Using my story and life experiences to help others grow their grit. Motivational speaking for schools, small businesses, large corporations and corporate events. Founder and writer for a weekly newsletter called "Growing Grit".

Motivational Speaker & Writer

Ramsey Solutions

• Led platform strategy for Ramsey Trusted consumer verticals, optimizing lead scoring for high-performing provider matches.
• Collaborated with senior tech leaders to modernize platform architecture, enhancing efficiency and scalability.
• Spearheaded migration from microservices to a domain-driven architecture, improving overall engineer experience.

Platform Product Manager

• Developed customer journeys connecting Dave Ramsey's content with service providers, scaling Ramsey Trusted to largest business unit.
• Led product discovery and iterative experimentation, achieving first $1M revenue month and 8-figure annual revenue.
• Doubled active business verticals by launching new matchmaking solutions based on high-value consumer needs.

Product Manager

• Shaped UX for core consumer products like Financial Peace University Online and Financial Coach Master Training.
• Transitioned into product leadership, owning cross-functional delivery of online learning and coaching tools.
• Co-led creation of Ramsey’s early design systems, improving developer efficiency by 30% and foundational work towards standardizing UX across flagship experiences.

Frontend Developer

Savi Technology

Brought on in a contract role to assist in releasing an entirely new version of their Savi Tracking web-based application. Collaborated with product owners and the development team in an Agile environment. Converted Flash-based user interface screens to modern front-end technologies, using Java, Spring MVC, JPA, HTML5, CSS and AngularJS.

Web Developer

Tempur Sealy International

Managed day-to-day front-end web development needs for Tempur-Pedic’s online presence, tempurpedic.com. Worked with copywriters and designers to implement online content for interactive product landing pages, ongoing and seasonal promotions, and online web forms. Collaborated with a large and diverse team to  design, develop and release an all new and innovated web presence in November 2013.

Web Development Consultant

Helping dads 10x their grit so they can grow it in their kids | Dad of 4 with dwarfism | Motivational Speaker | Software Engineer Turned Product Manager | Overcoming odds | Inspiring the world.

👋 Hi, my name is Kris. 

I am 4’5’’ tall, and was born with dwarfism.

Doctors told my parents I would never make it.

After I survived, doctors then told my mom to place me into an institution because I’d never walk, talk, or live a “normal” life.

As you are figuring out, it didn’t turn out that way.

“Challenge accepted” has been my mantra.

So has a faith in God and His ability to help me through anything.

That has led me to …

→ Recovering from 20+ surgeries all under the age of 20
→ Graduating high school in 2001
→ Going to college
→ Teaching myself how to design, code and media production
→ Starting multiple small businesses
→ Building a career in tech as a developer and now a product manager
→ Getting married
→ Having 4 kids, 2 with dwarfism

Maybe the doctors were right about one thing, after all.

My life is far from “normal”.

And I am 💯 percent here for it.

You might say I have quite the story.

So do you.

That’s why earlier this year I decided to start sharing my story via #linkedin, one-on-one conversations, and public speaking.

Not for my own gain, but to inspire you to face and share your own stories.

Because that’s the first step to building self-confidence and the life you want.

If you like what you’re reading, be sure to follow and even drop me a DM.

Hope this encourages you to push through whatever you are facing right now.

Kris Hammons

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Assistant Professor

University of Oregon Athletic Department

Team Physician - Foot and Ankle

Slocum Center

Orthopaedic Surgeon

SACRED HEART MEDICAL CENTER RIVER BEND

Surgery Dept Chair

I am an Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon specializing in sports related foot and ankle injuries.   I currently work at the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Insititute as an assistant professor in orthopaedics.  I joined Vanderbilt in 2021 after a great experience working in Eugene Oregon at Slocum Orthopaedics.    I've enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues in both collegiate and professional athletics as well as teaching and developing relationship with future leaders in orthopaedic surgery.

My experience includes multiple years of private practice as a shareholder/owner, University of Oregon team physician for foot and ankle injuries, orthopaedic team captain and co-medical director for multiple national level track and field events (including the Olympic Trials in 2016 and 2020).  

I am well versed in all areas of orthopaedic foot and ankle including sports medicine, trauma and reconstruction.  I have covered Level 2 orthopaedic trauma call, served as the Surgery Division Chief for Peacehealth Hospital and served on our practice's Excecutive Committee for 4 years.

Personally, my wife is my rock and biggest cheerleader.  We have 7 kids, a big heart for adoption and finding homes for those without.  We believe our biggest contribution to our kids is teaching them how to be eager learners, a growth mindset and resiliency.  Our family mission statement is founded in Ephesians 2:10. (For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do).

I enjoy reading, working out, shoe trends, good barbeque and bourbon.

taplio

The Battle

Kris Hammons

Nicholas Strasser MD 👟

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