We recently connected with Katie Kurpanek and have shared our conversation below.
Katie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
I hope that one day, sooner than later, my job will be irrelevant and no longer needed. I look forward to the day when I need to completely re-evaluate my career path (again), because living sustainably has become second nature to us. As I coach people across the U.S., my hope is that I can provide a space of encouragement, empowerment, and support so that caring for our earth comes right alongside caring for ourselves and our families. My hope is that through this work, I will leave a legacy of compassion for both people and planet.
Katie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi! I’m Katie. I am a Life Coach who focuses on supporting people to live sustainably. Simply put, this is a lifestyle that cares for the planet and people — and there is no one-size-fits-all method. We all have different needs, abilities, budgets, family sizes, accessibility to resources, and so on. My goal is to meet you right where you are, and to provide a variety of supportive options for you to begin your sustainability journey.
My website, www.thatminimallife.com, gives you access to a number of resources to help us all minimize our collective carbon footprint while maximizing our positive impact on this earth we share. Among these resources, you’ll find: podcast episodes, video courses, a book club, workshops and more!
Before I launched That Minimal Life in the beginning of 2020, I was a teacher for 5 years. In that time, I developed a passion for living sustainably in my personal life, learned even more about this along with my students, and I recognized a lack of education within my own community regarding this lifestyle. After I experienced a deep level of burn-out in my final school year, I took some time off to re-evaluate my career path. Education has always been at the heart of what I do, and through some encouraging from friends/family, the idea of becoming a sustainability Life Coach was born.
I am so proud of the community we have built under That Minimal Life’s name and in collaboration with many wonderful, sustainable small businesses and nonprofits over the years. My top priority is to make sure people feel welcomed and empowered within this space, and I want anyone who encounters TML to come away more supported than before.
Curious about how to live sustainably with a family? I’ve got a 4-part video course on that called, “Caring for the Earth & Kids” — covering anything from cloth diapers and Elimination Communication to switching from milk to solid foods with less plastic waste (and food waste) to planning a zero-waste baby shower to non-toxic, all-natural baby and postpartum care and more!
Wondering how you could compost if you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard or have no idea where to begin? I’ve got a workshop on that!
Want a new podcast to listen to as you drive or do the dishes? Check out my podcast called, “All Things Sustainable”!
Does your company have a Green Team or Wellness Team? Are you interested in hosting a 1-hr Lunch & Learn workshop about sustainability? I’ve got those, too!
There’s so much support available — I hope you’ll check out: www.thatminimallife.com
In my personal time, I love to go on adventures with my husband and our toddler (our home in Colorado has so much beauty to explore!), try new vegan recipes, and listen to audiobooks and podcasts.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Walking the talk! I’ve been consistently working to reduce my personal waste and carbon footprint since 2015, and I’ve been posting on social media and encouraging others since 2017. Sticking with this commitment through all the ups and downs, the trial and error, and the constant learning has given me the opportunity to grow so much since I first began — and the people in my life see it! The key is showing up, no matter how polished or messy you may be feeling.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I first founded That Minimal Life in January of 2020, I had no idea what a monumental year that would become. In the midst of a global pandemic, I (along with countless others) learned to shift my newly-created business to accommodate virtual sessions… AND, I learned I was pregnant with our rainbow-baby! 2020 was the year when two of my greatest gifts were born: my son and my coaching. Ever since then, I’ve been navigating what it looks like to be a working mama in all the different seasons, and learning to roll with the changes. It’s important and necessary for me to have plans, but I’m learning to always hold them with open hands.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thatminimallife.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/that.minimal.life/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063539734052
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-kurpanek-916503256/
- Other: www.patreon.com/allthingssustainable (for my podcast and book club)
Image Credits
Erin Lassahn Photography Switch 17 Colorado