Anna Kennedy shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Anna, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually start my day at 6:00 AM with a strength training workout—it’s a great way to wake up both my body and mind. After that, I have a quick breakfast of eggs and cottage cheese. Once the house is moving, my husband and I walk the kids to school, which gives us a few minutes of fresh air and connection before the day takes off. Then I head back home, get ready for work, and leave for the office—just a short 4-minute commute away. It’s a routine that keeps me focused, energized, and connected with what matters most.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Anna, Founder and Lead Therapist at Elevate Counseling + Coaching, a practice rooted in the belief that lasting growth happens when therapy is paired with intentionality, mindset work, and real-life application. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused approaches, and integrating leadership and wellness coaching into the therapeutic process.
My current focus is supporting mothers through all stages of motherhood—from preconception and pregnancy, through the postnatal period, and the ongoing journey of mothering. Additionally, I work closely with teenagers dealing with anxiety, helping them develop coping strategies, resilience, and emotional clarity during this critical time.
I also serve as Co-President of the Eating Disorder Information Network (EDIN), where we equip educators, coaches, counselors, and healthcare providers with tools to recognize eating disorders and support mental health in their communities. Advocacy, education, and prevention are central to this work.
At Elevate, what makes us unique is our holistic approach—blending evidence-based therapy with coaching strategies to support not just healing, but thriving. Whether through one-on-one sessions, workshops, or speaking engagements, I’m passionate about helping people develop clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of purpose in their lives and leadership.
Right now, I’m especially focused on expanding our outreach around motherhood therapy and adolescent anxiety, partnering with organizations and communities to bring greater awareness and accessible support to these important populations.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and now needs to be released is my tendency to be too hard on myself and overly judgmental. For a long time, this inner critic pushed me to strive for excellence and avoid mistakes. I’ve lived through failure—moments that once felt devastating—but instead of beating myself up over them, I’m learning to see failure as an essential part of growth and learning. Those experiences have taught me resilience, self-compassion, and perspective. Now, I’m ready to let go of that harshness and embrace kindness toward myself, knowing that true progress comes from acceptance and patience, not self-judgment.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering and adversity taught me lessons that success simply couldn’t. It revealed the depths of my own resilience and the power of vulnerability. While success often feels like validation from the outside, challenge forced me to look inward and confront my fears, doubts, and limitations. Through those difficult moments, I learned compassion—not just for others, but for myself. I discovered that growth isn’t always about winning or achieving, but about how we rise after falling. Falling down on my face gave me humility, perspective, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
No, the public version of me isn’t the full, real me—it’s just a slightly modified version. I believe everyone puts forward a version of themselves that’s tailored for the situation, kind of like wearing different outfits for different occasions. The core of who I am stays the same, but I adjust how much I share or how I present myself depending on the context. It’s not about being fake; it’s about protecting my vulnerability while still connecting authentically with others.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m outdoors with my family—whether we’re swinging in the yard, mountain biking, or playing baseball together. There’s something amazing about hearing the hum of many hummingbirds at the feeder nearby and or seeing my garden flourishing (lets be real though, oftentimes it does not flourish) Those moments remind me to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply be present with the people and beauty I love most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatecounselingco.com
- Instagram: @annankennedy
Image Credits
Rustic White
