Rising Stars: Meet Janine Valentine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janine Valentine.

Hi Janine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I went on vacation with a group of friends in Sept. 2021 to the Maldives and upon taking my PCR COVID test for the return flight, I tested positive. All of my friends flew home without me, leaving me alone on the other side of the planet. The Maldivian government required me to stay and quarantine for 14 days, yet had no clear plan in place for my shelter or care. I had to source my own room to stay in, food, water, and medical care. Very few people spoke English, so there was a major language barrier. It was a conservative Islamic island and I had packed clothing entirely for a boat vacation – so nothing in my suitcase was considered appropriate by the locals for me to wear in public.Most places would not take a credit card, and I had only $38 of useable American cash and no ability to get more. I had to ration my food and water for the first 5 days while my symptoms were bad enough to prevent me from being able to walk.

During those two weeks alone, I learned so much about myself, and about fear, and trust. There was a log on the beach across the street that I sat on most days during the second half of my time there – technically breaking quarantine, but it was an isolated beach. I began calling this my Warrior Bench, and from there I had conversations with the Sea and came to terms with my situation and my ability to learn from it. I journaled the whole time I was there, and when I got home, I wrote a book about the experience called Both Things Are True: A Journey from Fearing Trust to Trusting Fear.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Re-entry back to my life in Colorado was challenging because I had been profoundly changed by my experience. I used to live and die by my lists and planners, and on that island I learned how to be fully present moment by moment, listening to what my body, mind, and spirit needed and responding accordingly – whereas before I’d push through, often ignoring what I needed in order to fulfill other peoples’ expectations. I had a new rhythm to my days and had to learn how to rearrange my life around this new version of me. I also had a lot of physical symptoms from COVID and the long-term stress that remained for several months, requiring my attention and care.

The writing process was therapeutic – and also draining. As I wrote I was reliving all of the emotions and had to take breaks often for self-care. But writing this experience down to share with others was important to me. I knew that while the details of my story were very unique, the concepts of facing our fears and the ways in which fear holds us back from living our fullest lives are universal. What I learned on that island was not just meant for me… it was to be shared so that others could see they are not alone, to normalize fear and create a community around it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
This is my first published book and I am enjoying the whole experience!

The other side of my work life is that I am an entrepreneur. I own and operate a transaction management company, serving Colorado real estate agents. This is what pays my bills, and I am fortunate to truly love the work I do here as well. I have carved out a niche for myself, offering concierge-level services to my clients. Much of my work is detailed and process-driven, yet it is also extremely relational and personal. For buyers and sellers, the purchase or sale of a home also involves facing fears and leaning into trust, so my experience in the Maldives crosses over into all my interactions.

I get the balance of two left- and right-brain businesses now, both of which I am passionate about. I am grateful!

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in Oregon, visiting my maternal grandparents who lived on the coast. My time on that beach over the years is imprinted in me…

I can still feel the bracingly cold water against my shins and feel the freedom of running/tumbling down the giant sand dunes. I remember the wonder of exploring the tide pools filled with sea anemones and starfish during low tide, and the fear and respect for the violent waves with an undertow as storms moved in. I spent hours collecting seashells and agates along the shoreline, and collecting jellyfish that had washed ashore to drop into my dad’s armpits as he dozed on our beach blanket! It is no wonder that I am so connected to the Sea.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.janinevalentine.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/janine.valentine.author
• Facebook: facebook.com/Valentine.Artivism
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/057836705X