We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Brittany Burns. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Brittany, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about alignment. I start with prayer and gratitude—acknowledging God for breath, clarity, and direction. Before I touch my phone or emails, I give myself space to set the tone spiritually and mentally. From there, I move into movement—whether it’s stretching, a quick workout, or just walking through my home with intention. I hydrate, fuel my body with something clean, and then I turn my attention to creation: journaling ideas, sketching out content, or adding notes to my research. By the time I officially sit down at my desk, I’ve already tended to my spirit, body, and mind, so I can show up as my full self for my students, my clients, and my community.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Brittany Burns—professor, researcher, entrepreneur, and unapologetic visionary. My work sits at the intersection of justice, wellness, and career clarity. Through my company, Zoe Life Naturalz LLC, I help justice-involved individuals and professionals alike step into alignment—whether that’s through career coaching, résumé transformations, or holistic wellness practices that restore balance.
What makes my story unique is that I’ve lived both the frontlines and the academy. I started my career as a probation officer and interstate compact coordinator, seeing firsthand the cracks in our system. That experience fuels my research on reentry and my mission to bridge the gap between scholarship and real-world impact.
Right now, I’m building a platform that blends professional empowerment with holistic tools—because success isn’t just about landing the job, it’s about sustaining your health, clarity, and peace while you grow. My brand is bold, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in helping people reclaim their agency, whether they’re navigating reentry, corporate life, or entrepreneurship.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the most defining moments for me was early in my career as a probation officer. I remember sitting across from a young man who had all the potential in the world but was already carrying the weight of a system that wasn’t built for him to win. It hit me that it wasn’t just about supervising cases or enforcing conditions—it was about whether someone had access to opportunity, dignity, and support. That moment shifted how I see everything. I realized my purpose wasn’t just to “work in the system,” but to become a bridge—between research and practice, policy and people, punishment and possibility. It’s why I pursue reentry work and why my brand is rooted in alignment and agency. It taught me that real change happens when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with them?” and start asking, “What happened to them—and how do we build better pathways forward?”
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her, “You don’t have to carry it all to prove you’re worthy.” For so long I thought strength meant silence, perfection, or pushing through without pause. Now I know strength also looks like rest, asking for help, and trusting that alignment will take you further than hustle ever could. I’d remind her that her voice matters, her softness is not a weakness, and every detour is still leading her exactly where she’s meant to be.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Integrity. For me, integrity isn’t just about being honest—it’s about alignment. It’s making sure that who I am privately, publicly, and professionally match. Coming from the justice field and now moving in spaces of research, teaching, and entrepreneurship, I’ve seen how easy it is for people to compromise their values for approval, money, or power. I refuse. Integrity means I show up the same in the classroom, in community work, and in my brand—rooted in purpose, honoring my faith, and committed to creating impact without losing myself. That’s the value I protect at all costs, because without integrity, everything else eventually crumbles.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was a bridge. That I used my voice, my research, and my platforms to create pathways where there were once barriers. That I stood firm in my faith, led with integrity, and refused to shrink so others could rise. I want people to remember that I didn’t just talk about change—I built it, whether through my teaching, my reentry work, or the way I poured into my community. Most of all, I hope the story told is that I lived fully, loved deeply, and left people better than I found them. That’s the kind of legacy that outlives titles and positions—it’s impact woven into lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zoelifenaturalz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe_life_naturalz?igsh=ZXEwaGpna3B0c3h3
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittanydawnburns?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ay3fSZSEw/
