Kat

“I love how connected we are as women, to life, whether it be kids, animals or the environment. As a woman I feel so in touch with my intuition and the world around me, on an emotional level I know exactly how to articulate what I want and need.”

— Kat

Kat is a courageous leader who began navigating her hair loss journey at the age of 7 when she was diagnosed with Alopecia. This autoimmune condition has presented her with many challenges, but has also helped shape her into the resilient and benevolent woman she is today. She has been able to transfer her experiences living with this condition into educational content through multiple social media avenues, including TikTok where she has garnered over 500,000 followers. She not only serves as a guiding light for her two children who have Alopecia areata, but also for the millions of people across the globe who live with this condition and now have access to her inspiring and informative videos. Her mission to help others has been built on the foundation of inclusivity, bravery and self-love, casting away society’s harmful beauty standards and proving that hair does not determine an individual’s worth. This is Kat’s story.

K: Please introduce yourself!

KH: My name is Katrina although my friends call me Kat. I'm a 39yo mother of 2, gorgeous kids and all 3 of us have Alopecia.

K: Describe yourself in your own words

KH: I run my own virtual admin business. Train at a gym up to 4 times a week. Have a number of social media accounts for creating awareness around life with hair loss. Have 2 school age children that I get to and from school everyday and they are also competitive gymnasts that I get to and from training 4 times a week. Have a beautiful house that I maintain. Am a wife, mother, daughter, aunt, sister and friend.

My hair has been coming and going like the waves of the ocean my entire life, it started when I was 9 with each wave eroding my self esteem and reminding me I was not in control. Sometimes these waves felt like Tsunamis that I would never survive.

Society has led us to believe that we need to look a certain way to survive and that enabled my power to be taken by Alopecia, instead of me taking back my power and realising that hair doesn't matter.

I know this now, I am attractive, strong, beautiful and successful without hair.

K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?

KH: My favourite thing about me is my compassion, I have so much compassion for people, animals, music and just life in general. Compassion leads me to be open minded and considerate, I'm always thinking about the behind of what is going on, and considering how I can help.

K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?

KH: Growing up without hair in a world where hair is made to be so important for women was tough; on a girls night out everyone gets their hair done, for a wedding or special event everyone gets their hair done, when you have something special to go to you get your hair done. For me that wasn't an option, so there were times when I wasn't invited or didn't get included because those around me were worried I would be upset and didn't want to hurt me. Mind you, being included the same as everyone would have been the best thing for me, it would have reminded me that I don't need hair to be a part of society.

What made me realise even more just how strong and worthy I am is when my 12 year old daughter and 10 year old son were both diagnosed with Alopecia Areata within the last 2 years. They both have patches which was one of the toughest and most heartbreaking things for me, realising they are like me and likely got Alopecia from me. It also made me realise they are so lucky, lucky to have me as their mum, a woman that loves herself the way she is and has done everything she wanted to, raised two beautiful kids, has an amazing work life and beautiful home. I have done all of this with Alopecia in my life. I have and am constantly showing them you don't need to look a certain way to be amazing and successful.

K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

KH: I wish I worked out sooner that I am strong, beautiful and feminine without hair, but hey at the end of the day I have followed my path and come to the destination of acceptance and self love, it doesn't matter that it took me a while, I have still arrived here and anyone that is doubting themselves because of a difference can arrive at acceptance to. It's never too late to realise your worth and love yourself again.

K: What does being a woman mean to you?

KH: I love how connected we are as women, to life, whether it be kids, animals or the environment. As a woman I feel so in touch with my intuition and the world around me, on an emotional level I know exactly how to articulate what I want and need.

Sidney

Sara