EP #219 CHERISH THE MOMENT - CHELSEY KIEFER

Hey, my name is Chelsey Kiefer. I am a now retired hairstylist after working behind the chair for a decade. I grew up in a small town in California called Sonora. I am one of six kids in my family. I grew up less fortunate than most and had lots of childhood trauma that is now unraveling today. I knew I wanted to do hair since I was a child. I went to cosmetology school in high school when I was 16 it was my zero,first, and second period. When I was 18 I got licensed I will be 30 this coming spring! I started working seriously behind the chair when I was 21! When I moved to Stockton I started working at the salon called POMP Salon. I was able to build a full clientele within four months and got off the commission program and started paying booth rent! And the last couple of years I’d be considered a “6 figure stylist.” I have been sponsored by some amazing companies in the hair industry. I’ve taught on stage at amazing hair shows all over the US! And I’ve taught some amazing classes all over the US teaching what I specialized in which was balayage! After I had my daughter I started dealing with some major health issues. It all started when I found a lump in my left breast! When my daughter was about a year old as one that started and within the course of her second year of life I was dealing with having a double mastectomy and reconstruction. During this time I was getting blood work done constantly as you could imagine, and learned I also have some thing called lupus which is an auto immune disease. Since I got diagnosed with lupus I go to specialists in Stanford and I see about six doctors there to help with my autoimmune issues! Along with lupus I had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Reynards disease, fibromyalgia, and antiphilosophlipid syndrome Which is a very rare blood clotting disease which can happen in people with autoimmune issues. This is generally the biggest cause of why I had a stroke in April of this year. I am 29 years old and suffered from a stroke. Definitely something you don’t hear of often! This is actually what finally led to my decision to retire from behind the chair as a hairstylist! Through this journey I have had obviously lots of ups and downs. I have dealt with some severe depression in this last year which I’ve never had to deal with before. And it’s also bringing up a lot of childhood trauma that I experienced! Another reason why I am extremely passionate about helping those who happen depression or anxiety. I didn’t realize how debilitating depression and anxiety is until this last year. With that being said I am no longer behind the chair but I did start an online clothing boutique, And a portion of my proceeds get donated to mental health organizations! Fashion has always been something that I love so this is a way for me to stay busy working from home, and also give back to others. http://Www.MontaraBoutique.com  MORE KELLY “JOY IS THE ART OF FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND ALLOWING MAGIC TO HAPPEN!” EXECUTIVE PRODUCER BROOKLYN CARDENAS --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kelly-cardenas/support