Meet Christina Gayman | Public Relations Professional & Outdoor Enthusiast

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

Hi Christina, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I think “work life balance” should truly be thought of as “work life integration” – especially if you enjoy what you do for work.

I’ve held many communications, public relations and marketing roles at newspapers, magazines, marketing agencies, and both privately held and publicly traded companies, and I never found a true “balance.”

When I was in my 20s and early 30s, I was very focused on learning all I could, doing really great work and being recognized and promoted for said great work. The public relations and marketing industries place high value on the type of employee I was before age 35 or so. But it was a tradeoff between my personal life and my work life and my own physical and mental health, and work won out hands-down.

Fast-forward to my time living and working in San Diego and I started to notice that it wasn’t really how hard you worked that mattered so much. It was the quality of the work in the end, and if you were an efficient person, it didn’t have to take 80 hours a week. I could set and manage expectations with clients, provide excellent deliverables in a reasonable timeframe (not ASAP every day of the week). I was able to be more strategic with client campaigns and recommendations, and I loved that.

We had our first child while living in San Diego, and I crept closer to my late 30s while living there. After we moved back to the Midwest in late 2016, I fell back into my old habit of thinking I had to be available 24/7 for work. That it proved I was a hard worker and was more dedicated that anyone else. And, in a crisis situation, I did have to be available a lot. But there are very few things that are a true crisis, and sometimes work can and should wait. Is the work getting done and is the product what it should be or better? That’s what should matter.

Everyone is human, and we all deserve to be able to go to dinner with our spouse, family or friends without answering 15 work text/calls. We deserve to spend time with our children, and not be glued to our phones for work.

Family, friends, hobbies, interests, travel, and relaxation should also have their places on the list of important areas of life. Work should hopefully be fun, fulfilling and rewarding in many ways, but I’m the best version of me when the two are integrated.

Now that I’m in my 40s with two children, I’m lucky to have found a company and role where that work life integration is a core mission for the entire team. We all work hard, provide excellent service to our clients, and take time to relax and recharge as needed.

If you need me, I’m likely at work. But I could also be in the mountains or on some other adventure, and I’ll connect with you soon.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has taken a very unique path from newspaper and magazine journalist to public relations and marketing professional. In that transition, I held communications roles in the landscaping and construction industries, managed client accounts in the grocery, consumer packaged goods, and tech industries, led public relations for a $10 billion regional grocery chain, and now oversee communications and marketing for a financial planning and investment management firm. Through these shifts, I’ve realized that I love to learn – even more than I thought I did.

I grew up in a rural part of Northwest Florida and worked hard in school to earn a scholarship to college. I did my undergrad work at the University of Florida and got my graduate degree from the University of Alabama (go SEC!) I did not see a way to do the type of work I wanted to near my hometown, and I had to overcome my fear of the unknown and move away. And then move again multiple times around the country and start new jobs and learn new industries.

All of those things were challenging in their own ways, and any one of them could have been intimidating enough that I could have stopped or chosen an easier path. But I didn’t. What I learned is that I’m determined and resilient in all aspects of my life. I’m incredibly proud of those traits because they have led me to where I am as an employee, wife, mother and friend.

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.
While I no longer live in SoCal, if I was visiting LA for a week, I would get in a few runs on the trails in Malibu Creek State Park and the Santa Monica Mountains. I did my first 50K trail race (the Bulldog 50K) there in 2015 and it was such an amazing experience.

My husband and I were in the area this past spring and we had to spend an afternoon at the Santa Monica Pier. I might be 41, but I still love a boardwalk experience and The Albright’s fish tacos are some of my favorite!

One of our best outdoor concert experiences was at The Greek Theater – I could see a show there every night, and highly recommend the venue.

It probably sounds touristy, but the entire Hollywood Boulevard vibe is so much fun. And if you’ve never been to LA, then a hike in Runyon Canyon Park and a bus tour are a must-do. The pasta at Miceli’s in Hollywood is delicious and we ALWAYS have to hit up In-N-Out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents were my first official cheerleaders, for sure. They encouraged me to move away to college (when I know deep down, they would have loved for me to have a reason to stay close by) and have supported all of the career and life moves I’ve made over the past 23 years. I have a small circle of close friends who are my work/life sounding boards and I appreciate them more than they know. But my husband Greg and two daughters, Norah and Hannah, deserve the biggest shoutouts. They inspire me to be the best version of me, and I’m so grateful for them.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinagayman/