We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Thomasino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.

Kristen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Why Hiring Someone Who Has Overcome Severe Injury or Illness is a Smart Choice

When it comes to hiring new employees, companies often look for candidates who bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. As someone who has overcome severe injury and illness, I can confidently say that individuals with such backgrounds possess qualities that make them exceptional hires. Here’s why:

1. **Resilience and Determination**
Overcoming severe injury or chronic illness requires an extraordinary amount of resilience. These individuals have faced and conquered significant challenges that many people cannot imagine. This resilience translates into a strong work ethic and a never-give-up attitude in the workplace. Employees who have dealt with such adversity are often more motivated and committed to their roles because they understand the value of perseverance.

2. **Problem-Solving Skills**
Living with or recovering from a severe condition forces individuals to develop strong problem-solving skills. Whether it’s managing symptoms, navigating the healthcare system, or adapting to new limitations, these experiences teach people how to think critically and find solutions in complex situations. In a business environment, this ability to innovate and adapt is invaluable.

3. **Empathy and Teamwork**
Experiencing severe illness often fosters a deep sense of empathy. Individuals who have been through significant health challenges are typically more understanding and supportive of others facing difficulties. This empathy can enhance team dynamics and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Moreover, they are often great team players, knowing firsthand the importance of collaboration and mutual support.

4. **Adaptability and Flexibility**
People who have overcome severe health challenges are masters of adaptation. They have had to adjust their lives, sometimes on a daily basis, to cope with unpredictable symptoms or new physical limitations. This ability to adapt easily to change is particularly beneficial in today’s fast-paced work environments, where flexibility and the ability to handle unforeseen circumstances are key to success.

5. **Time Management and Efficiency**
Managing a chronic illness or recovering from a severe injury often involves balancing treatment schedules, doctor’s appointments, and other health-related tasks. This experience naturally enhances one’s time management skills. Employees who have had to juggle these responsibilities are likely to be more efficient and effective in managing their work tasks, ensuring that they meet deadlines without compromising quality.

6. **A Stronger Sense of Purpose**
Many people who have overcome significant health challenges come out of the experience with a renewed sense of purpose. They are driven not just by personal success, but by a desire to make a positive impact in their work and the world. This can lead to higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction, as these individuals are often passionate about contributing to something greater than themselves.

Conclusion
Hiring someone who has overcome severe injury or illness is not just about filling a position—it’s about bringing in a team member who embodies resilience, adaptability, empathy, and a strong work ethic. These individuals can offer perspectives and skills that are often underappreciated but incredibly valuable in the workplace. By embracing the strengths that come from overcoming adversity, companies can build stronger, more dynamic teams.

As someone who has walked this path, I can attest to the strength and determination it builds—qualities that can benefit any organization willing to see the value in diverse life experiences.

Kristen, 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?

For those who may not have read about me before, I’m Kristen Thomasino, a Social Good Technologist, Global Humanitarian, and the Founder of Thomasino Media LLC and Buddytown Consulting LLC. My journey into my industry and business was fueled by a deep desire to create positive change in the world, inspired largely by my own life experiences.**

**I got into this space after overcoming severe Fibromyalgia, a battle that lasted many years and involved a long, arduous rehabilitation process. My rehabilitation was an eye-opener, leading me to realize the critical gaps in healthcare, particularly in how we treat chronic illnesses. This experience, combined with my background in data science, technology, and media, propelled me into the realm of social good. I wanted to leverage my skills and experiences to help others facing similar challenges and to drive meaningful social impact on a larger scale.

At Thomasino Media LLC, we provide a wide range of products and services designed to inspire, educate, and empower. Our offerings include content creation across multiple channels, such as The Social Good Magazine Publication, The Social Good News, and The Social Good Conferences. We also produce a variety of shows, including ‘Woo! with Kristen Thomasino!’ and ‘KT’s Casebooks Collection,’ which aim to spark thought-provoking discussions on health, wellness, technology, and social change. Our mission is to amplify the voices of those committed to making a difference, whether through media, technology, or grassroots movements.

Through Buddytown Consulting LLC, I offer consulting services that cover everything from public speaking and market research to fintech, technology solutions, and revenue generation. I work with organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, real estate, construction, and education, helping them navigate complex challenges and drive growth through innovative strategies. A key focus of mine is on developing technology solutions that not only streamline operations but also contribute to the greater social good.**

What sets me apart from others in the field is my unique blend of personal experience, professional expertise, and a relentless passion for social good. Having walked the path of recovery myself, I bring a deeply personal understanding of the challenges faced by those dealing with chronic health conditions. This empathy, combined with my technological acumen and media savvy, allows me to create solutions that are not only effective but also compassionate and human-centered.

I’m most proud of the impact that my work has had on both individuals and communities. Whether it’s through helping patients find better ways to manage their health, guiding businesses toward more socially responsible practices, or creating content that inspires change, I’m driven by the difference I can make in people’s lives.

The main thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about me and my brand is that everything we do is rooted in a commitment to positive change. Whether it’s through our media content, technology solutions, or consulting services, the goal is always to empower others, amplify good, and create a more equitable and compassionate world. I’m not just building businesses; I’m building movements. If you’re looking for someone who is dedicated to making a real difference, both in business and society, then I’m here to help.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Building the Social Good Experiment: From Personal Struggles to Innovative Solutions

The Social Good Experiment was born out of my own journey of recovery and resilience. For years, I faced significant health challenges that required me to track every aspect of my daily life manually—pain levels, symptoms, environmental triggers, and more. It was a painstaking process, but it taught me the value of paying attention to daily trends and understanding the nuances of personal health data.

This experience was the foundation upon which the Social Good Experiment was built. I knew firsthand how vital it is to have accurate, real-time data at your fingertips, especially in the healthcare field. That’s why I made it my mission to create HIPAA-compliant software that could assist healthcare providers in offering better, more informed care to their patients. Today, that software is available at www.socialgoodexperiment.com, designed to empower both providers and patients with the tools they need to track, analyze, and act on health data in meaningful ways.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A Time of Pivot: Transforming Personal Challenges into Powerful Solutions

One of the most profound pivots in my life came when I transitioned from manually tracking my health data to developing a comprehensive software solution. Initially, my focus was solely on managing my own condition, but as I began to see the patterns and trends emerge, I realized that this approach could benefit countless others.

The decision to pivot from a personal tracking method to creating a scalable, HIPAA-compliant software for healthcare providers wasn’t easy. It required a shift in mindset—from addressing my own needs to considering the broader impact this technology could have on the medical field. But it was a necessary evolution. We rigorously sought feedback about the software with early contacts in the healthcare industry, gathering feedback that was instrumental in shaping the final product. The result is a tool that not only meets the highest standards of data security but also delivers practical, actionable insights to improve patient care.

This journey taught me that pivots, whether in business or life, are often born out of necessity but lead to greater innovation and success. The Social Good Experiment is a testament to turning personal challenges into powerful solutions that can make a real difference in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.socialgoodexperiment.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_thomasino?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078322816516&mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-thomasino-91776b4/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@socialgoodmovement?si=t1IGnMyHH4m8cm11
• Other: www.socialgoodmovement.com
  www.thomasinomedia.com
  www.socialgoodtour.com
  www.kristenthomasino.com
  www.buddytown.com

Image Credits

Thomasino Media