Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:00:00]: Welcome back to another episode of the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast. Here we are. And we are actually moving into the two year anniversary of my podcast. I'm super thrilled and I have a super special guest. My name is Dr. Christiane Schroeter and I'm the host of this podcast. And why don't we have our guest introduce herself? Welcome. Kate Lowpensky [00:00:21]: Hi. This is so exciting for me because I host a podcast as well that you were a guest on. And I've never been the guest on a podcast before, so this is a first for me and I'm very excited. But anyways, my name is Kate Lowpensky. I am a can't believe I'm saying this. I'm a graduating senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I'm graduating in two weeks about. And I'm a journalism student and I also have so many jobs and other things going on as well. Kate Lowpensky [00:00:49]: It's hard to like summarize myself in one fair swoop because I'm just busy. I met Christiana through her bar classes that she teaches and I'm there every Tuesday and Thursday as a faithful student. And I'm just so happy to be a guest on here. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:01:04]: Oh, thank you, Kate. I'm actually really happy too, because it's kind of like a graduating gift for you majoring in this area. And then of course, we are all curious. You already hinted a little bit that you lead a busy life. So why don't we get started with the first question? What is your superpower, Kate? Kate Lowpensky [00:01:23]: So you sent me these questions ahead of time and I just kind of asked around just to make sure that we were all on the same page as my friends and family. Just to confirm, and I would say in one word, my superpower is my determination. Because no matter how overwhelmed I am or how many things I have on my plate, I have passions and I want to pursue them. And so I'm never willing to back down and just keep chugging through no matter how much pressure is on me. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:01:52]: I love that word determination. Tying in with resilience and grit and really having that focus. And obviously you are graduating in two weeks, so it looks like you did an amazing job with your determination. Getting so close to the finish line now. Kate Lowpensky [00:02:10]: Yeah, I mean, it was really nice because I was able to come into school with a lot of credits knocked out. So. And my major too is it allows for a lot of creativity and ability to pursue your passion. So I was able to actually add on two minors. I'm minoring in Italian studies and Religious studies. So very diverse education. I just get to learn about everything, which is really cool. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:02:35]: Not just one minor, but two. So for each hand she has a minor and then she has her head in the major. I love that we are like completely feeling. When you hug somebody, all the education will just ooze out of you. Kate Lowpensky [00:02:48]: I, I love learning. That's why it's been like. Honestly, when I was in middle school, I definitely got made fun of for that, you know, like. But I wouldn't say I was necessarily like a teacher's pet, but it was more so like I just wanted to be there. I liked learning new things. It has just always been that way. So it's going to be interesting seeing what life is like after I graduate when I'm not in this classroom environment and the student. But I mean, I guess people still say you're a student in life after you graduate. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:03:17]: What was the biggest challenge when you look back in your life and, and you know, like if you were to point that one moment where you really said that was a tough one. What is it? Kate Lowpensky [00:03:28]: I think I've always just, just across the board. I, I mean, I don't know if it's just like one circumstance. I think I just have. I hate calling it being a people pleaser, but I just want to make sure that everyone's happy and they're for like sacrificing my own happiness for other people's feelings. And like of course like almost every other like 12, 13 year old girl. I faced my fair share of like middle school drama and then high school drama with the friend group and just. Yeah, it's. But it made me who I am today. Kate Lowpensky [00:04:02]: There were days that I didn't want to go to school because of like things being said about me behind my back or. I don't know, it was just, it was a really interesting part of my life, but it made me who I am today. And also I struggled a lot with self confidence. Like I just, I don't know, I was never like the beautiful swan when I was younger. I was more so ugly duckling situation. I had braces, I had acne, it was the whole shebang. But then I've learned to grow into myself and become more confident in who I am and just own my personality. Confidence is something that everyone pretty much struggles with. Kate Lowpensky [00:04:42]: I've never met one person who's absolutely secure in who they are. But I just think it takes time and learning and surrounding yourself and people that accept you for who you are and then you can accept yourself for who you are as well. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:04:52]: I love that attitude. It's kind of like this. I'm better because there were some moments in my life that were really bitter. Right. You're better because things were bitter. And the other aspect that I really want to point out is that you looked at things like they. They were there for a reason. Right. