Conversations with Ken Meeker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Meeker.

Hi Ken, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Had I been told 25 years ago that my life would turn out as it has, I would have thought it preposterous. After High School, I leaned heavily into the booming electronic music scene as a DJ, event promoter, and record store owner. While I was successful in these efforts, I found the long term stability and volatility as something I was not comfortable with.

Prior to relocating to San Diego in 2001, I had worked off and on in the commercial insurance industry. After relocating, I began working in insurance full time. Over the next decade and a half I would take on increasing levels of responsibility, culminating into leadership roles. An aspect of these leadership roles was employee engagement and development. I dedicated myself to creating meaningful opportunities for staff to learn, grow, and advance their careers.

In 2014, I faced a significant health scare where I lost the majority of my sight. Under the care of dedicated medical care teams and support from family and friends, I was able to stabilize my health over the following two and a half years. While my significant vision loss is permanent, I am grateful for what remains.

Once my health was relatively stable in 2016, my mom, who previously had breast cancer twice, learned the cancer had returned and metastasized. My mission was to take care of my mom and ensure she was able to live the remainder of her life to the fullest. Sadly, we lost my mom to cancer early in 2018.

It could be reasonable and perhaps justified to think too much had been taken away in too short a time, resulting in a jaded and negative attitude. What I leaned into after my moms passing was not the loss, but the spirit of living with purpose and meaning. I examined my strongest values and what work I had done that lifted me up and brought light into the world.

I discovered that I am most passionate about advocating and supporting others in achieving their goals and ambitions. That is what led me first to working as a career specialist and then launching my own small business as a career, life, and leadership coach. This work has expanded significantly into disability inclusion and advocacy work along with working with businesses and organizations on the benefits of inclusive hiring.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggle is an unavoidable aspect in life. We all face challenges and barriers to the things we hope for and dream about. My mom once said to me, “I don’t expect life to be fair, but it would sure be nice if it could be a little more even.” I really enjoy this statement because there is a lot of truth to it. Everyone will face things in their life that are hard, and to compare our challenges to what others face does not help. Our challenges are our own.

I am the youngest of three boys who were raised by a single mother. My mom worked hard and went without a lot in order to make sure my brothers and I had what we needed in order to become successful in our lives. She struggled so that we had opportunities. One of the greatest gifts my brothers and I received was being insulated from the hardships my mom faced as a single mom. We didn’t have much, but we always had clothes for school, a roof over our head, and food in our bellies.

For much of my life I struggled with non-diagnosed clinical depression. It was not until I was in my thirties that I received a diagnosis and began addressing my depression with psychologists. The evening of July 4th, 2014, I found myself struggling to see and within less than an hour all I could see was a completely washed out grey color. Tests revealed a massive infection in my eyes that required a long hospitalization, extended treatment, and multiple surgeries if I was to regain any sight at all.

Over the next two and half years, I had four eye surgeries and several rounds of infusion therapy to treat the infection. It was a significant challenge due to my needing help with basic needs. I could no longer drive, and had to learn how to navigate the world with severely limited vision. Fortunately, I had the support of family and friends and my mom and I made the decision to live together.

Because my mom and I were already living together, when she received her terminal cancer diagnosis, I was able to step in and provide her with the support and care she needed. In a way, it is only because of my own vision loss that I was able to provide the care and support my mom needed during this time.

So when I reflect on struggle and hardship, I don’t have resentment or think “why me.” I believe it is only through facing challenges and struggle that we are able to grow and become the best versions of ourselves.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently I am the owner of Vitality Career Coaching LLC. A boutique career, life, leadership, and professional coaching company where I do individual coaching for professionals seeking more fulfillment and meaning in their work. Often, my clients are high performing professionals who feel “stuck.” Over several years I developed a system that helps people re-align their professional and personal lives with values and goals. I also work with businesses and organizations to inform and guide them on the benefits of inclusive hiring and diverse teams with a special emphasis on disability inclusion and accessibility.

Due to my significant experience and training in insurance, I am uniquely qualified to advise companies how inclusive hiring can benefit them by reducing liability exposure, increased opportunities, and social justice perspectives. I am a Certified Professional Coach, Certified ADA Coordinator, Inclusive Behavior Inventory Certified, and hold certifications in project management, AI, leadership, workforce development, and maintain a license as an insurance producer. It is because I possess a wide range of knowledge that I am able to “see the big picture” when helping clients overcome challenges and barriers.

Because disability inclusion and creating greater accessibility is an essential aspect of my work, I engage in a significant amount of advocacy work. This includes writing, public speaking, and additional outreach with communities and organizations. I am the creator and host of the “Dissing My Ability Podcast” that is currently in its second season.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I believe it is critical to take some time in early adulthood to just live and experience life. This will allow you to figure out who you are and what you genuinely care about. Find meaningful volunteer opportunities and try out different things and see what resonates for you. Too many young adults go directly from high school to college without fully understanding who they are and what they want from their careers. Giving yourself time to figure these out – even if just a little bit – can mean not changing your college major. A lot of college students change their majors at least once, and this can wind up costing them a significant amount of money in tuition and student loan debt.

Pricing:

• For individual, one=on-one coaching I have a flat rate of $125.00 per hour.
• When working with businesses or organizations, fees depend on the extent of the project and the timeframe.
• When doing public speaking, there are several factors to consider. I work with organizations on a fair and commensurate fee.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vitalitycareercoaching.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmeekeraz/