My story: plot twists, perseverance + pop-culture.

I often joke that my life could be subtitled: "Plot Twist." But the truth is, that's exactly how things have unfolded, in the most literal and sometimes brutal sense.

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At 21, life hit me with its first massive twist when my mum passed away suddenly. She was the centre of my universe, and losing her felt like someone had snatched away the rulebook for life. Before I could even begin to find my footing again, grief became an all-too-familiar companion. I soon found myself attending more funerals than any of my friends combined, as every remaining member of my family's older generation passed away one by one. To top it off, my de facto relationship abruptly imploded, leaving me dazed, confused, and utterly lost.

Enter, the party girl. Out every night, concealing the grief (or at least pushing it away until the lonely late hours, buried into the neck of my golden retriever).

Enter, the party girl. Out every night, concealing the grief (or at least pushing it away until the lonely late hours, buried into the neck of my golden retriever).

 Storytelling became my refuge.

I dove headfirst into psychology, earning my degree and later a Masters in counselling, and amidst this whirlwind of heartbreak and chaos, something started to click. It wasn't dramatic - more like a quiet revelation and a slow burning spark. When an opportunity arose to work at The Coroners Court of Victoria, during the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, I knew that I could help. This horrific tragedy illuminated the path towards healing, in the cellular understanding I had of grief and how that connected me to families in their darkest of hours. It felt like purpose rising from within, whispering a direction forward.

Alongside my therapeutic work, storytelling became my refuge. Therapy is powerful, but storytelling offered me something unique. It allowed me to find clarity, connection, and a sense of universality. Whether writing, podcasting, or simply sharing human stories, I discovered that narratives have an extraordinary ability to transform pain into power. It gives us back a sense of control, when everything else feels like it’s spinning away. Watching guests and listeners light up when their stories resonated made me realise that these stories weren’t just healing for me; they were a lifeline for others too.

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Pop-Culture: The not-so-guilty pleasure

Below Deck is the gift that keeps on giving.

My love for pop culture might seem quirky to some, but it's genuinely integral to my work and life. Reality TV, Bravo shows, podcasts - these aren't just guilty pleasures; they're a way of equalising our human experiences. An escape from the reality of grief and loss and tough jobs. What started as a quiet way to transport me away from my work, has become a niche of human behaviour analysis that links my therapeutic world and entertainment brain in one messy and delicious place. From the Real Housewives who can’t see beyond their own noses, the 24/7 chaos of Below Deck, to the brave new stars of Southern Hospitality – all of it can be used to reflect on our own lives and relationships, in all their glory.

But I have to do most of this around my other side quest… My three beautiful boys. Four, if you include the dog. ;)

Motherhood adds another beautiful, chaotic layer to my story. Being a mum to three boys is joyful, exhausting, noisy, messy, rage-inducing, heart exploding and everything in between. My days are a whirlwind of school runs, client sessions, podcast recordings, scraped knees, demands for food and three voices all talking at the same time. It's the ultimate juggle, and I won't pretend it's always easy. But it's also deeply rewarding, grounding me in what's truly important, and constantly reminding me of my own resilience and capacity for love and growth.

There have been incredible highs - writing books like "Plot Twist" and "Embracing Change," appearing on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, collaborating with amazing guests, and connecting with listeners who share their own twists and turns. But I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge the lows too: days where grief feels raw again, moments of imposter syndrome, and balancing the needs of everyone around me alongside running my own business.

So, am I an expert? Maybe. But I'm also still learning, still growing, still facing plot twists of my own. What I can promise is honesty, empathy, and a relentless curiosity about what makes us human.

Because at the end of the day, life will always throw curveballs - but perhaps the real expertise lies not in dodging them, but in learning how to pivot gracefully and authentically through them.

~ Jana