We recently connected with Amy Joob and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In the summer of 2023, we made a move across the country from Chicago, Illinois to Naples, Florida. We sold and donated 2/3 of our belongings, our guinea pigs, and our home and re-located on the Florida Gulf Coast. We took the risk of a lifetime as both me and my husband are entrepreneurs and own our own businesses. We took the plunge with our high school son and dog and sent our daughter off to college in Colorado. Initially, it was a challenging adjustment but we are thankful to all be in states and places with beautiful views and surroundings and a fresh start after the pandemic, covid, lockdowns, and limited opportunities.

Now that we have lived almost two years in our new states and places we are gaining ground, finding fresh connections, partnering with new friends and clients in life, school, and business and realizing the risk is yielding great rewards. I am coaching women individually and in groups through Arising Women and I am preparing to launch my third book this fall, called Arise from Grief and Flourish Again. God has been faithful to care for me and my family through this time of transition and has given us grace to handle the changes all around. We are discovering this year that former friends and contacts are now merging with our new contacts and we are seeing an even bigger vision unfold for us through Amy Joob Ministries, Amy Joob Coaching, and AV3 Productions. I truly believe the BEST is yet to come!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an award winning author, certified life coach, and empowerment speaker and the President and CEO of Amy Joob Coaching and Amy Joob Ministries. I graduated with honors from Auburn University in Criminal Justice-Youth Services and from Christian Life College in Pastoral Studies and currently serve on the President’s Council at Christian Life College.

I am a former model and endurance athlete. During my 20 year career in the modeling industry, I managed teams of women for Porsche Cars North America and was contracted as a fitness model with Met-Rx Sports Nutrition. My passion is to see women of all ages ARISE and FLOURISH in their God-given identity and calling!

I am currently commissioning pioneers through Arising Women, my online coaching group and individuals through my Arise and Flourish and Arising Author coaching programs. I serve as a spiritual midwife and prayerfully helps birth your ministry, business, non-profit, book, or podcast as you step into your new beginning.

In 2022 I launched Amy Joob Ministries under TFNI (The Fellowship Network International). Since then I launched the NPW’s (National Prayer Warriors) and Prayer Force Ministries as I have a heart to see women come together and pray for families, college students, and our nation. ARISE Retreats, Events, and Conferences are on the horizon as me and my husband Eric are partnering together to spread the Gospel and bring men, women, and young people across America to saving knowledge in Jesus Christ.

Me and Eric have been married for over 25 years and now reside in Naples, Florida after living for decades in Chicagoland. We have two children, Arianna and Ashton, and spend time in Illinois, Minnesota, and Colorado working, ministering, and visiting family. In my spare time, I find solace in walking or driving my scooter to the beach, taking in sunsets with Eric, honing my photography skills, or enjoying coffee with a friend.

You can check out my award-winning books: Model Behavior: Make Your Career Path Your Calling and Unstuck: Step into the New, A 40 Day Prayer Journal. To inquire about ARISE Retreats, Events, or Conferences, or to book me to speak at your next gathering, please reach out at http://www.amyjoob.com.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2020 after the pandemic started in Chicago, my entire industry in modeling and trade shows shut down for 9-12 months. It was sudden and shocking and me and my friends all had to find a new line of work. I had published my first book in 2019, Model Behavior: Make Your Career Path Your Calling, which is a memoir of my modeling career. I envisioned becoming an author and speaker someday and in 2020 I realized this was “someday” and the time to make that transition. Both of our children were at home and they had to go to “zoom school” for a year. Between helping to care for children and animals, I began to write my second book, Unstuck: Step into the New, A 40 Day Prayer Journal, and also launched a podcast called Support Someone Saturday. My husband Eric, who owns AV3 Productions, assisted me as he was running virtual events instead of live events and together we supported men and women who directed non-profits, charities, and ministries in Chicagoland and across the US. I published and launched my second book in 2021, spoke at events around the midwest and in other states, and also began coaching groups of women. I turned 50 that year as I bravely stepped out into a whole new career! The following year I began training to be a coach and launched Amy Joob Ministries. In 2023 I moved to Naples with the family, got certified as a life coach, and launched the National Prayer Warriors. It was an abrupt change in 2020, but I decided to use my Finnish Sisu (guts and determination) which I learned from my upbringing in Esko, Minnesota, and to embrace the transition. Through hard work, grit, and discipline I am now enjoying an exciting, new adventure!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 1995 I moved from my hometown in Minnesota and enrolled in Christian Life College in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. I had already graduated from Auburn University but I was looking to enhance my first degree. Just days after arriving in the Chicago suburbs, I took my road bike out as I was a competitive triathlete (run, bike, swim) at the time. Unfortunately, I was hit by a car and ended up in the ER (Emergency Room). I didn’t break any bones and thankfully my helmet saved me! I did bruise my chest wall and had other scrapes and bruises but I recovered quickly. I continued competing and was a top amateur in triathlons and even qualified twice for US Nationals. However, within two years I was in another car accident, and this time I injured my back and neck. Although, I didn’t realize the extent of the injuries at the time, I was soon in Sports Medicine Physical Therapy and after months of therapy I could not regain the full strength and speed I once had. I was devastated and depressed as much of my identity, then in my late 20’s, was wrapped up in being a top triathlete. I had to pivot and find a new identity. At the time I was managing a teen center at the old Maine North High School in Des Plaines where they filmed the movie, “The Breakfast Club” and also some of Michael Jordan’s Nike Commercials. I knew there was something more for me and I finally decided to take the risk and start over again. I left my job managing the teen center, put my triathlon career on the back burner, and launched into a modeling career. I started in December of 2000 and landed a spot as a model and dancer on a team with Sally’s Beauty Supply and traveled and performed in hair shows across the nation. The following year, I was awarded a big print job with Siemens Nuclear Medicine and had an amazing experience working as Frederic Fekkai’s main hair model at runway shows in Chicago. In 2002 I landed a contract with Porsche Cars North America and went from a Product Specialist to a Team Captain and in 2003 I landed a contract as a Fitness Model and had a 15 year career with Met-Rx Sports Nutrition. I had a successful modeling and acting career (doing print, runway, informal, events, TV, commercials, and trade shows) in Chicago and around the US for 20 years. I am thankful I didn’t throw in the towel and give up on life after my injuries and stalled triathlon career or in the early days trying to break into modeling. I had to dig deep, lean into my faith, listen to others, pivot, and take a risk as I started my professional modeling career at 29 years of age. I am a firm believer in “Faith it ’till you make it!” I believe if you have the vision, and you have a strong faith in God, ALL things are possible!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amyjoob.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjoob1?igsh=cmFwb3VncWl0YjQ3
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AmyJoobAuthor/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/amy-robnik-joob-4466b226
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyhv00G4l8bFgmBK7Y0OA6w/