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

Hi Jen, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I talked about this exact concept in my TEDx Talk Spring 2023 on Juggling Career & Passion. (bit.ly/JMottTEDX). The idea that my passion did not have to end as my career grew was a game changer. So, the work/life balance always felt natural and non-existent, in a good way, due to feeling like I was living an integrated life of things I was passionate about … all while getting paid!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career is multi-faceted. I am a full-time educator, part-time college instructor, circus performer, keynote speaker, and author finishing up her first books. It has been a joy to embrace all these different parts of who I am and who I want to be and meet lots of amazing people as a result. I am most proud of not sacrificing one part of myself for another. Everything I truly and genuinely enjoy so I have kept doing it. I got to where I am today professionally by continuing to say YES to all the experiences that come my way. It was easy in the sense of I actually like everything but hard in the sense of taking a lot of my time and having me prioritize everything daily. I have learned that life is worth living and embracing and I want the world to know every person is capable of more than they believe.

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?
Cincinnati!

Coffee shops – Proud Hound, Bow Tie Cafe, Coffee Emporium
See a show at the Aronoff or Music Hall!
Check out the view of Cincinnati from Mt. Adams!
Kenwood Mall shopping
Downtown – check out OTR, murals, and The View at Shires Garden
Drinks – I don’t drink alcohol so think of me when you get cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory or The Cheesecakery or Bonbonerie instead 🙂 Also find Ghost Baby and thank me later.
Classic Cincinnati tastes –> Graeter’s Ice Cream, LaRosa’s Pizza, Skyline Chili
New, hipster Cincinnati tastes are on Vine Street and around Washington Park (a great park to check out, too!)
See a game! Soccer – FC Cincinnati, Baseball – Cincinnati Reds, Football – Cincinnati Bengals

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents are the first ones to earn a shoutout because they have never once doubted me. Working with a diverse group of middle school students on a daily basis, I now know how fortunate I was to have such incredibly talented and kind parents who cheered me on from the beginning. Additionally, over the years of my career I have loved working with mentors and learning from them. I am grateful for their imprint on my life and I truly feel like I am standing on the shoulders of my own teachers and mentors who have lifted me up.

Website: www.DrJenMott.com

Instagram: @j.mott

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mott

Twitter: @jen_mott_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jen.mott/

Youtube: @mottjen

Image Credits
Kylie Barkdoll Photography

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