06/09/2026
I finished my dissertation defense…
Sat in the hallway outside the room…
Anxiously waiting for 15 minutes as the committee discussed my research, 4 years of work, and ability to uphold the standards of a researcher from NC State.
And then,
“Congratulations, Dr. Orvidas” 😮💨
That was in 2019.
For 7 years, I kept my IG handle
Because regardless of the accomplishment and the fun of getting to be “Dr” …being known as coach still mattered so much to me.
Before the PhD, before the , before anything I’ve built here, I was a health and fitness coach.
Years and years of experience with 1-1 clients. Hundreds and hundreds of check-ins, plateaus, breakthroughs, and the kind of hard conversations that you’re not taught how to navigate as a coach.
I never wanted it to seem like I was a book smart PhD, swooping in with research, acting like she understood what it’s like to be in the trenches with clients.
Because I do understand. I’ve been there.
But here’s what I’ve realized… especially now after 1,000+ coaches have come through HMCC and after spending 125 hours this year rebuilding the program from the ground up
(and seeing just how BAD mindset and behavior change coaching advice is when it comes from AI 😅)
To teach this stuff the way it deserves to be taught... you really do need all of me.
The coach who spent a decade working with real clients.
AND the researcher who spent years studying exactly why your clients struggle to stick to the plan.
Neither one works without the other.
It felt like the time the IG handle catches up to who I am today and where my energy and passion is given.
Not necessarily coaching health and fitness clients, anymore.
But the mentor and instructor I am to you and inside HMCC.
Not to mention, yall gave me the name. I’ve been “Dr. Kasey Jo” in your DMs and emails for years 😆
I know so many of you have been around to see all this of this evolution and expansion. You’re a real one. Thank you ❤️
(and now this is the part that I actually start consistently posting on here again, I’ve got SO many ideas… stay tuned!)