Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian JJ Simmons.
Jillian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been a Radio/TV personality for 20 + years. Finally hung up my headphones last year to live fully in my purpose. Throughout the years, my personal experiences have birthed two books Without Bruises, my journey to healing from emotional abuse and Respect My Crown, an affirmation journal to manifest your vision. I’m a single mom of an amazing 11-year-old daughter who was the reason why I started JJ’s I’m Me Foundation. I want nothing more than to be the ultimate role model and leave behind a legacy of giving.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has never been smooth in any area of my life but it’s the trials that build character and resilience! My biggest struggle has been absorbing the thoughts of others. In Radio and TV, we have to worry about what people think. It’s about ratings, so how a person views us MATTERS. Daily, we ask questions – Did they like this? Did they think I was funny? If I wear this, what will people say? I realized those questions poured over into my everyday life. Hearing other people’s thoughts of me started to wear me thin. In relationships, hear guys tell me that I wasn’t good enough, no one would ever want me, I’m not smart enough, I’m broken, etc. really broke me down. I had to realize that my self-esteem was shot. Luckily, that is fixable! Through therapy and self-awareness, I realized my self-worth, my value and my purpose. We are in day-in-age where Instagram is now heavily influencing EVERYONE. We are constantly comparing ourselves to every person on our timeline and sometimes, we are doing it subconsciously. My advice to women. FIND YOU AND LOVE THE HELL OUT OF YOU! Put in the work to get to know who you really are, your strengths, your weaknesses, your likes, your dislikes, your standards, your beliefs, your morals, your values and then love it all, good or bad.
Please tell us about Respect My Crown/JJ’s I’m Me Foundation.
While I am most known for being a Radio/TV personality, I run a non-profit organization called JJ’s I’m Me Foundation where we tour middle and high schools with our 8-week program to empower young ladies to be the best version of themselves. Our program includes healthy cooking workshops, robotics, goal setting, fitness, mental health sessions and more.
“Respect My Crown” is a support system that encourages women to deepen in the areas of their interest and increase the quality of their lives. I’ve created a curriculum developed from my own experience seeking professional satisfaction, personal happiness, and physical and mental health despite experiencing significant losses and challenges. The Respect My Crown Movement is a rich resource for women to achieve the lives they want no matter what they have been through.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
We are well positioned for any opportunity. It couldn’t be a better time to take on more leadership roles! We need to demand these positions because we work our butts off!
Pricing:
- Respect My Crown: A 30-Day Affirmation Journal to Manifest Your Vision – $20
- Without Bruises: A Journey to Hope, Help, and Healing -$20
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JJONTHEMIC.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/jjonthemic
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/jjonthemicfans
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jjonthemic
- Other: http://instagram.com/RespectMyCrownOfficial
Image Credit:
Jillian Simmons
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