A lifelong resident of Northeast Tennessee, Kayla graduated from East Tennessee State University in 2011. She received a bachelor's degree with a major in journalism and a minor in bluegrass, old time, and country music. She also has an associate degree in speech communications from Northeast State Community College. She has worked as a newspaper reporter, page layout designer and a digital video journalist. She has also explored careers in tourism and economic development. She successfully completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2014 with her husband Noah. Together they are now working to build a homestead in Johnson City called Golden Roots Farm. She plans to begin the communications and storytelling graduate program in the Fall of 2022.