25 Insights Rarely Shared about Coach Joan Jakel
We live in a world where it’s easy to present the polished version of who we are.
The highlight reel.
The credentials.
The neatly packaged bio.
But that’s not where real connection happens.
So today, I want to extend an invitation to share something a little different.
Not the surface-level version of me…
but the layers.
The contradictions.
The things that have shaped me.
The pieces of who I am that don’t always fit neatly together, but together, make me me.
I’m a Study in Contrasts
I am an interesting combination of extremes.
At different points in my life, that has felt confusing, awkward, even lonely.
But over time, I’ve learned something important:
I am most effective, most grounded, and most in my power when I stop trying to choose between those parts… and instead, integrate them.
I’m an INFJ. A very comfortable introvert who can step into the role of an extrovert when needed.
I’m a warrior. I come alive when I’m facing big challenges and navigating massive change. That’s where I thrive.
And yet… small change? Not my favorite.
I’m a Virgo who loves structure, order, and precision.
And I’m an artist who craves flow, creativity, and freedom.
You can imagine how that plays out.😉
And still, this balance… this tension… this integration… is exactly where my strength lives.
How I Move Through Fear, Energy, and Life
I’ve spent my entire life navigating fear.
Not avoiding it. Not waiting for it to disappear.
But learning how to move forward in spite of it… and sometimes because of it.
At the end of the day, I simply won’t let it stop me.
I’m also an empath, which means I feel everything.
Not just what’s happening around me… but often what’s happening far beyond my immediate world.
When I’m grounded, it allows me to understand people deeply and meet them where they are.
When I’m not prepared for it, it can feel overwhelming.
It’s something I continue to learn how to navigate with intention and care.
And through all of it, meditation has been one of my greatest anchors.
It’s where I go for clarity.
It’s where I go for answers.
It’s where I come back to myself.
I especially love meditating in the presence of nature.
Where I Feel Most Like Myself
There are places and moments where I feel completely aligned.
Running mountain trails is one of them.
I’ve been running trails for over 30 years.
It’s exhilarating, grounding, and meditative all at once.
There’s a moment mid-stride, when both feet are off the ground… and for that second, it feels like everything in life is in sync. Like the world pauses and expands at the same time.
That moment feels like freedom.
I’m also a true night owl.
I love the stillness of late evenings. Walking under the stars. Watching the moon. Listening for owls.
My most creative window is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
That’s when ideas flow. That’s when things come together. That’s when creativity moves from a spark to form.
In my everyday life, I’m drawn to spaces that feel intimate and meaningful.
I’m not a fan of loud, crowded environments.
Give me a cozy coffee shop with my journal, a wine bar, a museum, a jazz performance, or a quiet, deep conversation… and I’m completely at home.
What I Love and Value Deeply
I love great wine, bold coffee, and dark chocolate… preferably with almonds and a touch of sea salt.
I love cooking interesting recipes.
I always have fresh flowers in my home.
And I LOVE sending handwritten cards. Real ones. With unique stamps.
There’s something about slowing down enough to write to someone that feels meaningful to me.
Connection matters deeply in my world.
I’m single, but I am never alone.
I’m surrounded by an extraordinary group of friends, colleagues, and clients who show up for me… and who I show up for in return.
We have each other’s backs. Always.
And I know that not everyone has that.
Which is why I care so much about helping people create meaningful, supportive connections in their own lives.
The Way I Think, Create, and Show Up
The blank slate still scares me.
Whether it’s a canvas or a contract.
There’s always that moment of hesitation before I begin.
But once I start, something shifts. I find my rhythm. I get excited. I lean in.
I’m logical and analytical.
I’m creative and intuitive.
I’m spiritual, with a very healthy dose of what some might call “woo.”
This combo gifts me with the ability to simplify the complexities of life, for myself and others.
My intuition plays a significant role in how I move through the world and how I coach.
When I’m in conversation with someone, I often receive a clear sense of where to go, what to ask, and what matters most in that moment. I’ve learned to trust that. It’s one of the ways I’m able to meet people exactly where they are and help guide them forward with exactly what they need.
One of my superpowers is seeing people’s potential before they see it themselves.
For a long time, I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing. I thought I was simply seeing people for who they were. And I would find myself confused when their actions didn’t match what I so clearly saw in them.
What I’ve come to understand is that I’m seeing who they can become… before they’ve grown into that version of themselves.
Part of my work is helping them close that gap and step into what’s possible.
I’ve learned that I don’t need to separate any of the parts of my skills, gifts and talents.
They work together.
They inform how I think, how I create, how I live and how I guide others.
The Things That Have My Heart
I’m an animal lover.
Every pet I’ve ever had has been rescued.
During COVID, I took on the challenge of rescuing a feral neighborhood cat.
She’s now my co-pilot.
She has traveled with me through 15 states and has ophthalmologist veterinarians in two different states for her glaucoma.
She’s extraordinary.
Meet my co-pilot – Pepper Cat
I also have a deep love for horses and German Shepherds.
Meet Rosie
And one of my biggest dreams is to create something meaningful around that love.
Meet Teddy Bear
What I’m Here to Build
I have a big, hairy, audacious vision.
To create a property where we rescue not just animals… but people.
A place where horses, dogs, cats, and human beings come to heal, create, connect and thrive.
A place that offers:
- immersive experiences
- creative expression
- connection to nature
- support for veterans navigating PTSD
- space to reset, reconnect, and rebuild
A place where transformation isn’t forced… but allowed and encouraged.
That vision lives in me. And I’m committed to bringing it to life.
Meet another true love of my life, Rolo.
Before We Close…
Everything I’ve shared here isn’t just who I am.
It’s how I see the world, how I navigate life, and how I guide others to do the same.
If you’re finding yourself reflecting on your own life as you read this… wondering what’s next, what’s possible, or what you truly want…
That’s the perfect place to begin.
I created a Vision Mapping Guide to help you step back, explore, and start defining what you want your life to look like moving forward.
It’s my gift to you as you explore your own personal vision of life. Click here to access it: Vision Mapping Guide
Finally, I share all of my contact information in the Vision Mapping Guide. Please reach out and share your vision of life and anything that you learned about yourself that you want to share. I want to celebrate you!
Carpe diem!
Joan 💖
I help purpose-driven entrepreneurs upgrade their mindset, eliminate limiting beliefs and reprogram critical, negative self-talk so they can courageously and authentically use their voice, gifts and talents to make a bigger impact.
If you're ready to thrive and develop an unshakeable belief in who you are and what you can achieve, let's talk!
Carpe Diem!
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