Locals in the Loupe: Interview with Katherine Vrastak, author of the bestsellers “Ignite Possibilities” and “Ignite the Hunger in You”.

INTERVIEW by Mai-Liis Renaud

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason and after listening to your story, through a few radio shows you’ve been on, I detect that you think that too because from what I see the things that happened in your past has helped shape who you are and also where you are today.

Katherine, Are you from Cornwall?

No, I was not born and raised here in Cornwall. I was born in Thunder Bay and lived there until I was 17 years old. I only came to Cornwall in 1994, to go to St. Lawrence College and work part-time at A&P on 2nd Street, which is now called Food Basics. I had transferred to A&P, having worked in Thunder Bay at A&P, while finishing high school immediately after the murder of my family.

I got married in Montreal shortly after finishing college and settled in Williamstown for 21 years. Now [I’m] live in Cornwall, which is a huge change for me from living in the country. However, Cornwall is a small town where everyone likes to be friendly.

I have worked for the Upper Canada School Board since 1998 after completing the SSW program at St. Lawrence College. I take great pride in being a teacher’s aide who helps students of all ages learn according to their abilities. I have always worked behind the scenes to help others rise up to achieve their goals, dreams and make their future bright, since I was a little girl at 10 years old. To this day, I am very proud of all the students I have had the humility and honor to support. They all taught me about perseverance, staying focused on your dreams, and never losing sight of gratitude in all things.

I am passionate about preserving the mental health of all students. It has been my passion to save lives from the mental health stigma that is so prevalent but never talked about enough until COVID hit. I’ve even witnessed family members, colleagues, and other professionals committing suicide too soon, which set me on the path to ending STIGMA. In fact, suicide is a taboo subject that needs to be talked about more to prevent it, instead of “sweeping it under the rug” all together. I really want to be an active member in helping to make suicide go away. In fact, I know all too well how much mental health can affect a person’s life.

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I believe your journey has led you to your career in counselling. Please tell us about this, what type of counseling do you do and what is your practice called?

Currently I am supporting people in Facebook groups, on Clubhouse and some people virtually, as they ask for help. It was helpful for many not to feel alone. I call my website Sacred Roots Coaching because I provide a sacred space for people to be listened to, heard and validated for perhaps the first time in their lives. I keep space for them to heal the inner wounds of the child and dive deep into letting go of forgiveness so they can be free. Forgiveness is not about letting the other person off the hook, but rather about breaking free from the chains of anger, fear, shame, and guilt.

Growing up before my mother died, she taught me the appreciation and value of giving back to those less fortunate. Indeed, my mother died with missionaries, giving her time, resources, and unconditional support. I’m a mental health advocate on a mission to save a billion lives and end suicide. My “mess” from my past has become my “message” to help save lives from suffering in silence and break the stigma of mental health. I consciously choose to be a beacon for others to see their full potential and RISE too

The type of services I offer are one-on-one sessions that guide people through powerful forgiveness processes, soul genesis healing and neuro-linguistic programming and hypnosis that heals all emotions at the root related to limiting beliefs. My website is www.sacredrootscoaching.com

How and when did you become an author?

I released my first book, Ignite Possibilities, May 28-30, 2021. My next book Ignite the Hunger in You with Les Brown will be released December 06-08. “This book will spark endless possibilities, inspire and transform your life. Whatever is holding you back, you will see you can take action with all the steps at the end of each chapter!!”

In the new year, once the COVID restrictions are lifted, I will be hosting a book signing for both books at the public library. In fact, I’m also working on my third New Years book launch called Ignite Forgiveness.

What is your first book “Ignite Possibilities” about?

My first book, Ignite Possibilities is about my journey closing a very turbulent chapter in my life where I literally had to get up after a “perfect storm”. I talk in this chapter about everything that happened in the space of a year, whether I had the “wind” or the “breath” knocked out! In fact, I was knocked down to my knees, after a tree fell on my head that fell on my house during a storm. I discuss how my healing journey has taken me on a path of forgiveness unlike anything I could have imagined. I can honestly say that I forgave the three men who took my family members away from me. I decided that I wanted to be FREE from the pain and suffering that I had been carrying over the years in my body.

None of these books are for the benefit of the 35 authors of each. All proceeds go to a school in Cambodia being built. (pictured below) Both books can be purchased and downloaded from Amazon now.

You now have a second book, “Ignite the Hunger in you” which was released on December 6th. What is this book about? I believe it’s written with Les Brown. For those of us who don’t know, who is Les Brown and what is his connection to you and this book?

This book chronicles my journey to self-love after I no longer liked who I looked at in the mirror. I chose to go on a journey to love myself and show self-compassion and even do some introspection of forgiveness towards my deceased mother after she broke my nose when I was a little girl. I share how this journey helped me accept, let go and love again. At the end of the chapter, there are action steps that others can also apply to their lives, if they wish.

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You also do public speaking. Can you tell us about it because I believe that you have participated in very well-known events?

Yes, I speak in public and am currently speaking at all virtual events. I’m on many podcasts, radio shows, Summits, Cogeco TV and Ticker News. I have an exciting virtual summit with Les Brown on December 10th.

If someone wants to publish a book, do you have any advice for them and how would they go about writing and publishing the book?

Yes, I have a 17-time international best-selling editor; JB Owen at Ignite Publishing, which I can recommend to anyone looking to get published. I also have editors to personally recommend.

Contact me and I can personally connect you to both.

What are your contact details and if someone wants to buy one of your books, where can they be found in our area?

Kate Vrastak on LinkedIn and Facebook and my website at http://www.sacredrootscoaching.com Here is a free code https://bit.ly/3FXiiKN, for a free pdf file of a personal roadmap to help people on their way to forgiveness.

Are there any events in the near future that you could attend where people can come and meet you in person?

I have scheduled a book signing at the Cornwall Public Library for January 22, once the COVID restrictions are lifted. The public library will carry my two books on the shelf as well to borrow. For more information, call the library at (613) 932-4796.

Always interviewed on many podcasts, TV channels and summits. Waiting to be published in magazines and newspapers too.

What does the future hold for you? Other books on the horizon?

Yes, I have another compilation book coming out in the new year called Ignite Forgiveness. I am also working on my own solo book.

Do you have any advice for us?

I would really encourage people to reach out and not suffer in silence if they have mental health issues. Know that you are NEVER alone.

Please remember my acronym for Forgive:

F-Freedom to let go of the pain of the past

O-Open your heart to let love in

A- Asking for HELP and receiving from others

G-Gift to yourself first. Fill your cup first and heal before helping someone else.

I- “Intuition” / Whisper of God

V-Value yourself enough to respect yourself and your limits

E-Empathy for oneself and for others as they do the best they can with the resources they have.

www.instagram.com/4Sacred_roots

www.sacredrootscoaching.com

https://facebook.com/chatkat7 Kate Vrastak | LinkedIn

GOOD NEWS: On January 22, join author Katherine Vrastak at the Cornwall Public Library where she will be signing copies of her latest books ‘Ignite Possibilities’ and ‘Ignite the Hunger in You’! For more information, call the library at (613) 932-4796.

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