Laurie Laizure, host of the “To The Trade Podcast” from Interior Design Community, speaks with Michael Kaestner, a seasoned kitchen and bathroom designer from Philadelphia. While Michael shares insights from his 20-year design career, this episode primarily focuses on incorporating health and fitness into a designer’s hectic lifestyle. Michael discusses his journey with health challenges, including hypothyroidism, and how he integrates wellness practices like regular exercise, proper nutrition, and mental check-ins into his routine. The conversation covers practical fitness tips, the importance of mental health, balancing designer-client relationships, and maintaining professional composure. Laurie and Michael emphasize the importance of setting personal health goals, boundary setting, and self-care strategies to ensure a sustainable and successful design career.
Time Stamp-
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:10 Michael’s Design Business Background
00:59 Transition to Health and Fitness
01:48 Incorporating Health into Design
04:18 Personal Health Journey
06:20 Nutrition and Fitness Tips
11:09 Daily Routines and Small Changes
22:45 Holistic Approach to Life and Business
28:27 Reaping the Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle
29:17 Tools and Techniques for Staying Active
29:53 The Importance of Movement and Avoiding Sedentary Habits
33:37 Mindfulness and Mental Health Check-ins
38:38 Handling Stress and Emotional Well-being
43:59 Navigating Client Relationships and Setting Boundaries
51:54 Balancing Professional and Personal Life
54:19 Final Thoughts and Takeaways