇🏼

#IntentionallyKat #sisterlove #caregiversupport #theartofloving #OliviaDean

Just a Nathan’s 🌭 and Aperol Spritz for me.

Ladies Room.

Chanel.🤍🤍🤍

Stay hydrated they say.

Chensies!

Love my sis @uscjessc 💕💕💕 taken in San Francisco, California by @intentionally_kat

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2 months ago

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3 months ago

Happy birthday to our incredible instructor Kat ⭐️🎊💝

Queen Kat is officially back and we could not be happier!!! Thank you Kat for being a huge part of this community for so many years - we missed you immensely 🥲

Comment below to wish our wonderful @intentionally_kat a very happy birthday 💙 taken in Transform Fitness Studio by @intentionally_kat

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3 months ago