Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Akunne.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my career as a Pediatric ICU nurse after graduating from Prairie View A&M University’s College of Nursing. I worked as a staff RN for 2.5 years before starting my travel nurse career. Working as a staff RN is where my love for mental health began. Managing the care of patients with mental heart disorders intrigued me and made me aware of how truly scarce mental health resources are to individuals and their communities. Once I began this new adventure called travel nursing, I was faced with circumstances that challenged my mental health, while at the same time, learning and mastering the in’s and out’s of travel nursing. I began reading books and studying the power of the mind and how living life with your mind, body, and soul aligned as one makes for a positive healthy and holistic life. I’ve always been an athletic individual, but once I made the realization that physical activity enhanced and helped balance my mental health, I was an addict. As a nurse, I had a natural passion for helping others and promoting health, mental health and the power of the mind began a passion of mine through trials and tribulations, and my interest in fitness has always been at the surface. Through social media, I was able to share these passions with people and that’s when the questions and inquiries started rolling in. People asking for advice and help in relation to all three components: nursing, fitness, and mental health. This is essentially how Nurse Crys was birthed.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been an easy job being an influencer, motivator, and inspiration to others. At times, I feel unmotivated or pressured into creating content, which keeps me from functioning at my highest. Sometimes I doubt my ideas and abilities. This is when I have to remember the purpose of my positive lifestyle brand. You live your best personal life when your mental and physical are aligned. When I doubt myself or I’m unmotivated, I do what I call a “Crystal Check In” and I re-evaluate and figure out why I feel unmotivated, pressured, doubtful, etc. Then I hit the gym or go for a long run to relieve the anxiety and stress. Once I’m back in balance with myself, I’m able to execute my goals and tasks to the best of my ability.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Nurse Crys – what should we know?
My brand, soon to be business, is a positive lifestyle brand that focuses on living a healthy lifestyle mentally and physically, in addition to serving as a resource brand for all nurses. My brand is best known for being utilized as a free resource. I have a website that provides health and fitness tips, work out videos, mental health resources, and of course all things nursing. What I’m most proud of is being able to just help others. I always say whether I help one person, two people, or change the whole world, just knowing that I’m making an impact in the world brings me all the gratitude I need. My brand sets me apart from other lifestyle brands because of my persona. I’m intelligent and an academic scholar, but at the same time I’m silly, goofy, funny, and very relatable. I like to call myself well rounded.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The qualities that are most important to my success are my ambition and drive, but more importantly my natural resilience and ability to persevere. At the end of the day, regardless of the obstacles you face, believing in yourself and telling yourself “anything I want, I can have” is what keeps you moving forward and focused on your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nursecrys.com
- Email: nursecrys1@gmail.com
- Instagram: nurse.crys
- Twitter: nursecrys_
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