By JediChristensen 

Sat, Feb 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST • 5 min read

Life is like a car on an icy road. It can veer off the well-worn path, even off a cliff, but most of the time, it steers us into paths of unexpected beauty and challenges to define us. “For God has said, ‘I will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.'” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Kate Herbert’s story is a testament to that unscripted adventure — a journey of resilience, reinvention, and vibrant self-discovery on the unknown road ahead.

Key takeaways

• Life takes unpredictable turns: Kate’s journey reminds us that the most meaningful paths are rarely the ones we plan.
• From early challenges to resilient triumph: A childhood enriched by family bonds and the shadow of a life-changing diagnosis set the stage for her growth.
• Adapting amid adversity: The COVID-19 pandemic rerouted her plans, yet Kate transformed setbacks into opportunities for reinvention.
• A tapestry of passion and purpose: Balancing business, studies, and personal joys, Kate lives her life with infectious energy and creative flair.

A simple start

Born on October 2, 2001, in Provo, Utah, Kate Herbert’s earliest days were marked by the steady rhythm of family life split between Provo and Salt Lake. With weekends spent under the warm embrace of her grandparents’ home and weekdays immersed in the hum of a city where her father pursued law at BYU, Kate’s early years were a lesson for balance and connection. “I grew up with sports, family trips, and a love for the simple joys — whether that was a summer at Sundance or winter adventures in Park City,” she said, with a broad smile of nostalgia as she looked into the distance for a moment as if seeing the past playing before her eyes.

What life can throw your way?

In fourth grade, life threw Kate an unexpected twist. An unknown illness caused rapid weight loss.  After several visits, the doctors diagnosed it as Type 1 Diabetes — a moment that changed her young existence forever. “It was the most altering thing to ever happen to me in my ten years of life,” Kate said. Though uncertain, this challenge sparked a deeper connection with her faith. She learned of Jesus Christ and His love during that troubling time, which transformed her pain into purpose, grounding her in believing every trial was an opportunity to grow and be molded in his image.

Pandemic panic; life changes

High school brought its colorful mix of sports, parties, and leadership roles, but nothing could have prepared Kate for the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having to finish classes online, being separated from friends, and not getting to walk for graduation. So, too, were her plans to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints dashed due to being classified as “high risk,” she found herself at a fork in the road, adrift as friends embarked on new journeys across the globe. “I felt lost and unsure of what to do. I was unable to go. I had to reroute with no plan B quickly.” she said with a forlorn stare. But a simple ad for Ensign College was sent to her by her mother, Jana. Within days, Kate was back in a classroom in Salt Lake City — ready to rewrite the narrative the world had given her.

Horizons beyond tomorrow

Kate’s return to school began a new chapter in her life. Kate first explored interior design through a mix of online and in-person classes. Later, she channeled her creativity and business sense into launching Blue Glass – Floral, Events, & Design with her mother. “We created something beautiful together, designing events that celebrate life’s moments, from weddings to birthday parties,” Kate said with a proud, toothy grin. Just as history repeats itself, an unexpected ad from Ensign College encouraged her into the world of communications and digital marketing — a field that, while unplanned, resonated with her dynamic spirit and hunger for growth. “I panicked at first, then laughed at the absurdity of it all — hahahaha — but now I love it,” she said.

The little things of life

Beyond her classrooms and work, Kate’s world bursts with the simple pleasures that define her. A devoted Utah girl with an unwavering love for her family, she revels in the comfort of traditions — the soulful strains of 1990s country music, the crunch of Cool Ranch Doritos, with Swig soda quenching her throat in Utah dry air, or the loyal companionship of her dog, Lucky. Her signature royal blue touches everything from her phone case to her suitcase, a constant reminder of her unique identity in a world that often feels as unpredictable as a twist in her life’s story.

The road ahead

Kate Herbert’s journey is not defined by the end goal in mind only but by a series of unexpected turns — a testament to the power of resilience and the beauty of embracing life’s uncertainties to reach the end goal in mind. Setbacks transformed into steppingstones; her story will continue to inspire us to find strength in vulnerability and to welcome the unscripted moments that ultimately lead us to where we belong.