Therapist, Yoga Teacher, Force of Calmness - Kenna Bolen | The Aid Station

What happens when the thing you’ve built your identity around is suddenly gone? In this conversation, I sit down with Kenna Bolen, a counselor at Humble Heart in Boise, to talk about burnout, identity, and finding your way to work that fits your values. Kenna grew up playing fast-pitch softball, studied business at Boise State, and spent years managing wellness and medical offices before following a calling into counseling. She’s also a yoga teacher, backpacker, and half marathon runner. We talk about what it was like to build an identity around a sport from age five, how she made the leap from business to the therapy room, and how yoga and mindfulness shape her life and her work. In this episode: Growing up in sports and what happens when it becomes your whole identity Leaving the business world when the work no longer matched her values Answering the call to become a counselor Yin and restorative yoga, plus tips for starting your own practice Staying moving during the darker, colder months Backpacking, running, and training for a half marathon Who she loves working with and the approaches she brings to therapy Her “why”: being a curious and compassionate space holder Advice for anyone who’s struggling to take the first step Timestamps (approximate, please verify): 0:00 Intro 1:00 Getting to know Kenna 2:00 Growing up in softball 4:00 Burnout and identity 5:30 Yoga and business degree 10:30 Career before counseling 12:00 Becoming a counselor 14:30 Backpacking and hiking 17:00 Yoga teaching and practice 21:00 How to get started with yoga 25:30 Running and half marathon training 30:00 Her therapy work and population 31:30 Therapy modalities 34:00 Knowing your “why” 36:00 Advice for anyone struggling Connect with Kenna: Humble Heart: https://humbleheartcounseling.com/ #counseling #mentalhealth #yoga #podcast #identity #therapy --- The Aid Station is a show about doing hard things — physically, mentally, and spiritually — how these are all intimately connected. Hosted by Abe, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Boise, Idaho. New episodes every other week on Wednesday mornings.