Fashion Journalist-Turned-Designer JJ Martin on Perseverance, Balancing Ambition with Surrender, and Embracing your “Light Signature”

In this episode of The Imaginals podcast, host Ashley Wick interviews JJ Martin, founder of La Double J,  the mood-boosting, vibration-raising fashion and homewares brand inspired by the ebullient Italian lifestyle.JJ shares her journey of transformation and spiritual awakening, sparked by a move to Italy for love, a career reinvention, and a challenging fertility journey. They discuss the pitfalls of navigating the image-conscious fashion industry and how the Italian way of living helped her to see what was holding her back from experiencing more creativity, freedom, and joy. JJ reflects on her journey from overlooked ( and overworked! ) fashion editor to empowered leader, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. They talk about how judgment hardens us and the transformative nature of generosity that can break our armored hearts wide open. JJ recounts her story of discovering the divine feminine, balancing ambition with surrender, and committing to practices that raise the collective vibration. In a powerful teaching moment, JJ emphasizes the significance of finding one’s individual light signature and using it to serve others.  The conversation concludes with JJ’s insights on integrating spirituality into business and news of her latest launch - La Double J’s Sisterhood. Chapters:02:48 Sponsor Message: Plant Gem03:34 Welcoming J.J. Martin to The Imaginals03:40 Fashion Industry Insights and Personal Style06:04 The Evolution of Fashion Critique07:48 Cultural Differences and Personal Growth16:57 The Italian Lifestyle and Its Impact19:13 Embracing Stillness and Spiritual Practices20:53 The Journey of Letting Go25:15 The Power of Individual Light Signature26:18 The Importance of Humility and Service28:46 Embracing Microscopic Power and Unity Consciousness32:12 Finding Your Currency of Abundance32:27 Starting from the Bottom: A Journey in Journalism37:05 Breaking the Armored Heart: A Lesson in Kindness40:16 The Power of Relaxation and Conscious Response44:27 Integrating Spirituality into Business52:08 The Sisterhood: A New ChapterGuest Links: La Double J: https://www.ladoublej.comLa Double J Sisterhood: https://www.ladoublej.com/en/sisterhood-academy Mama Milano book: https://www.ladoublej.com/en/homeware/home-decor/books/ La Double J Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladoublej JJ Martin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjmartinmilanTonglen Meditation with Pema Chödrön: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x95ltQP8qQAshley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary JobeThis podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code  IMAGINE.