How One Homeschooling Mom and Healer Found Her Voice With Thought Leader
Kristy Burtenshaw’s journey has always been about movement—whether through dance, healing, or personal transformation. A homeschooling mother, former stage performer, and lifelong learner, Kristy has always sought to serve her community in meaningful ways. But stepping back into the spotlight after 20 years wasn’t just about rekindling her love of performing—it was about sharing a message that could truly change lives.
“I love to sing. I love to teach. I’ve always been a dancer at heart,” Kristy shares. “Even though I’m an introvert, I’ve always been an outgoing one. I used to be on stage in front of thousands of people, and I absolutely loved it. But it’s been two decades since I performed.”
Healing Through Knowledge
Over the years, Kristy’s focus shifted from performance to healing. A massage therapist by training, she found herself using every opportunity to educate others on hydration, muscle recovery, and self-care. “I used to get in trouble in massage school for talking too much,” she laughs. “But I just wanted people to understand how to feel better.”
This passion for education led her to explore holistic practices like yoga, chakras, meridian work, and ayurvedic medicine. Yet she noticed something troubling: people were walking away from their Christian roots in order to embrace alternative healing methods. For Kristy, it didn’t have to be either-or.
“I saw the need for people to understand that they could stay grounded in their foundation and still explore healing from other cultures. That’s the message I wanted to bring to the TEDx stage.”
Enter Thought Leader
That message brought her to Thought Leader, a platform she found through Instagram while writing her Bible study book series. Initially drawn by the idea of gaining a wider platform for her books, Kristy quickly realized that TEDx—and the structured support of Thought Leader—offered much more.
“I learned the investment was about the same as two semesters of college,” she recalls. “And I thought, what’s the opportunity cost? Nothing else I was doing felt big enough.”
Her goal? To grow her platform, reach more people with her teachings, and secure international publishing deals. “If I can grow my following and reach, then more people can be helped. That’s what this is really about.”
From Words to Impact
In just five months, Kristy went on to write four more books—all while refining her TEDx talk. The application intensive proved especially transformational.
“The process of condensing my entire talk into five sentences—that forced clarity. That was my favorite part so far,” she says. “It’s hard to shift from teacher mode to inspiring speaker mode, but Thought Leader’s system helped me make that transition.”
The Bigger Vision
Stage fright? Not for Kristy. She’s no stranger to lights and microphones. What excites her isn’t the performance—it’s the potential impact.
“I’m thrilled to think about how many people will see my talk and make small changes that lead to big ones. That’s the beauty of this—people have no idea how life-changing a simple shift in awareness can be.”
Whether it’s breathing differently, thinking more clearly, or healing more holistically, Kristy is driven by one mission: helping people access what’s already available to them—right now, for free.
“I’m giddy just thinking about it,” she says with a smile. “This isn’t about fame. It’s about serving.”
A New Chapter Begins
With a growing catalog of books, a crystal-clear message, and the power of the TEDx platform behind her, Kristy Burtenshaw is stepping back into the spotlight—not as a performer, but as a messenger. Through Thought Leader, she has found the clarity, coaching, and community to carry her story further than ever before.
Disclaimer
Thought-Leader LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by TED Conferences, LLC or any of its affiliates.