Christina Rasmussen is a grief coach and author of Second Firsts: Live, Laugh and Love Again. With clear-spoken science and inspiring stories, Second Firsts guides readers through The 5-Step Life Re-entry Model: a revolutionary process that turns the whole notion of ‘grief recovery’ inside out — taking loss out of the spotlight, and placing life front + center. As the founder of Second Firsts, Christina now spends her time speaking, coaching and helping thousands of people to rebuild, reclaim and re-launch their whole lives — using the most powerful tool for personal reinvention: the human mind. Before creating Second Firsts, Christina worked as a therapist + crisis intervention specialist. But after losing her husband to colon cancer, Christina experienced the agony of sudden loss, firsthand. With two daughters in tow, she began the tender process of transforming her tragedy into a new career, a renewed sense of purpose, and a life of joy + laughter. But as she points out: “This has never been about my story. This is about the work of Re-Entry. It’s about choosing to dance, laugh, love + live again.

In this interview, Christina gives hope to those who are grieving. She discusses the importance of talking about grief, but then allowing even just 5 minutes a day to “plug into life” rather than wait until the grief subsides. She helps others “reentry” the world by trying to overcome the fear that often tries to prevent us from living fully. Grief changes over time. Christina says “grief is an inhuman experience that takes place outside time and space.” It’s helpful to surround ourselves with positive people who help us find life outside the “waiting room.”

Christina shares her five-step reentry process helps people bridge the gap between life before the loss and what lies ahead. She also provides tips for coping with the holidays and gives suggestions for how friends can help others cope with their grief. For more information please visit: www.secondfirsts.com or www.lifestarters.org.