Meet Kristen Rivenbark | Holistic Health Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Rivenbark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
I think about “The Values Factor” by Dr. John DeMartini often. It’s such a foundational way of thinking about life, decision making, and a guide for day to day engagement, that will only steer you in the direction. The theory is that when you identify what you value most, you can align your life accordingly in any area of your life, and find fulfillment in whatever it is you’re doing. I use this tool to help my clients identify their core values in my health coaching practice and I used it to create a satisfying life for myself as well. It’s an exceptional book that can be re-read as you shift into different chapters of life, and perhaps your core values even change a bit.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been interested in people. As a kid, I sat with the adults at dinner parties and remember watching Dead Man Walking and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in middle school/high school and deciding to major in Psychology in college, which I did! I interned at the jail in Trenton, NJ, doing intake interviews for those awaiting bond hearings. I was always interested in understanding more about people, especially those who were struggling in certain areas of life. After college, I realized that becoming a Psychologist was essentially running a business and managing overhead and admin tasks that I wasn’t ready for so I found myself in the role of “Human Resources Generalist” which is so common for us Psychology majors. I learned everything that I could at each company and worked my way up but I was really craving the human connection and personal LIFE experience that you can’t get into in the corporate space. There’s a fine balance between working for the company and the employee.

I have always been passionate about health and wellbeing, since as far back as I can recall. I used to read my grandfather’s “Prevention Magazine” when I was around 12, I think. I have tried every diet, exercise trend and read up on all the “ground breaking” theories on health and wellness. When I moved from Philly to Los Angeles, I lost 30 lbs., stopped drinking alcohol, found “my people” and have completely transformed my own life.

I had an opportunity during my maternity leave to delve into IIN and it was the most expanding, exciting experience, professionally. I have seen the most incredible changes in the overall wellbeing of the women I’ve worked with (we use a visual tool at the start and the finish of each program that is undeniable!) and I continue to educate myself on everything and anything wellness related. I am often trying things on myself first, but what I’ve found is that we overcomplicate health and wellbeing dramatically and it’s really quite simple. It can be so easy to get sucked into the commercialism of “wellness” as a billion dollar industry, when a mindset shift can change everything.

What I’ve learned along the way (and it hasn’t been easy at all, juggling a full-time job, motherhood, self-limiting beliefs, friendships, health coaching) is that you have to listen to your intuition. Clear the noise, meditate, get out in nature without a podcast or music (or another person) and let your mind guide you. Then listen. I’ve started and stopped, had to pivot, decided something wasn’t working or leaned in more to something else, and it’s all part of the journey. There is no failure or “bad decision”. It’s all a redirection guiding you to the places you’re meant to go and I remind myself and my clients of that regularly!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, this is so fun!

One of my favorite places of all time is Ojai. Stay at the Ojai Valley Inn if you can swing it and if you’re looking for something more budget friendly, the Capri Hotel is great. You will immediately feel a sense of peace because those mountains have the most incredibly healing energy. I actually did a podcast episode with the founder of Lark Ellen Farms granola, who lives in Ojai and confirmed this as a local! Head to Hip Vegan for delicious plant-based food after a hike at Middle Fork of Matilija Canyon. You can also just head up to Meditation Mount and be sure to time it so that you get the “pink moment” at sunset. The sky is insanely beautiful. Before you head out (I’d stay 2 day, one night), take a stroll down the main street downtown to check out all of the little shops.

I love Malibu and always take visitors to Carbon Beach. Park on the PCH and take a walk along the beach, then head over to Taverna Tony or Lucky’s for dinner.

Skull Rock is one of my favorite hikes. Park at Temescal Canyon road and take it all the way up until you have perfect views of the ocean. Then hang right, up to the “skull rock” and climb up for photos if you aren’t afraid of heights. Treat yourself to a Buddha Bowl (acai bowl) at Sun Life Organics afterwards and if you have time (and energy) head over to The Village in the Pacific Palisades to shop or hang in the grassy area (they have nice big blankets you can grab to sit on).

Remedy Place in West Hollywood is a great spot for a sound bath, meditation or cold plunge. While you’re over there, pop into Book Soup to browse their amazing selection of books and records. My favorite restaurant is Crossroads for the best vegan food (owned by Travis Barker) that tastes better than any food you’ve ever had. The vibes are fun and I have run into a few celebs there (hello, Maya Rudolph!)

Erewhon is a regular staple for me so we’re going there for sure. Don’t be fooled by the “celebrity” smoothies though…they’re just $22 sugar bombs! The kale white bean salad is my favorite, and their cold brew or matcha with house-made coconut milk is divine. My secret is to head out to the Calabasas location to avoid the frenzy at Beverly Hills, Studio City or Beverly Grove!

There is so much to do and see in Los Angeles, and within 2 hours from LA, that my list of things I still want to do is so long 10 years later!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In the words of Snoop Dog, I’d like to thank me… just kidding (kind of?). I am so grateful to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), which is where I received my certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Every lecture, module and guest speaker were so enlightening. I devoured the yearlong course and it’s provided me with a structure for health coaching, but in my own way. I am also so grateful to all of my clients and their vulnerability in sharing their experiences, because we are all human and so much more similar than we realize. While I guide them to make the changes that will create a total up-level, I also learn so much about life. I can also credit Gabby Bernstein for being the catalyst to making my own life changes. I will always remember coming across her books while I was living in Philadelphia, totally lost in my own life. Her words and perspective gave me the insight and courage to leave it all behind, move across the country to Los Angeles, and create the life that lights me up today.

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