People often tell me my excitement is contagious. For a long time, I thought it was just part of who I am—but the more I leaned into why, the more I realized it’s not just personality. It’s a lifestyle I’ve built, and one I’m passionate about helping others experience too.
To Live Excited is about purposefully making the choice to show up with intention and heart—every single day. It’s the spark that comes from celebrating others, living with purpose, chasing the dreams that matter to you, and always making progress on your climb. And the best part? It is contagious.
My mission is personal—but it’s also supported by my professional and educational background:
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer Certifications through NASM.
Completed 4 Years of Professional Leadership Training and BMC Business Master Class
Professional background in Sales, Marketing, and Leadership.
My journey to Live Excited has been years in the making, personally and professionally, and one I continue to show up for daily. I live in Overland Park, Kansas, with my husband, two daughters, and our yellow lab, but my heart finds peace and inspiration in Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll notice mountain imagery throughout my work. It serves as a quiet reminder to stay grounded, honor the climb, and find meaning in the journey itself.
In my early 20’s I discovered that I suffer from food sensitives. I spent years monitoring everything I ate to figure out why I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and why certain foods had harmful effects on my health. Once I understood what was happening to me, I chose the hard path, the one less traveled. I took control of my diet and began to see food as energy for my body and not a source of emotional comfort. By doing so, food could no longer run my life. And in time, I came to know that my story is a blessing because of my challenges.
I grew up with a dad who has an undeniable love for sports and whose definition for success is to win, at everything. I was the opposite - unmotivated, non-athletic and not competitive. As my softball coach, he used the same tactics to encourage me to run faster that motivates him to win. Because we do not share the same abilities and motivations, I became the recipient of the nickname “lightning” and not because I was fast. Therefore, with every failed attempt I internalized the belief that I can’t run. A belief I held onto for 20 something years. Until I met a fellow Kindergarten mom who spoke the words, “you pick a 5k and I will train you”. And I said, "YES!"
I achieved something that was to me, unimaginable. It all started when someone believed in me, and I said "yes". That moment ignited bigger dreams and a life-changing confidence. Training for that 5k was my introduction into a social circle of like-minded persons in which all support healthy behaviors and where reaching your goals feels like a victory lap. The discipline of achieving small attainable goals day after day had become habit-forming and I began to understand the power of both accountability and consistency. With each passing day I started craving movement while my ability to run longer stretches increased until I became a runner.
Now, I am crazy passionate about nutrition and movement. And love to talk about it. I drink 2 of my 4 servings of vegetables a day because they taste better that way! You read that right, I said “drink”! My faith, family, friends and the bridger community are my support systems. And despite not sharing the same motivations for success with my dad, he taught me the art of having a conversation with anyone, the powerful impact of never missing a commitment and the indispensable trait of being on time. While my mom has taught me the power of being an attentive listener, helping others feel truly heard, and the quiet strength of maintaining composure while practicing patience. These attributes combined make me the ideal success partner.
KRISTEN VANFOSSON
CEO | Chief Excitement Officer
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