Beauty and her Brain

I remember when David first showed me this picture, I thought, ew I look so fat. A year later I’m like wow, she looks so powerful. This woman just gave birth after getting daily injections for 10 months. Before that, she reinvented herself multiple times and is continuously recovering from a brain injury. This is not to brag or to compare trauma but to remind you, mom. You are so resilient. I’m proud of you sir showing up everyday even when people said you couldn’t, you kept pushing. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom and mom figures pushing through the b.s. Showing up matters, you matter.

TOP NOTCH, TOP KNOT. After my stroke one of the hardest things for me to deal with was my hair. My hair is my thing. Who’s isn’t? It’s such a form of self expression and there I was, a 30-years-old with my mother helping me put my hair in a pony. It was a flash back to grammar school when she would put a chunk of gel in my hair and pull my thick Latina locks into a tight pony. Eyebrows and forehead pulled back, I’d scream “THAT HURTS!” It hurt when I was 12 and again at 30 as a grown ass woman. It was embarrassing but I kept practicing. First it was a low bun, then a high pony and now I’m getting that top knot down, honey! If you’re struggling with recovery or anything, keep practicing and stay huge on hope. It gets easier! 👏🏾👏🏾

28 days of new possibilities 💕

Happy Monday! Did you miss our first newsletter drop this weekend? No worries! Sign up here: https://www.kristenaguirre.org/newsletter for the next one or paste your email below and we’ll send you the latest one with tips on how to love your life on 2025.

Change is hard but inevitable. Today I’m reflecting on my one year anniversary in the nonprofit world.

Last year I left my job in broadcast journalism for a healthier lifestyle . I was also very pregnant and scared my morning shift would negatively impact the baby. My body is so different post stroke and lack of sleep really throws it out of whack.

This pregnancy was a miracle in itself as we were warned it could be hard to get pregnant and stay pregnant. I was willing to do anything and everything to keep my baby safe and healthy, including leaving an industry that I love. I knew it was God’s plan when a role at a nonprofit I loved had an opening for me.

Was this easy? Absolutely not.I struggled so much in this slower environment, despite thinking I would thrive. I spent nearly two decades meeting deadlines in news . My brain was grateful for this new pace but my nervous system was constantly on edge. A year in it’s getting better but I still struggle some days. I thought things would be different more than five years post stroke but I’m still learning and gaining insight into this new Kristen and I’m learning to love her. Have you struggled with change post stroke?

Back at it! 2025 is the year we grow this community! What is the content you’re interested is seeing more of? Let’s help other women on their recovery journeys! 🧠

Calling all beauties with brains, it's our time to shine!! See you in Mile High!!

AMERICAN BRAIN FOUNDATION/COMMITMENT TO CURES GALA — KRISTEN AGUIRRE Join Kristen in Denver on Saturday, April 13, 2024 for the Annual Commitment to Cures Gala, an inspiring evening that celebrates and supports brain disease research.

A great quote to wrap up . A disability doesn't make you less than, it simply makes you more diverse. It's been almost five years since my stroke and today I couldn't be more proud of my disability. It's taught me so much!

As we wrap up Women's History month, we want to pay tribute to one woman in particular who's made a HUGE impact on our community. Judy Heumann was a disability rights activist who made a major impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She pushed for our equal rights and same opportunities regardless of ability. Judy, you're forever our hero! Here's one of our favorite quotes from her. Please share and keep her message alive!

ID: Graphic with text: When other people see you as a third-class citizen, the first thing you need is a belief in yourself and the knowledge you have rights. - Judy Heumann

WE’RE BACK!! We needed a small hiatus for our mental health but we’re ready to rock and roll again with another beauty!! Meet Maysyn!
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I spent a year in rehab hospitals. It’s been an uphill battle, no doubt about it. I’ve been guided by so many great people along the way; nurses, doctors, therapists, kitchen staff, family, friends.

Since my strokes, I’ve lost 70lbs, got married, got my license back, travelled solo, & met so many great friends!

It’s a hard, dark battle. One I wouldn’t change though. I’ve grown as a human being, I’m a stronger sister, daughter, wife, friend.

Don’t be mean to yourself, you are so much stronger than you think! We survived a horrible traumatic event. We are BAD ASS BRAIN BEAUTIES! 🧠💕

Focus on Y-O-U. Easier said than done, AMIRITE? Or am I right?? Moving back to Chicago has been such a hard transition for me, I started to develop this awful habit of caring what others think about me and my decisions but thankfully I’ve surrounded myself with people like who remind me of who I really am and bring me back down when I get too in my head.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Stop caring about what others are doing and focus just on you and the beauty in your life.

Go for a walk meditate, get back into the attitude of gratitude and watch everything good in your life get better.

The first thing I eliminated from my vocabulary as soon as my recovery began is the word “can’t” Are some things more difficult for me to tackle? YUP but it doesn’t mean I can’t do it. Eliminating that one word helped my brain and spirit believe there’s nothing I couldn’t/can’t take on.

The scariest thing about paralysis, for me was that i wouldn’t be able to live a fulfilled life or do things i did prior to my stroke. Simply, not true. “Can’t” was not a word I wanted to confine myself to. What walls are you confining yourself to? Knock em down and start rebuilding your life!💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

That attitude has helped rebuild me into this tough woman who truly believes to her core, she can tackle anything and everything thrown my way. YOU.CAN.TOO.