To read my full story Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diagnosis to POTS Strong click here.
This blog post offers my credentials, work experience, how POTS Strong came to be and what POTS Strong has to offer.

Career

In the year 2013, I obtained my bachelors of science in Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University with a specialization in Health Fitness Instruction. Paired with my National Strength and Conditioning Association Personal Training Certification I accepted my first job out of college as an Exercise Specialist at Munson Medical Centers Healthy Weight Center. My patient load included those with cancer, diabetes, obesity, anorexic, bulimia, exercise addiction etc. I loved my job. I found I connected so well with those with chronic illness; especially youth. After this new discovery I found myself asking my co-workers (licensed dieticians, social workers, athletic trainers) their take on the syndrome POTS. -That was the first time I was viewing my illness from an objective standpoint.

In the year 2014, I was inspired to form KO Wellness LLC. I began additional work as the contracted Wellness Coach for Interlochen Center for the Arts. It was at this job that I felt I was taking my part in teaching and guiding youth in preventative health. Showing the power of wellness via Exercise Foundations, Group Exercise Classes and Personal Training.

Marriage

I am a Wife. My husband and I are a team. We met in 2011 and have been taking on this world ever since. Alex offers me peace and a hand to walk (sometimes bike, hike or run lol ) with through this life. Together, we are next generation farmers. Alongside my father-in-law, Uncle and farmhand we operate our family farm which consists of cattle, 2,000 acres of cash crops, and seasonal commodities such as sweet corn, pumpkins and flowers. I awake to tractors running and fall asleep at night to the best kind of quiet only the country can offer.

Motherhood

When people ask what it is I do, I say I am a Mom. I am a mother to three vibrant, adventure seeking, bare-foot country loving kids Addison (6), Emmet (4) and Sage (2). I owe this wonderful privilege to God, science, love, hard work and dreams. I know how lucky I am to have received the medical care I did in 2005. Without the support of my loved ones and my God given grit and interest in exercise science/wellness I would not have held the confidence I did going into each pregnancy, choosing to grow our family.

For our first born, Addison, It wasn’t until my third trimester of my first pregnancy I started to have tachycardia. My husband started to gain a front row seat into the stories I had told him of my health as a teenager. He was so supportive sharing the same attitude my nurse, doctors and family had. Lets just do it, sort of thing.

I have retrained my ANS four times, three of them by choice. First at age 24 with my first pregnancy then again at age 26 and 29. My confidence to willingly place my body under stressors that would cause a relapse with POTS can only be credited to my knowledge, gained exercise expertise, personal relationship with my own body and my support system.

Each pregnancy was different just as the severity and frequency of acute flares. I adjusted my management plan as needed and consulted with my obstetrician and a cardiologist if advised. Unfortunately I seemed to know more about POTS then they did. With their input I was the one to write my birthing plan and to suggest the use of my polar heart strap to monitor changes in HR, keeping acute flares at bay and avoiding their highly recommended inductions or bed rest. I knew what my body was capable of and I would again heal. I was POTS Strong.

Passion

I have been so blessed to be of aid to so many individuals over the past ten + years. Wellness truly is for everyone; it is theirs to be had. Depending on individuals needs and interests, a unique balance is necessary. There is no such thing as a one size fits all approach for any population. As a coach, the three core variables nutrition, exercise and mindfulness will transform individuals lives for the better. The POTS population is no different, we may just be a bit more sensitive when experiencing the change that occurs.

The Birth of POTS Strong

Fall of 2018 I was at work in the middle of greeting parents at Interlochen Center for the Arts. It was Parents Weekend and my priority was to fill my class schedule with eager students who wanted to actively take interest in their personal fitness/wellness for the upcoming school year.

A student began asking me what class entailed and what we’d be learning. After I offered my response, she politely said, “thank you.” and proceeded to walk by. I smiled at her Mother who offered explanation, “My daughter won’t be able to do that”. I simply asked, “Why?”. The Mother ended with, “She has an illness, you’ve probably never heard it before; it’s called POTS.” I responded with, “I have POTS”. Her mom said, “Really?”. In that very moment; a fire was ignited. At the time it had been thirteen years since my POTS diagnosis. During that time I had never casually met anyone with POTS.

Our conversation continued and we devised a plan. We followed protocols, I coached her daughter and overtime her symptoms became managed. She thrived. The POTS Strong identity was born and I found myself knee deep in thoughts, dreams, and goals for others who were or wanted to live POTS Strong.

There we were, amongst general public doing general things. I wouldn’t have known, but I asked. She would have kept to herself as most of us do and slipped away by feeling like the odd man out. But I asked, and I’m so grateful I did.

Sharing and Helping Others

I want to help the POTS population. I want to raise awareness for POTS specificity training and to bring awareness to what can be such a debilitating illness. I know other POTS warriors who, through exercise, proper nutrition and mindfulness practice have a great quality of life. If you have POTS or know of a loved one with POTS, every ounce of me goes out to you. I feel an immediate bond when I meet people whos lives have been affected by this illness. I know the power of support and knowledge firsthand, and I also know the effort it takes emotionally, mentally and physically to cope.

When Covid-19 came to the United States, I lost my ability to train my students in-person. I found extra time on my hands to program, dream and brainstorm. I purchased software rights December 31, 2020. New years day, 2021 I began building the POTS Strong App.

