Name: Cat Kozuch
Facebook: @believeabuddy
Instagram: @believeabuddy
Website: www.believeabuddy.com
Age: 34
Title: Founder and Creator of Believe a Buddy
Married/Single: Single
Kids: None
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes… A morning meditation, a long hot shower, work then come home change into yoga pants go to Pilates or do some form of workout, eat a delicious healthy meal and finish the evening with a sunset stroll. I rarely miss a sunset, it’s what I look forward to every night and it gives me a moment of peace to reflect on the days interactions and time to reflect on what I am grateful for. Before bed I will read a couple pages of a thought-provoking book, say my prayers and pass out in my incredibly cozy bed!
I was born… in Adelaide, South Australia
My favorite thing about Arizona…the stunning landscapes filled with cacti and endless mountain views! I love that Sedona is only a 2-hour drive from my house and I enjoy road tripping there at least once a month to recharge and ground myself at my favorite spot Buddha Beach!
I’m listening to… Somedays I get paranoid that someone will yank my headphones out and judge my questionable music choices… I will go from listening to Odesza to Spice Girls to Jack Johnson to Trick Daddy to Mariah Carey to Van Morrison to Bob Marley to Britney Spears to Tupac…just depends on my mood!
My family…is all over the world! My parents were born in Poland, so most of my family lives there. I was born in Australia, so I have some family there, and currently my closest family members including my mom, dad and sister live in the USA.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… A round table family style dinner with Jordan Peterson, Albert Einstein, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Joe Roegan, Jason Mamoa, Sadhguru, Warren Buffet and Andrew Tate…
One thing I cannot live without…My family!
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a reporter because I was always curious about people’s lives, and I enjoyed learning about other people’s experiences.
I’m inspired by…people who have endured hardships yet continue to live life with optimism and hope. People who are vulnerable and brave enough to expose their true selves to the world unapologetically without concerning themselves with the opinions of others.
The person/people who motivate(s) me is/are… The person I was yesterday! If I can keep growing to be the best version of myself through all the life lessons that come my way that is enough motivation to keep me evolving into the best human I can be.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… replace hate and lead with empathy. If every individual truly loved and cared for another, the world would be a beautiful place. I would love to live in a world where emotional/physical well-being is prioritized, and kindness and generosity are the norm!
The perfect day would be… Wake up in a beautiful beach house with my dream man, do some yoga, jump in the ocean, get a massage on the beach, drink some coconuts and just relax while reading an inspirational book. Ending the day watching a beautiful sunset while eating tacos and listening to good music! It’s the simple things in life the drive me!
My first job was…I wanted to work so badly I lied about my age and got a job at Fuddruckers when I was 15!
My favorite escape… THE BEACH! Preferably a tropical beach with calm turquoise waters, plenty of coconuts and access to an amazing spa!
My life…would make one heck of movie!
I’m currently working on…setting up a non-profit organization for Believe a Buddy to raise funds for children with medical disabilities, as well as parents facing financial constraints, by providing them with Believe a Buddy teddy bears!
Always…be yourself. Authenticity will always lead you to your highest path and align you with the right people. Always be grateful for everything you have!
Never…let someone else’s opinion stop you from doing what feels right for you!
Favorite Quote… “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius, I read this quote in a physical therapy office when I was learning how to walk again after being paralyzed and it stuck with me forever… I may walk slow but I have come so far!
Biggest Dream… to find a cure for spinal cord injury so I can run again and help others do the same. AND to get the Believe a Buddy children’s book published by a top publisher!
My Pet Peeve(s)… people who chew with their mouths open, people who interrupt me/others when they are in the middle of talking, saying you’re going to do something but then don’t, people who play the victim and don’t take responsibility for their own life.
Bio-on yourself/company: Introducing Cat Kozuch, the founder of Believe a Buddy, whose life story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the face of adversity.
Cat, an Adelaide-born Arizona immigrant and motivational survivor, defied the odds after a life-altering dune buggy accident in 2008, leaving her initially paralyzed. Cat broke her back in 2 places, and after an emergency surgery, doctors delivered the crushing news that she would never walk again.
Instead of believing in her daunting diagnosis, Cat wrote an affirmation on her hospital whiteboard that stated, “Cat will walk out of here!…duh!”. After weeks of speaking her affirmation out loud, Cat was frustrated and started yelling at her big toe, “BIG TOE MOVE, BIG TOE MOVE, BIG TOE MOVE” and right before her eyes, a miracle happened, her big toe moved the tiniest bit! After hundreds of hours of physical therapy, three months later, Cat walked out of the hospital.
During her three-month hospital stay, her father was traveling for work, and every time he came back to visit her, he brought her a new teddy bear. The collection of teddy bears were pinned around the whiteboard affirmation. Cat’s inspirational affirmation with the blend of cute teddy bears from her father led to the creation of Believe a Buddy.
Believe a Buddy is an interactive, powerful affirmation bear that helps children believe in themselves. The magical Believe a Buddy gives children the power to change their negative thinking patterns and replace them with positive thinking patterns. Believe a buddy assists daily in a new belief system reaffirming positivity and mindfulness back into a child’s life. Most importantly, Believe a Buddy helps build and boost self-confidence.
Believe a Buddy was born from Cat’s desire to share her story of triumph and inspire kids facing their own challenges. Through the power of affirmations and the comforting companionship of teddy bears, Believe a Buddy helps kids believe in themselves.
Cat Kozuch’s life is a shining example of the human spirit’s resilience and the transformative power of belief. Her journey from paralysis to walking again serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us all that with unwavering determination and a positive mindset, anything is possible. Through Believe a Buddy, Cat continues to touch lives, spreading her message of hope and inspiring others to believe in their own miracles.
