Conversations with the Inspiring Katie Tipton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Tipton.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Katie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I met Bob Tipton, my now-husband, in 2010. We had one date and two days later, he had a traumatic brain injury and ended up in a coma at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. I was actually on my way to pick him up for our second date when his friend called me to tell me what happened. It was hard to process but ultimately I decided to keep driving into the city and head to the hospital. He was iron working in Chicago and the floor collapsed beneath him. I knew there was something special about him at the end of our first date (I even called my best friend to share), so I stuck with him through his recovery, not knowing what the future would hold. It was a learning experience for both of us and the most difficult challenge of his life. A lot of friends and family didn’t understand, but we always found comfort and laughter just being together– even if it was in his parent’s basement a couple of times a week. There were definitely some hard times, but ultimately it just felt right. He always made it clear that I could not be his priority (yet!)– his recovery was his number one priority. We both know that it was that mindset that enabled him to recover as well as he did. After five years, he was finally in a place where he could move out and build a life for himself. During those five years, Bob knew he wanted to find a way to help others. 90% of those who suffer a Diffuse Axonal Injury TBI do not wake up, and 10% who do are severely impaired. Today, you would meet Bob and likely not even know that he is a brain injury survivor. This is why it is often called the “invisible injury.”

At that time, I was working as an operations manager with Hyatt Hotels in Chicago, where I worked for over five years. I started at the Front Desk and worked my way to various positions as I climbed the ladder: VIP Manager, Assistant Rooms Manager, and Front Office Manager. I also consistently fulfilled the role of Department Trainer during these positions. The bulk of my years as a manager was overseeing operations for a 1,259 room hotel.

I commuted 60-90 minutes each way to work, and Bob was 45 minutes from my work (and 35 minutes from my home). While nothing about our situation or relationship was convenient, Bob and I grew in love and moved to Arizona in January 2016. I accepted a job as Human Resource Manager at the iconic resort inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Arizona Biltmore Waldorf Astoria. Bob started a new endeavor in real estate with his father, establishing their own LLC. He and I also got our hands dirty as we flipped a condo in Tempe as another investment opportunity. I held the Human Resource Manager position for about 1.5 years until I made the hard decision to leave. After many conversations, I decided that Bob and my future family would be my priority, in addition to helping Bob start this nonprofit for brain injury: Beanies On Brains. We compliment each other very well– he is the visionary, and I am the detail-oriented “doer.” It is special to be able to support him and really make our dreams a reality. So, I left my hospitality career in the summer of 2017 and we established our nonprofit in October of that year, one month before we got married! I also took this time to fulfill a dream of my own– yoga teacher training. For about ten years, I knew I wanted to get my teaching certification, but it never fit into my schedule. Finally, I was able to take this on and I graduated from a program in March 2018. Currently, I teach yoga in the valley, manage the nonprofit, and am a mom of an adorable 4-month-old girl, Gabriella. 🙂

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! Bob had a difficult time recovering from brain injury and there were times when we were not able to see things from one another’s perspective. We actually took time off from our relationship for a few months but felt ready to commit to one another about two years after his accident. Some of the challenges were his inability to drive; this made me feel like I wasn’t being pursued or sought after as his girlfriend. I constantly came to see him, but he wasn’t able to see me– for five years! It played with my mind and created some doubts. Also, not knowing when or if he would be ready to build a life for himself and if his words would come true was also tricky. We had never been through something like this, and while I remember a friend asking, “How long are you going to wait for him?”, I just knew I wanted him in my life and that he was a good man, worth waiting for. So, I hung around and we made the best of a difficult situation.

I told Bob I wouldn’t move to Arizona without a ring, but when it came down to making that decision to either leave my career and follow him to Arizona or begin a long-distance relationship, I knew I needed to move. I knew that long distance would only hurt our relationship.

Having a career in hospitality was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was passionate about it and talented at it, but it was very demanding! As other young hospitality professionals know, the hours and schedule are, at best, grueling. Holidays, nights, weekends, irregular schedules, quick turnarounds, etc. While most of us just said “that’s the world we chose” and “it is what it is,” I tried to speak up to my bosses about some poor practices and attempted to express realistic alternatives that would help keep me and the other staff happy and healthy. Some small changes were made, but it would have taken a long time to shift the culture of the particular hotel that I was at. Additionally, I had asked our new executive director to apply for a promotion at a sister hotel, and he (having only worked with me for a few weeks) did not give me his blessing. I was disappointed but hung around for a little longer. After being so overworked, working 60+ hours a week, driving long distances on my commute and to see Bob, and pushing myself hard physically outside of work (I was training for races and was very physically active), I actually had a seizure. I have never had any health concerns and after scans and tests, they ruled the same– I was healthy! There was no real explanation for the seizure, other than it was a wake-up call. That was my breaking point and the moment at which I knew that the lack of work-life balance and this constant go-go-go from 5 am to 11 pm each day was not good for my health. I took a few months off and worked a relaxed retail job until I was ready to get back into hotels. I accepted a position that was my “goal position” in the first place, the one that my boss did not give me his blessing to apply to (fast forward to when I saw him in a meeting shortly after– well that was a nice feeling!). Part of me was nervous to get back into hotels, but again I had to trust the subtle nudge of my heart, and I am so glad I did. This opportunity was the best position I have held and the best team and leadership that I had worked for. I was still challenged and work very hard, but the environment was much more manageable and I was able to shine. I held this position for just over a year until I made the bittersweet move to Arizona with Bob. It was difficult to leave the best moment in my career thus far, but again… I knew there was something greater out there. So, I moved with the love of my life (and now we are making our dreams come true… AND have a four-month-old!).

To me, these experiences (1: sticking with a guy you barely know through a brain injury & 2: quitting a hospitality management role you worked your butt off for with no back-up plan & 3: moving across the country without a ring a.k.a. solid commitment) prove to me that even if a decision doesn’t really seem to make sense (logically) or if others don’t seem to understand (and think you’re crazy!), what matters most is that you listen to the silent pull of your heart. There is a reason for everything. Sometimes, you have to take a risk, get out of your comfort zone, and start to see that life is unfolding as it should, as it is meant to be– for YOU.

What should we know about Beanies On Brains? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am passionate about everything I do. If I lose passion, I make a change or find something else to do. Life is a gift and we should not waste time on something for which we do not feel called to do. I believe that every experience and work role lends itself to skills or connections that you will need later on. This has happened so many times in my life! It is not until later on that you start to see that one point prepares you for the next. Nothing is “wasted.” It is beautiful to see life unfold and to look back and realize there is a purpose to everything, to every chapter. The hard part is often ourselves; we tend to overthink, overanalyze, and let fear rule. We need to learn to trust that things will take form if we are following our heart.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I was always shy growing up. I was an observer. I didn’t care or need to be the center of attention. I am still this way! I appreciate being able to connect with others, and typically that happens by stepping aside and really listening. I think this helped me to be a better leader and giver in anything that I do. Most people want to be heard, to feel like someone is listening and understands.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @beaniesonbrains
• Facebook: Beanies On Brains
• Website: beaniesonbrains.org
• Email: beaniesonbrains@gmail.com

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