POTS Strong Mission Statement:
POTS Strong offers the structure and accountability needed to manage and further minimize POTS Symptoms. The POTS Strong Method utilizes necessary variables, science based protocols & education in achieving the optimum quality of life.

POTS Strong is: a behavioral based tool designed specifically for the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Community in utilizing and effectively applying patient specific non-pharmacological modes of treatment.

POTS Strong offers: the desired structure and accountability in gauging progress in managing or minimizing POTS symptoms. By promoting a positive experience individuals feel understood and address the root of their autonomic dysfunction by implementing the POTS Strong Method.

The three variables of focus are listed below and together make-up the
POTS Strong Method:

1. Nutrition :
   Whole Food Eating
   Meal Frequency
   Nutrient Timing
   Salt
   Electrolytes
   Water Intake
   
2. Exercise:
   Aerobic conditioning: increase stroke volume, VO2Max and muscular endurance.
   Muscular Strength: increase proper circulation and intravenous pressure.
   Flexibility: improve joint mobility and exercise induced tension.
   Prescribed Target Heart Rate Zones : Levine Protocol , POTS Training Program
   Target Heart Rate Zone Measurability: Polar Heart Strap/Watch
   Environmental education -orthostatic tolerant exercise modalities, training in
   heat vs. cold & altitude effects.
   Rest vs. Active Recovery
   
3. Mindfulness: Breathing -Parasympathetic Control -Practice

POTS Strong utilizes prompts on a daily basis to complete lessons, adhere to the recommended training calendar and incorporate the POTS Strong Method.
Overall, increasing personal awareness in daily behavior and offering the support and expertise necessary to manage or minimize POTS symptoms.

Physician Consent is required to participate in POTS Strong Support Programming or Coaching Services. It is highly encouraged that the necessary Target Heart Rate Zones be calculated and be periodically adjusted as their cardiovascular fitness increases. Target Heart Rate Zones (THRZ) -Base Pace, Maximal Steady State &Recovery
Levine Protocol

The Invisible Part of Me Blog

I have talked to hundreds of individuals with POTS and have found comfort in knowing majority have been encouraged to follow non-pharmacological modes of treatment. Sadly I was surprised to hear how many were told to just Google Modified Dallas POTS Exercise Program and follow it. Others were encouraged to join a gym and hire a personal trainer. My immediate questions was “what success did you find with that advice”. Majority said no change, they seemed to lack confidence in their attempts. They felt defeated. Yet they were still searching for help and support.

I want to bridge that gap that currently exists for the POTS population in patient and physician care. I want to raise awareness for non-pharmacological modes of treatment, I want to be that support person needed for those wanting to achieve their optimum quality of life. I believe that POTS Strong is the tool patients can utilize knowing they aren’t wasting time and will grant them the confidence needed in daily efforts. It is a tool that my 15 year-old self wished for.

I know first hand as a wellness coach if I don’t offer accountability and measurability; clients will not find success. We are most effective as coaches when we meet our clients where they are at. Majority of individuals have the knowledge at hand, they just don’t know what to do with it. I am happy to bridge that gap. The POTS Strong App is the tool the POTS population has been in search of to further manage and/or minimize POTS symptoms.

Writing the Invisible Part of Me Blog was daunting. Thinking of my backstory and personal experience dug up a lot of memories. Some painful. I kept reminding myself of the why I was writing and the words began to pour out. The Invisible Part of Me blog contains my story, POTS information, links to credible education and testimonies.
-Meet Hannah, a 14 year-old girl I coached via POTS Strong Support Programming utilizing the POTS Strong App.

POTS Strong Community


The POTS Strong Community is an online community exclusive to those choosing to live POTS Strong. It is for those who identify as pro-active and forward thinkers. This community offers positivity, motivation and support from myself, the POTS Strong Team and members alike.

If you want to learn more about gaining personal accountability in your health journey email potsstrong@ko-wellness.net and be sure to include Support Programming or POTS Strong Coaching in the subject line.

Together we are POTS Strong! – Coach Kait

REFERENCES

1.  Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. Blair P. Grubb, Circulation. 2008; 117: 2814-2817.
2. National Institute of Health, Neurological Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Postural Tachycardia Syndrome Information Page. 
3. The Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Pathophysiology, Diagnosis & Management. Satish R Raj, MD MSCI, Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2006 April-Jun; 6(2): 84-99.
4. Consensus statement on the definition of orthostatic hypotension, neurally mediated syncope and the postural tachycardia syndrome. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical 161 (2011) 46-48.
5. Long-term outcomes of adolescent-onset postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. S.J. Kizilbash, S.P. Ahrens, R. Bhatia, J.M. Killian, S. A. Kimmes, E.E. Knoebel, P. Muppa, A.L. Weaver, P.R. Fischer. Clin. Auton. Res. October 2013. Abstract presented at the 24th International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System.
6. Exercise and non-pharmacological treatment of POTS. Autonomic Neurosicience: Basic and CLinical (2018) 20-27.
7. Dysautonomia International: Dysautonomia Awareness, Dysautonomia Advocacy, Dysautonomia Advancement (2021)
8. The Dysautonomia Project- Understanding Autonomic Nervous System Disorders for Physicians and Patients. K Freeman, D.S. Goldstein, C.R. Thompson. Bardolf & Company (2015)