Pursuit 365 Day 214: Jo-Anne Weiler

Jo-Anne Weiler, M.A.(Psych), C.P.C.C., R.C.C., R.M.F.T. is registered in 3 professional associations in Canada and 1 in the U.S. She has a private therapy & coaching practice where she sees individuals and couples. She is a mother of two adult children (one a lawyer and the other a CPA). She also has a fitness background and ran a women’s fitness program called the Mom & Me Network for 25 years. She has appeared on CBC, CTV, and in a number of newspaper articles. She writes a blog at joanneweiler.com and facilitates group workshops in Canada and the U.S. In her spare time, Jo-Anne plays competitive tennis, enjoys running and has completed 4 marathons.

If you could give your past self some advice, what would you tell yourself?

Take the time to appreciate the simplicity of just being who you are. You are here for one purpose, and that is to spark JOY. Harness your inner drive and get ready for life’s amazing adventure. Trust yourself to do things based on your inner compass. Take time to sit back and choose rather than react. Listen to your own heart. Take time to map out your magic and know that you’ve got this.

Do you have a mantra or phrase you live by? What is it?

“It’s All Good”. I believe that everything that happens is by Devine design. We can’t always see what is truly beautiful immediately. With time to reflect, everything makes sense 100 percent. Sometimes we are changing the course for a family, healing generations past, and sometimes we are simply carrying a torch for good. With gratitude comes flow, and with flow, everything is possible. I have to admit that my awareness of body, mind, and spirit growth has evolved through two professional careers. Growth happened in fitness while working for the YMCA. Growth in mind while working as a Registered Clinical Counselor and Registered Marriage & Family Therapist. An ever-increasing awareness of spirit happened through nature and symbols. When I’ve had tough challenges in life, the butterfly often shows up to remind me of metamorphosis… things are changing, trust all is well. Anyhow, the mantra “All is Good” has been with me my whole life.

What is your number one business goal this year?

I love working with groups; this is my year to move my practice with individuals to working entirely with groups. I am at a stage of life when Adventure needs are at my core. I’d like to combine all the wisdom of my 25 years of psychology and fitness and take groups on amazing destination retreats around the world. When couples or individuals are away from the business of everyday life, and into the immersive and expansive experience of other worlds, cultures, and experiences, new broad ways of living and being are illuminated. It’s exciting witnessing clients discover themselves and each other all over again. Trust me; there are many new ways to design your work and life. In the group process, there is an energy and vibrancy that deepens and expands what is possible.

What is your number one priority when it comes to your career and daily work?

This year, I prioritize feeling energized and inspired at the end of every day. I love what I do, and for me, it is important that my work doesn’t feel like a job. I try to integrate the body, the mind and the spirit needs in every session. I want every client to feel like their day is just a little (or a whole lot) better when they leave than how they felt when they arrived. This is your life, and every year should count! Remember when we were children how we would bounce out of bed with expectation and excitement for something new to anticipate? That’s what I want to feel every day. This is what I want you to feel every day too!

What is my favourite thing about what I do in my career?

I’m in the LOVE business… what could be better than that? It’s a privilege to work with clients. I love watching the lights turn on for couples, individuals, and families.

What motivates me?

I’m an extrovert. I love people. I love working with my clients. I also love my time out playing tennis or going for a run. Exercise energizes me. People energize me. Having a vision and a plan exhilarates me. I am a goal-oriented person by nature. I’ve run four marathons. I play on Inter-City Tennis teams and have adult children I adore. My children know I will drop everything for time with them. I love my husband Joe and our time together… but I’ve got to admit, there is nothing like an early morning tennis hit with my daughter Ashley or a tennis adventure with my son Justin!

What motivates me on a daily basis? That is a tough question because it may change from season to season. It might be the garden and seeing some new colours bursting outside in the summer. In the winter, it’s the sounds of snow falling. In the spring, it might be the anticipation of going for a run in the local trails and getting mucky and soaked. In the fall, it’s the leaves and all the colours they turn. Nature is miraculous in all its changes. So are we all.