Katerra is an Asian-American woman who was expected to be 'perfect' growing up. Perfection meant always being happy, earning straight A's, excelling at everything, and pleasing everyone. She felt she had to keep wearing the Mask of Perfection because taking it off would shatter the illusion others had grown accustomed to. Katerra kept up the insanity, especially when her teachers and peers deemed her an 'overachiever,' yet to her family, she was simply being Asian. She realized that leadership roles and accolades were the bare minimum, not worthy of praise. So, it was no surprise that her accomplishments were rarely acknowledged, let alone celebrated.

   Honestly, the struggle of being 'too much' for some and 'not enough' to those who mattered only fueled her perfectionism and people-pleasing tendencies. Katerra felt that she had to earn validation, permission, and approval that never came. The relentless cycle of high performance with little fulfillment was unsustainable. Though she appeared confident, deep down she believed her worth was measured by how much she excelled.

   Eventually, she became overwhelmed and numb to her emotions. She burned out from the constant pressure to be who others wanted her to be, instead of doing what brought her joy. Once she hit rock bottom, life was just heartbeats, as if nothing mattered anymore. She became a shell of herself, disconnected from the life she built, it was devastating.

   Then, she started writing poems again. She felt hopeful that things could change. The act of writing helped her through some of the darkest periods of her life. Poetry allowed her to process her thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Sharing her poetry on stage showed her she wasn't alone, her words resonated with others who were struggling too.

   This is why she is passionate about poetry as a therapeutic and empowering outlet. The act of transcribing our internal world is an acknowledgment of how we are truly feeling, thinking, and perceiving our experiences. Sharing our vulnerability not only builds confidence but also gives others the chance to know us on a deeper level. Thus, she is committed to faciliating sessions that allow people to feel seen, heard, and understood through poetic expressions. After all, when we speak from our hearts, we speak to the hearts of others.