[TMD Presents] The Heart of It All: Chris Kim

Chris Kim

The Man Defined: Tell us about yourself

Chis Kim: I was born and raised in Brookfield, WI, and currently, I reside in Stamford, CT. I attended Boston College (undergraduate degree) and Emerson College (graduate degree). My mantra in life is to treat each day with a sense of humor.  Amidst the craziness that life propels towards us, my fundamental goal is to be the best, buoyant version of myself.  I have a beautiful wife who I met during my time at Boston College and an adorable daughter (who I met in my wife’s womb).  I have a cat as well, but he recently tore up the left side of my living couch, so he will not be accredited in this article.

TMD: What do you do?


CK: I am a marketing director of production at A+E Networks.  We create content that is consumed in all existing platforms today (ie TV, social, digital, etc). I love storytelling, and A+E Networks is in the business of storytelling.

TMD: How have you been impacted by heart disease?

CK:  My uncle died of a heart attack when I was a child. Although I did not know him well, the experience left me with many unresolved questions.

TMD: How’d you get involved with the American Heart Association?

CK: 
My good friend and cardiologist (Reva Balakrishnan) asked me to join her active partnership with the AHA to create awareness about high blood pressure (hypertension).  Can we create broader awareness about this issue and convince the public to take more invested steps in regulating their target BP?  Yes, we can!  I want to make a contribution, no matter how small.  Every little step counts.

TMD: What do you do with the AHA?

CK: I have been partnering with the AHA over the past few months on initiatives to drive awareness to the risks of high blood pressure. Their motto, “Life is Why” resonates so powerfully in my life.  One of the association’s core tenets is to sustain and further life, not prevent it.  We should all be behind this mission! 

TMD: Do you live a “healthy heart lifestyle”? 

CK: Because I am a father to a young girl and now my wife and I are having a newborn baby boy, I am more conscious of living a more healthy lifestyle.  Now, I won’t lie – I have fallen prey to “unhealthy habits” (cue juicy bacon burger with a side of fries)…hopefully I won’t succumb to such indulgences anymore.  My life is no longer just about me.  It is about my family. 

TMD: Any last tips on how others can prevent heart disease and/or lead a 
healthy heart life?

CK:  Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and watch standup comedy.