Kharissa
“You can’t love anyone beyond the capacity in which you love yourself – and love is a verb – nor can you pour from an empty cup. By making self-care the foundation and the core, we’re able to keep our cups full and totally show up in the relationships that matter to us the most.”
Kharissa is a passionate advocate for self-care. She is determined to challenge the notion that self-care is selfish, by promoting self-care as something that is not only selfless but powerful. Through her role as a CEO, a mother, and a wife she has experienced first hand how taking care of and loving yourself first allows you to then radiate that love onto others. She’s a strong leader and entrepreneur, who pioneered and manages the online health and wellness media company Grace & Grind. Through her work, Kharissa has empowered entire communities to prioritise their own wellbeing so that they may lead fulfilled lives. She is someone who leads with compassion, perseverance, and dedication. Meet Kharissa. This is her story.
All images are by Lexi Holifield.
P: Please introduce yourself!
G: My name is Kharissa Forte. I'm the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of an online health and wellness media company called Grace & Grind.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
G: In my own words, I would describe myself as creative, spiritual, and driven.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
G: My favorite thing about myself is that I understand the importance of self-care as it relates to not only myself but my role as a wife and my responsibility as a mother.
At Grace & Grind, our motto is self-care is the most selfless thing you can do. I believe this notion echoes the sentiments of Carl Jung who is known for having said, "The greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of the parents." As women, and for me particularly as a Black woman, society and traditions have taught us that the greatest way to demonstrate love is through sacrifice but it's just not true. Sacrifice is called for sometimes in any relationship, but it should never be the foundation or the core of a relationship.
You can't love anyone beyond the capacity in which you love yourself – and love is a verb – nor can you pour from an empty cup. By making self-care the foundation and the core, we're able to keep our cups full and totally show up in the relationships that matter to us the most.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
G: When I first left Kansas City and went off to Nebraska for college, 17 years ago (Jesus Christ!), people expected me to do exceedingly well. To their surprise and mine, I did not and flunked out after my sophomore year. Not only did I flunk out, but I returned home as a single mom. Somehow, I finessed my way into the University of Missouri - Kansas City where I studied journalism. By the time I graduated, I was 27 and married with two kids.
Because of that season of my life, I learned that I really could do anything I put my mind to. After graduating, I worked in radio, did a few television projects, became a certified health coach, and had a very successful digital marketing career. All of those experiences laid the groundwork necessary to birth Grace & Grind.
I think it just goes to show that women are powerful as hell and we can have whatever we want: the husband, the kids, the awesome career, and the time to enjoy it all.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
G: If I could give my younger self any advice, it would be: You don't need to have all the answers. All you really need is awareness of your skills and passions, an ear for intuition, and courage––lots of courage! Every experience you go through is a puzzle piece and eventually, the picture will be clear.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
G: To me, being a woman is about the ability to naturally implement both warrior and nurturer into everything we do. We are the vibe!
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
G: My grandma is a huge inspiration in my life! She was the first woman to teach me that no matter what I've got on my plate be it being a wife, mom, businesswoman, or whatever else, I'm a woman first. She gave me permission to keep my cup full long before I ever knew I would need to.