Patient Profile: Kat Redner

At Legler Orthodontics, we love meeting and getting to know ALL of our wonderful patients and we are continuously surprised by the intelligence, determination, and talent that walks through our doors. Whether our patients are gaining fame in the Hollywood spotlight, winning medals, or saving lives we feel so incredibly lucky to have contributed on their path to success. A smile gives people confidence, leaves a lasting impression, and most importantly, is the boldest statement you can make without saying a word. After the 25^th Anniversary of Legler Orthodontics, 25 years of creating smiles that are making an impact on this world, we felt it was important to share and feature the stories of some of our most influential patients.  

For our first Patient Profile, we are featuring…

Patient: Kat Redner

Occupation: Jet Girl

Kat Redner 20, was born in Vero Beach, Florida and a Legler Orthodontics patient at age 12. She is currently studying Multiplatform Journalism at the Florida Institute of Technology but, Redner is not the typical college student. She is also learning how to drive a jet dragster at Larsen Motorsports. Yes, we repeat DRIVING A JET DRAGSTER! You know, those fire breathing turbine powered cars that race down a ¼ mile track reaching speeds over 280 mph. Yep, Kat may actually be a real-life Wonder Woman!

When she first started her college career at 18 years old, Kat met Elaine Larsen (current boss) and her entire world was changed. She was inspired by Elaine who is not only an IHRA Jet Dragster World Champion but, a powerful business woman, wonderful mother and wife, and someone that embraces being a female that never backs down from a challenge. Kat immediately applied at Larsen Motorsports and jumped head first into the racing world. At first, she started doing the marketing and social media for The Larsen Motorsports Jet Dragster Team but in November 2016 she was given the opportunity to start racing these crazy jet cars.

     Sitting in part of the shop at Larsen Motorsports where they build the bodies of the jet dragsters, we asked Kat about her “12-year-old self in braces” and the impact it made on her life. Kat giggles, scrunching her nose and says “Well, at 12 years old that is ALWAYS the awkward stage in your life, you’re in middle school and you’re like, I do NOT feel confident in myself. But after I got braces I gained so much confidence once my teeth got straighter and my smile looked better. Now it is my favorite thing about myself!” Kat definitely has a dynamite Legler Smile!

     The best part of our day spent with Kat was talking about her girl power team and the young fans that look up to her. We asked her what it’s like to be in a primarily male dominated sport and the advice she would give to any little girl hoping to achieve their dreams. Kat responded enthusiastically, “When men see me at the track they are like, oh she’s just a girl she doesn’t know what she is doing but once they see you wrenching on the cars and doing the same job as them, they totally start to respect you and appreciate what you do. It’s almost better because I’m underestimated and I get to prove everyone wrong. I would tell little girls with high ambitions and dreams that you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to. Work hard and always pursue your dreams and no one, male or female, can hold you back.”

   We had an incredible experience listening and watching our very own patient display what it’s like to be a Girl Boss! Kat ended our convo with her favorite quote, “You have three choices in life:  you can give up, give in, or give it all you got. And a Jet Girl gives it all she’s got!” It’s all about girl power and Kat is the perfect example of a Legler Smile and we are thrilled to have had the chance to visit her!