In the beginning...
Born in North Carolina and raised in Florida into a humble family, Christa was raised by a hard-working mother and a retired Navy SEAL father who instilled high standards and encouraged learning as much as possible. She was an observant and audacious child and never understood how the people around her seemed to always struggle even though they were hard workers. Common themes she saw were self-sabotaging beliefs, negative mindset, and destructive patterns. It was then that she made a personal commitment to always strive for personal and professional growth. She was determined to make a positive impact on the world by challenging negative beliefs and shifting mindsets that were holding people back from their full potential.
Early Entrepreneurship
At the age of 14, Christa's mom would take her shopping at local thrift stores. Rather than getting clothes for herself, Christa would only grab high-value name brand items in good condition and secretly resell them on her eBay store. Simultaneously, she embraced her passion for music, and started booking private violin gigs and eventually teaching private lessons. These early ventures not only demonstrated her knack for business but also highlighted her resilience and determination to diversify her skill set.
SGT Seals
In 2012, Christa enlisted in the Army, marking the beginning of her extensive military journey. After completing Army Intelligence School in the spring of 2013, she found herself quickly at the heart of pacific command in Korea, briefing commanding generals on critical intelligence matters. Her contribution extended to Republic of Korea (ROK) military drills and wargames, where she researched, curated, and presented top-secret military products to some of the most elite leaders in the country, contributing to the strength of the ROK-US alliance and being recommended to work directly with another major intelligence team by the Chief of Staff.
Criminal Investigation Division
Transitioning to the Criminal Investigation Division in 2014, Christa applied her analytical skills to create intelligence products and brief criminal analytics, offering solutions to address issues like drug problems and sexual assaults within military units. In addition to her daily duties in CID, Christa was recommended to attend several specialized conferences hosted by three-letter agencies in locations such as D.C., Quantico, and Seattle. Recognizing her expertise, Christa was entrusted with the responsibility of traveling across the country to provide specialized training to intelligence leaders across unit HQ's. Her unique leadership style, shaped by a profound understanding in communication skills and networking, became evident in her role managing HQ’s, training leaders, and presenting special reports to commanders.
Leadership Academy
In 2016, Christa attended the prestigious Henry H. Lind Leadership Academy, marking a pivotal moment in her leadership journey. This immersive experience provided an expansion of skills in public speaking, servant leadership, team building, conflict management, and training management, all of which enhanced her approach to guiding individuals towards becoming great leaders. She believes in leading by example, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration, where individuals are empowered to realize their full potential. Through her mastery of these competencies, Christa instills confidence and inspires growth in those she leads, creating a culture of excellence and achievement.
Academics
Christa continued to earn over 10 certifications from around the globe. The one she values most is the Master Resilience Trainer certification from the University of Pennsylvania. Stemming from her philosophy that you can turn any roadblock into a building block with the right mindset, Christa's innate resilience serves as a strong foundation complemented by formal training. This fusion allows her to effectively guide individuals through adversity, providing practical tools to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience. Leveraging her expertise, Christa empowers others to cultivate resilience, fostering personal and professional growth in the face of uncertainty.
College
While on active duty, Christa started her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree, a subject she cared about dearly growing up in Florida. Despite her advanced degree not being in her expertise of intelligence analysis, Christa's philosophy of approaching school with enthusiasm and dedication propelled her forward. Beginning her studies while stationed in Korea, she diligently balanced coursework with demanding military duties. Faced with the challenge of limited resources, she persevered, even to the point of taking her finals in the field, between long shifts and using only a phone hotspot for internet connection. Despite these obstacles, Christa's determination remained steadfast, completing her capstone in 2019 while stationed in Washington State.
Her Next Business
Christa's degree in Environmental Science served as a catalyst for her next entrepreneurial venture in sustainable fashion. Inspired by her studies, in 2019 Christa founded a groundbreaking swimwear company, Seals Swimwear, committed to environmental sustainability and philanthropy. Utilizing her expertise in environmental science, entrepreneurship, and leadership, the company creates swimwear from recycled ocean waste. Her brand actively engages in beach clean-ups, enlisting and managing an average of 250 volunteers per event, demonstrating a holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community involvement. Christa not only embodies her passion for environmental conservation but also inspires positive change. During the pandemic, her company donated thousands of pieces of medical equipment to local hospitals.
Family
Following her retirement from the Army in 2020, Christa made the decision to return home to Florida to be with her parents, both battling cancer at the time. Recognizing the importance of family bonds, she prioritized spending precious moments with her entire family, having missed numerous birthdays, funerals, weddings, and the joyous arrivals of new family members during her time away. Over the course of about a year, she dedicated herself to rekindling their bond, cherishing every moment together. This period of reconnection laid the foundation for the next chapter of her life. In the spring of 2021, Christa and her fiancé welcomed their first child into the world. Family continues to hold immense significance in her life.
Real Estate Investing
In 2017, while stationed in Washington state, Christa began her journey into real estate investing, driven by a dual passion for financial growth and the opportunity to provide exceptional dwellings for future families. Through diligent self-education, including reading books, studying her mentors' investing patterns, and devouring countless hours of YouTube videos, she acquired invaluable knowledge and insights into the world of real estate investment. Discovering innovative strategies that yielded remarkable returns, Christa quickly realized the potential of real estate as a wealth-building vehicle and expanded her portfolio across the United States, including Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey. Through Christa's commitment of helping others with personal and professional growth, she extended her real estate guidance to friends and family, guiding them on their own investment journeys and ultimately earning them thousands extra each year through informed decisions.
Currently
Following the personal commitment to herself at the beginning of her journey, Christa is dedicated to mentoring others in personal and professional growth. Drawing from her diverse background and experiences in leadership, resilience, pattern recognition, analytics, and business, she guides individuals and teams to navigate life's challenges and pursue a clear path forward, regardless of their current circumstances. With a philosophy grounded in leadership, resilience, and clarity, Christa has mentored clients across the globe to discover their unique path, instilling confidence, clarity, and inspiring positive change.
Book a Discovery Call
Have you read numerous self-help books, tried all of the life hacks on the internet, and yet still find yourself falling short of your aspirations? Christa, having been a mentor to some of the world's elite leaders, could offer you transformative insights. Imagine how a brief conversation with her might alter your life's trajectory.
Let's connect, discuss your goals, and tailor your unique strategy that could be the compass to your ultimate destination.
Caleb B.
"Working with Christa over the years I was able to address a lot of challenges I've faced throughout the different stages of my life. She has helped me overcome obstacles and articulate my future goals, aspirations, and visions for myself. Truly dedicated and recommend working with her!
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