Jane Do: What are 3 words you would use to describe yourself?
Joanne: Creative, Committed, Compassionate and I'll give you a bonus one: Curious
Jane Do: When you aren't crushing it in class, what's something we can find you DOing?
Joanne: When I'm not working out, you’ll find me immersed in my jewelry business. It's a one-woman show, so I juggle everything from crafting and designing new pieces at my bench to handling the not-so-glamorous side of things like finances, marketing, and admin. You’ll also find me either traveling and exploring as much of this country and world as I can cuddling with our three rescue cats.
Joanne: This might sound unexpected, but I’m incredibly proud of giving up alcohol seven years ago. It was a turning point that transformed my life. I went from being a passive observer to actively taking charge and discovering the true me that had been hidden behind alcohol. This journey led me to amazing experiences, like summiting Mount Kilimanjaro last year with a fantastic team of strangers (now family) and guides and porters. It gave me the confidence to take on new challenges. Now, I’m gearing up for the NYC Marathon in November—something I never thought I’d do since I’m not a runner. But I’ve learned that I thrive on challenges, especially when they support a great cause. I’m raising funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and it feels like the perfect way to push myself for something meaningful.
Jane Do:What's something you hope to DO more of this year?
Joanne: As I approach the final year of my 40s, I’m excited to dive into new challenges (I’ve got a few ideas brewing - scuba diving might well be one of them!), travel more, and ramp up my fundraising efforts for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and I’d like to go back to Tanzania to explore an opportunity with a social enterprise. It’s going to be a year of growth and adventure, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!