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:11]: They happened and they were there to path the way forward. It's always great to look back and say, this happened for me. And now I'm looking at this as something that shaped who I am today and I'm going to move on. And having these experiences makes me a better person. And I'm not going to bitter about this. Kate Lowpensky [00:05:33]: Absolutely. Yeah. I don't regret anything for the world. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:37]: Love it. Kate Lowpensky [00:05:37]: Yeah. And can I just say, like, the way that I'm being so vulnerable right now, like, this is not something that I would just come out and say. So. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:44]: Yeah. Kate Lowpensky [00:05:44]: Thanks for creating this environment. I feel like I can just talk to you, which is great. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:48]: Very good. And actually, by sharing who you authentically are and that you are really struggling, we all kind of feel like, oh, yeah, I have experienced that too. Middle school was not fun for myself either. And the struggles you went through, for sure. Kate Lowpensky [00:06:04]: Yeah. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:06:04]: And that's. Kate Lowpensky [00:06:04]: You have daughters around that age now, right? Yeah. So I'm sure that you've heard all the fun things that tween girls get to go through. I mean, any advice I can give to them, I've had. I have this like, younger cousin. And just during all of that, I was just like, it's. It's going to get better, I promise. I didn't really like hit my stride until like end of high school, going into college, so just comes with patience. Yeah, yeah. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:06:30]: And it's actually good to also think a little bit about the moment in time, the experience that you make, and more thinking of this as being a learning moment too, because you don't want to do the same things over and over again, the same mistakes. Let's just call it. You more want to think, okay, that was my first attempt in learning something. And maybe next time when I'm doing this, I'm going to do it a little bit differently so that you actually, as the word really says, like growing up. Right. Your second time will be more educated because you figure it out. So sometimes you have a group of friends that might not be ideal and you're learning something from it, maybe moving on to some other people. Kate Lowpensky [00:07:09]: Yeah. But honestly, like, when it comes to those people, no bad blood, you know? Absolutely not. As. As Your girl Taylor Swift would say, yeah, we don't have any bad blood. Like, it's literally it. And I hope that everyone is doing well now because, let's face it, we were all insecure and weird in middle school, and I don't know why I keep talking about this. I think. I think just you, like, asking me that question kind of probed me to, like, where was that pivotal time in your life? And I think it was then. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:07:37]: Good. Kate Lowpensky [00:07:38]: Yeah. And that's perfect. I kind of had that realization again my freshman year of college, too, like, moving away from high school because I was a little bit shyer. You ask people now. I tell people I was shy back in, like, high school, and they were like, what, you? Yeah. But I went into college saying, okay, you can totally be someone new. Not new, keep yourself. But you can challenge yourself to, like, meet new people and get involved in things and, like, be a part of things you would never expect yourself to be. Kate Lowpensky [00:08:08]: Like the fact that I host a podcast and I work for a music festival company now, where I'm constantly having to talk to people. It's been an amazing experience. And, like, I'm still my same self at my core, but I'm so much prouder of the person that I am today. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:08:23]: Yeah. You just have to kind of step into yourself. And there's something that I want to share with the audience as well that you created in your mind. You call it Cristiana Bingo. Share with us what is Christiana Bingo. Kate Lowpensky [00:08:35]: Okay. So I love going to your workout classes because it's just a way for me to step out of my busy life. And one thing is pain that you put me through sometimes. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:08:44]: Good. My body workouts. Kate Lowpensky [00:08:46]: Burning. Yeah. But to keep myself entertained, I invented Christiana Bingo. Because you bring up the same things every single class. Like, it's the same themes. So as of recently, it's been your daughter's Valentine's Day. The color pink. Taylor Swift sparkles. Kate Lowpensky [00:09:02]: Yeah. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:09:03]: Pleasure. Kate Lowpensky [00:09:05]: And I love it. It's so fun. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:09:07]: And so you're thinking about those themes, and they help you pushing past any pain points. Kate Lowpensky [00:09:13]: They do, really? Because sometimes it's easy, like when you're in a workout class, to disassociate the instructor from actually being a real human being. And the fact that talk about your life and what you're interested in, it just makes you, like, it makes me come back for more. Because it's like, every time I come to one of your classes, I get to learn more about Christiana. This is so much fun. