Jo tells me about her first job in Paris, France and how much she loved it, how passionate she is about fashion, having a nanny growing up in Toronto, how to get past being suicidal, and her new and amazing clothing line. When returning from Paris, Jo was disabled for 3 years with a serious back disability. (lost feeling in her leg for a while and still have a 'dead spot') In that time she was in chronic pain in bed for 3 years and had 2 surgeries and a number of treatments to help with pain management. That period was her hermetic period...a time of great contemplation and it was also the first-ever so slight spiritual experience that had me reexamining consciousness and beingness. She was very depressed but sought a way through to try and find happiness even if it meant being forever disabled and in pain, which is what she was largely told to expect from doctors. She started writing steamy romances because that was all she could read while in pain to avoid nightmares. And I was laughing so hard I eventually healed just from that...and some great physio! But laughter played a key part too. She learned a lot about herself and others in that time. Mostly about strengths and the weaknesses of others to find compassion or understanding or patience.  Eventually, that writing became creating children's books and illustrations and it is one of her businesses now. She has won international major awards of artistic excellence (Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award). Jo's work celebrates diversity.

ihaveatheorypodcast.com facebook.com/ihaveatheorypodcast instagram.com/ihaveatheorypodcast twitter.com/joblakely42 cohereandthere.com (fashion) facebook.com/cohereandthere instagram.com/cohereandthere twitter.com/cohereandthere Children's Illustration littlejolit.com Art joblakely.com

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