Meet our dedicated team members who have gone through similar struggles and can help in your search to heal. Our team is comprised of individuals who understand firsthand the challenges you may be facing and are here to provide support, guidance, and empathy as you navigate your healing journey. With a shared understanding of the difficulties you may encounter, our team is uniquely positioned to offer insights, resources, and personalized assistance tailored to your needs.
Whether you are seeking emotional support, practical advice, or simply a listening ear, our team is ready to walk alongside you every step of the way towards healing and growth.
Kristi McCarty, our CFO and Owner, is a dedicated team member who plays a crucial role in supporting you on your healing journey. With her passion for helping others and her commitment to excellence, Kristi strives to provide the best possible care and support to all individuals seeking healing and wellness. Her leadership and expertise ensure that our team operates smoothly and efficiently, allowing us to focus on what matters most – your well-being. Kristi’s compassionate approach and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to our team, and we are grateful to have her guiding us in our mission to help you heal and thrive.
Our executive director, Cam Balcomb, is a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in helping individuals overcome addiction. With a compassionate and understanding approach, Cam is committed to providing support and guidance to those in need. Whether you are seeking assistance for yourself or a loved one, Cam is here to offer valuable insights and resources to help navigate the challenges of addiction recovery. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance – Cam Balcomb is here to help you take the first step towards a healthier and brighter future.
My fitness journey started back in high school at Jim Ned in 2016 as a student-athlete playing football as a freshman and learning from my coaches in the weight room, and on the field. In my junior year, I developed a passion for the game of football and decided I would work to play at the next level in college. My position was offensive line, and many people know that these individuals tend to be tall and big enough to move another human being. I met this description and went from about 200 pounds in my sophomore year to 300 pounds at the end of my senior year. At this time, I didn’t have much knowledge about nutrition or exercise, just the fact that to get bigger, I needed to eat more food. This worked for me, and I was blessed with the opportunity to play at Missouri Baptist University in Saint Louis, Missouri.
However, they discovered a major injury to my lower back after my freshman year and advised me not to play football again. In that year I had done some research and expanded my knowledge of nutrition and exercise, and at this point had chosen to slim down to 285 pounds to play football. But now, I weigh 285 pounds, have a bad back, and am unable to play the sport I had put so much effort into. There was a period of sadness and downtime in between, but I found myself yearning for the next challenge, which was to lose weight and focus on my
body through exercise, rather than sports. From that time in August 2021 to August 2022 I had lost about 65 pounds putting to use the newfound knowledge I had about nutrition and exercise. Now I have continued my journey at about 205 pounds which became the perfect body weight for myself to continue my passion for weightlifting in the gym and daily life that was once very difficult at times in my older body. Now my passion has become helping other people who may find themselves in similar situations, desiring or needing physical change in their life that leads to mental changes not even imagined, just from getting their body moving. That is why I am here at Shades of Hope to have the ability to serve others in whatever part of their journey they’re in, to share my knowledge to let them take one step forward, one day at a time.
Irma, the client coordinator, is a dedicated team member committed to assisting you in your healing journey. With her unwavering support and compassionate approach, she strives to ensure that you feel heard, valued, and supported throughout your healing process. Irma’s expertise and professionalism make her an invaluable asset in providing you with the care and guidance you need to navigate your journey towards wellness. Whether you are seeking emotional support, guidance, or resources, Irma is there every step of the way to help you achieve your goals and find peace on your path to healing.
