Meet Ann Jones | Author & Communications Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ann Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ann, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has been a big part of my life, shaping not only my personal growth but also my professional achievements. As a woman who has gone through the challenges of leaving an abusive marriage to reclaiming who I was made to be, taking risks has been at the cornerstone of my healing and transformation.

Leaving an abusive marriage meant I had to step into the unknown, facing financial and emotional uncertainties, but it also marked the beginning of a journey toward safety, self-worth, and independence. The risk of staying was outweighed by the need for a life free from fear and abuse for my children and I. I had a change to reinvent myself.

After several years of trying to get back on my feet I decided to return to go back to school to get master’s degree, in a field that was far different than that of my bachelors. This meant taking another risk, that not only involved a financial investment, time management, and balancing family life, work, and schoo.l. However, it was this risk that empowered me with knowledge, credibility, and the confidence to pivot my career.

Writing a book to help other women find resilience and personal growth after hard days was both a creative and emotional risk. Sharing my story meant exposing my vulnerabilities and reliving painful memories. Yet, it was a risk worth taking to foster hope to women in similar situations. Knowing that I would be empowering women to become stronger than before far outweighed the fear of judgement or failure. I wrote what I needed all those years ago.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I am a Communications Director in the fluid conveyance industry as well as a newly published author.

One of the things that sets me apart is my relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth. One of my professors once said, “when you stop learning you stop growing”. I use this motto everyday in my life. Writing my book, “Stronger Than Before: Finding Resilience and Personal Growth in Your Hardest Days,” is one of my proudest achievements. This book not only follows my journey of overcoming adversity but also serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for others. It’s a deeply personal project that has given me a platform to connect with women who are facing their own battles, providing them with tools and inspiration to find their strength and rebuild their lives.

Getting to where I am today was far from easy. The transition from being a stay-at-home mom to a professional in a demanding industry was filled with challenges. I had to balancing family responsibilities while pursuing a masters degree and career opportunities, doing this all at once required dedication and resilience. I had moments of self-doubt and exhaustion, but I overcame these challenges by staying focused on my goals and surrounding myself with a supportive network of family, friends, and mentors.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are invaluable. I learned the importance of believing in myself, even in the face of adversity. Resilience is not just about bouncing back but growing through the challenges. I also learned that it’s okay to ask for help and lean on others for support.

What I want the world to know about me is that I my story is one of transformation. Transitioning from a stay-at-home-mom to a published author and a Communications Director took, determination and a willingness to take risk.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here is a two day itinerary I wrote on my blog:

Day 1: Morning:We didn’t wake up too early. We had a late flight the night before so we slept in and took our time getting ready.
Afternoon:After exploring and driving around downtown Denver, we had a late lunch at the cutest spot with an outdoor patio and fabulous menu, Happy Camper. They have fire pits to sit around, lawn chairs that reminded me of camping with my Gran, long wooden benches and tables, and disco balls. We ordered the Tony Pizza and the Hummus Plate leaving me with a desire to return to try more of their menu.

After lunch, we made our way to Morrison to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, one of the most iconic concert venues in the world. While we didn’t see a live performance, the view of the amphitheater against the Colorado sky was a sight to behold.

Evening: We went back to the hotel, Gaylord Rockies, for dinner, s’mores, and live music on the lawn watching the sunset.

Day 2: Morning:This was an early morning wake-up, 6 a.m. We left the hotel before 7 a.m. so we could get to the gate of Rocky Mountain National Park before 9 a.m. You don’t have to have a timed entry pass if you get there before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. It was $30/vehicle for admission to the park. Remember to take snacks and water with you. Don’t worry if you forget (like I did) Estes Park is a great place to stop to fuel up on gas and snacks. We started out with a drive to the top of Trail Ridge Road, stopping several times along the way to take in the breathtaking views and scenery. It took us about 1.5 hours to drive to the top, once at the top we walked to the peak, which is 12,005 feet above sea level. Instead of coming back down the way we came, we drove towards Grand Lake, which is the cutest and quaintest little town. In Grand Lake, we found Adams Falls which was absolutely beautiful and an easy hike.

Afternoon:After stopping by Grand Lake’s Mountain Market for more snacks we drove to Winter Park, having another small late lunch on the outdoor sidewalk patio at Deno’s Mountain Bistro. We had filled up on meats, cheeses, and breads from Mountain Market so we just had soup and appetizers which were more than filling, delicious, and full of flavor. As we descended back down the mountains, we saw cars pulled over on the side of the road, what we thought was them looking at beautiful scenery was actually two moose on the edge of a small body of water. This was the ideal ending to a perfect day in the mountains.

Evening:We made it back to the hotel in time to get in the hot tub and relax our muscles before watching the sunset on the lawn and a late dinner at Monte Jade, Gaylord Rockies Asian-inspired restaurant. No complaints here on the wide array of food we sampled, Beef Lo-Mein, Edamame, Veggie Spring Rolls, Bronco Roll, and Tuna Tataki.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, all the glory goes to God. My journey, with all its highs and lows, would have been impossible without His guidance and grace.

My children deserves so much credit. This chapter of our life was difficult we all went through so much but it brought us to the other side stronger than ever before. When parenting was hard because I was trying to heal and parent at the same time, they were patient with me. My children were my “why” everyday, they were the reason I got out of bed every morning. I wanted to show them that no matter what tries to bring you down and stand in your way, don’t let it. Stand up for yourself and do all the things your heart dreams of and do not let anyone tear you down, your are enough and you are worthy.

Website: https://Www.annjoneswrites.com

Instagram: @annjoneswrites

Other: Ann Jones is my pen name, I use this name for all media purposes, especially when talking about my book.