Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Wagner.
Hi Jenny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story starts with my weight loss journey. At 28 years old, I was morbidly obese and miserable. I began documenting my weight loss journey on Instagram kind of as a personal diary for myself.
My account was private and only my family could see it. But once I realized I could potentially help other regular people like me, I decided to make my page public. I ended up inspiring more people than I ever thought possible.
Over one hundred thousand people watched me lose 100 pounds in one year, naturally. It was an incredible journey and I became extremely passionate about helping other people realize that they can do it too, without any diet fads that society so heavily pushes.
I didn’t go to school for this. I’m not a certified personal trainer or nutritionist. I’m just a regular busy wife, mom, and business owner. In June of 2020, about a year after hitting my weight loss goal, I began having seizures and vision loss. We discovered a very large brain tumor. Four weeks later, I underwent brain surgery to remove it. The surgery was successful and I spent the following year in therapy and recovering, and sharing everything along the way. I am partially blind now but have made a full recovery and am still tumor-free!
Fast forward another year and I would be faced with yet another challenge. When the delta strand of Covid swept through Jacksonville, my very healthy, 33-year-old husband got it and ended up in the hospital with severe double Covid pneumonia. He narrowly escaped being placed on a ventilator. He was stuck in the ER for 5 days before a room finally opened up for him.
He then spent another week in the hospital. I wasn’t allowed to visit him at all, even when we weren’t sure he was going to make it. So, when he finally got moved to a room with a window, I stood outside with a sign every day, just to let him know I was there and attempt to help him smile. Like me, he also made a full recovery. My journey kept evolving and I kept sharing all of it. Through every phase, I was able to connect with people who could relate to my struggles and we were able to help each other through.
From people turning their health around, to brain tumor survivors and everything in between, I have met some incredible people along the way and am so blessed to have the opportunity to help others get through the hard parts of life.
It is my passion and my purpose to help people realize that they are capable of doing hard things and that no matter what gets thrown at them, it can still be a beautiful life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My road has never been smooth *nervously laughs* But we get through, right?
Infertility, weight struggles, unexpected life-saving surgery for my daughter when she was 2, cancer scares, losing my ability to feel emotions for half a year after brain surgery, almost losing the love of my life… all just parts of my story that have led me to where I am now.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Prior to losing most of my vision, I was a silversmith with my own local small business called Salted By Jen. I specialized in custom personalized jewelry. I participated in local shows all around the Jacksonville area for the last 5 years and was even featured in magazines and subscription boxes!
Sadly, I’m unable to see well enough to do the intricate hand-making process silversmithing requires and have had to put that business on hold. I miss it… A LOT… but it has allowed me to shift my focus to what I do now! I am officially a full-time influencer, which is actually comical because I used to shudder at that word. Social media gets a bad rap, and there are definitely some awful things that happen there, but it can also be a place of hope and inspiration for people.
I never thought I’d be one of “those” people over sharing their entire life online, but here we are! Getting to inspire and help others in my own way is incredibly rewarding. There is so much good left in this world and I’m just trying to be a small part of it.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My Instagram page is the best way To get a front-row seat to this ridiculously entertaining journey, but for anyone wanting to collaborate or work together, my website is a great place to learn more about me and also where you can connect with me! My Instagram: @_jens_journey_. My website: www.jensjourney.net.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jensjourney.net
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/_jens_journey_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jensjourney10/
