60: From Sports Sciences to Public Health Harm Reductionist with Kristen Gonzalez-Soto, MPH

Interview with Kristen A. Gonzalez-Soto, MPH

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Highlights from this episode:

1. Becoming a Public Health Harm Reductionist
2. Transitioning from sports science into public health
3. Using running and other body movement as therapy

Episode 60 of Public Health Careers

Kristen A. Gonzalez-Soto, MPH is a Harm Reduction Outreach Coordinator and HIV/STI Program Coordinator for South West Louisiana Harm Reduction.

Kristen got her Bachelor of Sports Science at the American Public University. She then went on to become a United States Marine Corp Veteran where she was for 4 years. Kristen shares how she was recruited into the USMC from when she was living out of her car after running away from home.

Kristen then got certified in Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. From working at her grandmothers laundry mat, she recognized the public health issues of community members in her community. She then decided to go and get her Master of Public Health at American Public University.

She currently works for the South West Louisiana Harm Reduction as a Harm Reduction Outreach Coordinator and HIV/STI Program Coordinator. During the interview we dig deep into more about harm reduction and its importance in public health.

Kristen has an Instagram profile where she shares about her journey as our resident IG Harm Reductionist. Kristen is an avid marathoner and triathlon participant. She speaks to how this was a form of replacement therapy on her journey.