Rebuilding Life After Burnout & Creating Empowered Wellness – Exclusive Interview With Ki'ara Larkin

Ki’ara Larkin is a Board-Certified Nurse Coach, Speaker, and Transformational Wellness Expert recognized for her integrative evidence-based approach to health, mindset, and healing. With a strong foundation in healthcare and a passion for holistic transformation, she helps individuals cultivate balance, resilience, and purpose in every area of life. Through her coaching, speaking, and writing, Ki’ara empowers others to heal naturally, elevate their mindset, and live with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Brian M. Lissak, Neuro-Physio-PsychoTherapist

Who is Ki'ara Larkin?

I’m Ki’ara Larkin, a Registered Nurse, future FNP, Certified Nurse Coach in progress, holistic wellness strategist, entrepreneur, single mom, and a woman who is continuously evolving.

At home, I’m a lover of quiet mornings, good music, deep conversations, and creating what I call “soft life routines” with candles, journaling, stretching, and taking care of my energy. I love traveling, trying new food, learning about culture, and anything that feeds my spirit and curiosity.

In business, I’m passionate, intentional, and a little sassy. I love helping people heal, grow, and step into their highest potential. I thrive on creating programs, writing, educating, and building a brand that truly reflects empowerment, wellness, and elevation.

Something interesting about me: I rebuilt my entire life after a toxic work environment, heartbreak, betrayal, and overwhelming burnout. Instead of letting it break me, I alchemized it, and now I teach others how to do the same. My clients get not just my expertise, but my lived experience and resilience.

What sparked the creation of your business at Empowered Wellness and how has that journey evolved?

Empowered Wellness was born from my own healing journey. As an RN, I saw firsthand how much people were struggling with stress, hormones, weight, mindset, and emotional well-being, and how the healthcare system left many of them unsupported.

At the same time, I was navigating my own breakdown - breakthrough. Single motherhood, a painful heartbreak, grad school, burnout, and rebuilding my identity all forced me to rethink what true wellness looks like.

I realized people don’t just need appointments, they need support, clarity, accountability, lifestyle strategy, and mindset coaching.

What began as simple wellness guidance has evolved into a full integrative coaching brand offering:

• Hormone & metabolic support,

• Mindset & emotional mastery,

• Nutrition & lifestyle modification,

• Holistic & alternative wellness options,

• High-achiever burnout recovery,

• Courses, ebooks, and upcoming published books

My business has grown as I have grown, and now it’s a holistic space for healing, transformation, and elevation.

What specific problem do you help your clients solve and why is it so important right now?

I help clients stop living in survival mode: mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Most of my clients struggle with: Chronic stress and burnout, Hormonal symptoms, Emotional eating & weight issues, Low energy and mood swings, People-pleasing & lack of boundaries, Poor communication patterns, Self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

These issues are important now more than ever because we live in a culture of overwhelm, pressure, and constant stimulation. People are functioning but not thriving. They’re successful on paper but drained internally.

My work helps them regain control of their body, mind, relationships, and lifestyle, so they can actually enjoy the life they’re working so hard for.

How do you combine your background (nursing + wellness coaching) into the unique offer you provide?

My approach blends clinical knowledge with holistic transformation.

As a nurse, I understand:

• Human physiology,

• Hormones & metabolism,

• Medication, safety, and evidence-based practice,

• The realities of chronic stress and disease.

As a coach, I understand: Behavior change, Mindset patterns, Emotional processing, Nutrition & lifestyle habits, and Personal growth.

Together, this allows me to create wellness plans that are safe, effective, and rooted in both science and self-awareness. Clients get a level of care and personalization that goes far beyond traditional coaching.

What’s the most common misconception people have about wellness or mindset work and how do you address it?

The biggest misconception is that wellness is just diet and exercise, or that mindset work is “just thinking positive.”

In reality wellness is hormonal, emotional, mental, nutritional, environmental, and relational. Mindset work is about rewiring patterns, healing triggers, building discipline, and creating alignment.

I help clients see that transformation is whole-person work. Once they understand the interconnectedness, everything starts to shift.

Can you walk us through one of your signature programs and how it delivers transformation?

Let me highlight one: Mental & Mindset Mastery.

This program is designed for clients who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained. It includes:

• Identifying limiting beliefs,

• Healing emotional triggers,

• Improving communication & boundaries,

• Rewriting internal narratives,

• Weekly coaching sessions,

• Reflection exercises & journal prompts, 

• Incorporating nervous-system regulation, and

• Action steps for real-life change.

The transformation comes from pairing emotional healing with practical tools. Clients walk away with clarity, confidence, and the ability to respond to life instead of reacting to it.

What results or changes can clients expect when they work with you, and what differentiates you from others in this space?

Clients can expect:

• Higher energy and better mood,

• Improved communication and confidence,

• Healthier habits & weight changes,

• Better emotional control,

• Stronger boundaries,

• Reduced stress,

• Better relationships,

• More self-trust, and

• A sense of alignment and purpose.

What differentiates me is that I don’t “cookie-cutter” anything. I bring: Nursing expertise, Holistic wellness, Mindset psychology, Personal real-life experience, Compassion & accountability, and Education, not just motivation!

I meet my clients where they are and then elevate them.

What’s one small but powerful habit or mindset shift you recommend that someone could start right away?

Start your day intentionally instead of reactively.

Before touching your phone, do one of the following:

• Sit in silence for 2 minutes,

• Set one intention,

• Journal because it really does hold merit,

• Drink water before coffee, or

• Tell yourself how much of a Badass you are!

This single shift grounds your nervous system, improves clarity, and prevents you from starting the day in stress mode.

How do you support clients to sustain their transformation in the long term, beyond the initial coaching?

I focus on integration, not dependency.

Long-term sustainability comes from: Habit stacking, Mindset rewiring, Practical routines, Emotional intelligence, Positive support systems, Check-ins and continued resources!

I give clients tools they can use for life: journals, protocols, communication frameworks, boundary scripts, nutrition strategies, and mindset techniques. Many continue with maintenance coaching for accountability and deeper growth.

If someone is ready to take the first step with you, what should they do, and what can they expect from that first discovery call?

The first step is to book a Free Empower Hour Discovery Call.

On that call, they can expect:

• A deep dive into their goals,

• A conversation about their challenges,

• Clarity on what’s keeping them stuck,

• A customized roadmap,

• Honest recommendations, and

• Next steps to kicking ass in the best program that fits their needs!

There’s no pressure, just clarity, support, and real guidance. Most people leave that call saying, “Wow… no one has ever explained it to me like that.” So what are you waiting for?

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

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