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:09:36]: And I Actually build stories to where I say, all right, this is what I'm doing on the weekend. If you want to know how it ended up being, come back on Tuesday so you have something to look forward. Kate Lowpensky [00:09:45]: To, because that's why you're an authority. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:09:48]: Yeah, of course. My new book, which is called the Petite Practice Planner. So my trademarked small microhabits, we're going to share how the Christiana Bingo could be a habit that you could all build. So what or who helped you come over these struggles? Kate Lowpensky [00:10:04]: What. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:10:05]: What do you think was the catalyst that really got you out of this? Kate Lowpensky [00:10:08]: I mean, I would absolutely say my parents. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:10:10]: Good. Kate Lowpensky [00:10:10]: Every time I was insecure with myself, they were right behind me, backing me through everything. They have just always encouraged me to be my true, authentic self, even when it was embarrassing. Like, I. I was a total theater kid in middle school. Like, I would just go on stage, wear my costumes, and do my thing. I wasn't good necessarily, but they were in the audience, like, cheering for me every time. And then when I decided to go the more, like, athletic route and do, like, high school sports, they'd be in the crowds again, cheering me on. And every time that I doubt myself, like, I don't know, I'll have. Kate Lowpensky [00:10:47]: Like, of course I'll have my panic attacks here in school. Like, I'll be walking home from class and I'll just, like, my person is my mom. I'll call her and she'll. You're very much into planning, and so is she. She's very, like, let's make a list. Let's prioritize things and get them done in order. And what's stressing you out the most? How can you solve your problems? Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:11:08]: Good. Kate Lowpensky [00:11:09]: So. And then my dad is just the most fun person ever and just so proud to be my dad, which is incredible. And so just having them as, like, my constant support system. Also, like, being an only child, I've had to kind of rely on them very deeply for that kind of emotional support, and they've done more than a good job, so. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:11:31]: Oh, I love that. And it's such a great way to wrap up the podcast episode, too, because we are curious. How can we stay in touch with you? Where could we find you? Kate, share a little bit with us. Kate Lowpensky [00:11:42]: Okay. So I feel like I'm most active on my Instagram. It's at Katelopenski. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:11:48]: Okay. Kate Lowpensky [00:11:49]: You can put it in the link, probably because I have a long last name, and I mean, I'm. I'm. I'm out of here. So I Feel like anything that I'm doing at Cal Poly right now, I'm kind of closing those chapters and moving on, so. And honestly, like, I don't know what's next. Like, I could be staying in California. I might be moving to Italy. Like, there's so many different possibilities. Kate Lowpensky [00:12:16]: So I feel like, to sum it up, you can't find me in one place. You can watch me go wherever I am, but I'm just gonna keep exploring who I am and who I'm meant to be and keep growing into myself. And, of course, like, continue being inspired by amazing people like my parents, my friends, and you. And. Yeah, so love it. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:12:38]: In my head, I wanted to point out two different things. One of them was we can do a part two to this, and we're going to label it catching up with Kate. Kate Lowpensky [00:12:49]: We can absolutely do that. Let's do that after I graduate. And just. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:12:52]: Kate. I love that. Kate Lowpensky [00:12:53]: Yeah. When I'm working, like, two or three jobs and figuring that out. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:12:57]: So that will be part two to this beautiful episode here today. And the second thing is my new book, discover your superpower. So that could be, you know, something that all of us might need. Superpowers we tap into, superpowers we discover. And I'm just right now already telling you, that might be, like, one of my absolute favorite books that I ever wrote. I'm an excited audience. Kate Lowpensky [00:13:19]: I'm excited, too. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:13:21]: And then, of course, we always feel we are growing, we are learning. And it sounds like this might be, like, the overarching theme here for today that, you know, it's life is a learning journey, and we just need to be aware about that and stay open to possibilities and just go for it. I so appreciate having you on this podcast episode here today, Kate. Kate Lowpensky [00:13:41]: Thank you so much for making me reflect on everything. I had to go. I was really back in my psyche there. That was. We got deep. Yeah, I love that short amount of time. Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:13:52]: And to the audience, if you have not reflected yet on what your superpower is or your defining moment in your life, was that middle school? Was it high school? I would love to learn. Share that with me in the comments. Reach out with an email. If there was something that really resonated with you today, I would love to hear that. Otherwise, stay tuned for the next episode, Happy Healthy Hustle. I'm your host, Dr. Christiane Schroeter, and I can't wait to connect more. Thank you.