Open, honest, and grounded are three words that come to mind when I reflect on my conversation with Dr. Christine Izuakor (@steinology). This Ph.D. and motivational speaker is both inspired and inspiring.

Christine Izuakor

Christine and I met at 1871 in Chicago, an incubator for fast-moving start-ups. I was quickly drawn to her magnetic personality and curious about the incredible success she had experienced at a relatively young age. When you spend time with her, you quickly understand the depth of her intellect, curiosity, and tenacity.
In our conversation, her vulnerability really stood out to me. From topics like stress eating, moving past toxic relationships, healing trauma, and how home dynamics growing up have changed her perspective, she not only opened up about challenges, she also focused on the resources she has used to grow. It’s clear that her approach is working, as her business is not only funded by Google, but she also maintains a pretty awesome work-life balance and travels to beautiful global locations. Just check out her Instagram and you’ll want to be there with her.

A Favorite Self-Care Takeaway

Reflecting on her approach to self-care, her visual of keeping an eye on “little Christine” and staying aware of how her inner child is feeling is one method that I have begun to use in my daily life.

Self-Care Leads to Big Success

Following our conversation back in 2020, Chrstine has built a premier on-demand marketplace for connecting world-class experts to pop-up cyber security projects. Cyber Pop-up is Google-funded and has received multi $100k funding awards, including first place in TechRise Chicago, where Christine is now a judge. Christine was awarded 40 Under 40 Changemakers from American Airlines, Verizon, and BMO Harris. A true advocate for finding balance, she works remotely in global locations while leading her company to the next phase of growth.

Top 3 Tips for Finding Greater Self-Awareness and Investing in Who You Trust

Start with deepening self-awareness—being okay to be yourself and okay being with yourself.
Make certain the people you choose to hold space for offer that same space to you.
Self-care is more than maintenance; it’s healing and commitment to constant evolution.

“My purpose is to be the best version of me I can be. I am here to reach my fullest potential.”

A few of my favorite insights from Christine

0:00 - Introduction

3:49 - Her journey to finding purpose

5:57 - Changing the cybersecurity landscape

7:40 - How to think about self-care

8:55 - Distractions and how to move past them

10:48 - Healing trauma

13:51 - Working with a life coach

17:15 - Her why and staying grounded

19:03 - Family patterns and transforming past them

21:26 - Stress eating and making mindful choices

23:36 - Finding the right relationships

26:52 - Why 360 feedback is vital

31:06 - Moving past toxic relationships

37:28 - Finding energy as an introvert (during COVID)

41:03 - Using meditation apps

About Christine

Christine Izuakor, the youngest African American female to receive a Ph.D. in Security Engineering, combines all of her passions in her position as the CEO of Cyber Pop-up, an on-demand cybersecurity platform. Inspired by her desire to combat the shortage of diverse perspectives in the technology industry, Cyber Pop-up connects companies to cyber security services with a focus on helping people from all walks of life and backgrounds. In our interview, we discuss various types of self-care, including maintenance versus healing, as well as the importance of taking a step back to reflect on the highs and lows of your life.

About Christine: Dr. Christine Izuakor is the CEO of Cyber Pop-up, an on-demand cybersecurity service platform powered by vetted and highly skilled cyber freelancers. Christine has more than a decade of experience leading cybersecurity functions within the Fortune 100 arena and has managed everything from global security strategy and awareness impacting 90,000 employees in over 300 locations to owning vulnerability management of thousands of enterprise assets. Her rapid and impressive growth within the tech industry landed her spots on Chicago Business Crain’s Tech 50 List as well as the Crain’s 20 in Their 20s list. Christine has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, Cheddar News, and more.

Feeling Inspired to start your own self-care routine?

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