Meet Kristen Rud | Owner of MM Women’s Wellness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Rud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I recently became a full time caretaker of two teenagers, which has drastically shifted my necessity for work life balance. Prior to stepping into a motherhood role, I was 100% dedicated to my business. As a birth worker, it’s often required to work days on end, overnight, and with little to no notice. As an entrepreneur, there are many late nights and weekends committed to sustaining online platforms, product production, and all of the “backend” things that keep a business running. Now that my personal life has shifted, I have had to pivot and search for a way to make the business work for me instead. This has included training other women to help fill in the gaps and letting go of control. For us at MM, balance has been possible because we have always valued our people- the community. Because of this core value that we’ve stood by, we’ve had the right people willing and ready to effectively step up.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
MM Women’s Wellness stands out because of our unique approaches to helping women step into their power. We began with our core movement medicine modality- the Mermaid Movement. These classes help women step ‘out of the head and into the body’ with a combination of dance, yoga, meditation, breath work and somatic movements. This is where the creation truly begins. Since Mermaid Movement launched in 2017, we’ve now certified over 20 women to teach and share the modality all over the US.

We then began to invite women in from all over the country for our annual event in San Diego- Spiritual Summer Camp – where women can reconnect to nature, community, and most importantly, themselves. This year we had over 45 women join us for our seventh annual camping retreat, and we are hopeful that the tradition lives on for years to come.

We stepped into publishing in 2023, and we’ve now published over 100 women’s stories and creative expression in MM Publication: Inspiration for the Modern Magdalena. There have been so many failures and successes along the way that have gotten us to where we are today; it certainly wasn’t easy. My best advice to someone at the beginning stages of building is to never be afraid to ‘begin again.’ Rather than going against the flow, know when it’s time to surrender to the waves and let them guide you home.

If anyone is wondering about the foundations we are built upon, I suggest reading my book, The Wheel of the Woman: An Almanac to Women’s Wellbeing. It’s a simple, digestible read that really lays out our belief system and our methods to working with nature, rather than against it as a postmodern woman.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If we’re talking San Diego, I’d definitely recommend taking a day to go inland and inward- heading through the mountains of Julian, Anza Borrego, and making your way towards Temecula, where MM began. While in Temecula, I’d suggest a yoga class at Home Yoga Temecula and lunch on a patio somewhere in Old Town. Obviously, a day on the coast is a must! My favorite beach is Encinitas, and don’t forget to walk through the Yogananda Self Realization Gardens while you’re there for a magical experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Sharissa Bradley, owner and founder of 5TwoPress has really stepped up to the plate and made it possible for us to spread our message. Not only has she helped us publish three publications and one book within one year, but she has worn many hats throughout the process- from editing and designing, to coaching and encouraging the women of our community, she has poured her heart into our mission and our vision.

Website: https://www.mmwomenswellness.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mm.womenswellness/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenspears/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themermaidmovement

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClX5KHbe6xdTWSr_fugBWww

Other: https://www.mmpublication.org/

Image Credits
Tia Esther Creative