In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re chatting with our girl Janyne, also known as “J”. She is a force to be reckoned with in the mental health & sneaker space and we are excited to “get to know” her !
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Hey J ! Thank you so much for chatting with us! Let’s hop right on in! I know most of the Kicks & Fros fam knows “Sneaker Vibes Only” but for those who don’t, tell us a little about yourself and where you’re from!
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“Hey! Thanks so much for having me! My name is Janyne, but everyone calls me “J”! I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, so I am truly a “Cali-girl” lol. Professionally, I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC)/Associate Mental Health Therapist, and I currently work with children and adults in the therapeutic setting. I am also a Certified Life Coach and Grief Recovery Specialist, and the owner and founder of Sneaker Vibes Only LLC. Personally, I love collecting & rocking dope kicks, spending quality time with my loved ones, and traveling the world (amongst so many other things). Plus, I really enjoy creating content that combines my love of sneakers, with mental health awareness and advocacy.”
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Talk to us a little a bit about “ Sneaker Vibes Only” and how that came to be ?
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“Although my love for sneakers started when I was younger, the pandemic really forced me to consider creative ways to cope with being so isolated. Around that time, one of my friends actually suggested I start an Instagram page just for my sneakers (because I kept talking about kicks and releases lol), but what they didn’t know was, I had been thinking about creating another page that would be a safe space to empower others (women especially) and share mental health resources. I had a list of at least 10 potential names, and it was so difficult to narrow down, because I wanted the name to be meaningful . I remembered that I was always saying “Positive or Good Vibes Only”, so “Sneaker Vibes Only” seemed to fit the positivity and the sneaker lover in me! “
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Being someone who professionally works in the mental health space, what would you say is the importance of mental health for black and brown women ?
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“Mental health is truly important for black and brown women, because too often they are not given the safe spaces to express how they actually feel or what they are truly struggling with. Black and brown women deserve to thrive in every area of life, including mental health! Growing up, it was so common in black and brown communities to hear, “keep your business to yourself” or “just pray about it”, which meant that so many mental health issues (including traumas) were not addressed, and many times were passed along through generational cycles. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, yet there is often such a negative stigma for seeking help for the mind, but not the body. As we bring more awareness to mental health services and resources for black and brown women, I believe it allows more of them to see that healing is possible, they are not alone, and they do not have to suffer or struggle in silence.Instead, they can gain knowledge on how to obtain the proper tools and develop skills to address their mental health needs, and share that knowledge with others.”
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What are some everyday mental health tips that you can share with us.
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“Even though we each have different needs and preferences, I believe some of the most general ways we can improve our mental health include (not in any particular order): 1. Self-care (e.g., journaling, reading, gardening, exercise, going to the spa, meditation, prayer, watching your favorite TV shows, traveling, doing nothing at all, and for the sneaker lovers, design your own sneaker (like Nike or Vans), etc.); 2. Daily positive self-talk (practice reciting positive affirmations); 3. Go to Therapy (licensed mental health professionals can help you identify goals and appropriate treatment for your needs); 4. Spend time with people who value you and pour into you (the company you keep is key); 5. Stop, Breathe, and Check-In with yourself (ask yourself what you need, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood).”
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What inspired you to create the “ Sneaker Vibes Only self-care journal ?
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“One of my favorite parts of my self-care routine is journaling, because writing everything on paper helps me to process and organize my thoughts in a healthy way. My personal journal contains some of the most vulnerable parts of me including: prayers, hopes, dreams, and fears. So, I wanted to create my own self-care journal, which includes daily check-ins, priority lists, positive phrases related to life and sneakers, and my self-care tips, to give people a safe space to pour back into themselves. Also, if they love sneakers like I do, they could even use it to keep track of all those sneaker releases lol.”
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In what ways have sneakers helped your mental health journey?
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“Sneakers have always allowed me to express my creativity without even speaking. I am such an introverted person (I really am lol), so being a part of the sneaker community has forced me out of my shell and has allowed me to connect with so many dope people, who I may not have met otherwise! When they say that, “sneakers are conversation starters”, it’s so true, and I now love engaging in those conversations daily. Of course, I can’t forget when release day comes, hitting on the sneaker I’ve been wanting, makes me feel like I’ve won the ultimate prize lol. Also, the opposite can be true too, when I get that “Your entry was not selected”, it definitely hurts lol! Overall, sneakers make me feel confident, stylish, and comfortable, which is always good for my mental health!”
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Before you go, we have to ask, what is your grail & why?
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“My grail is the Melody Ehsani “Fearless” Jordan 1 Mid! I want to cry every time I think about missing out on that sneaker lol. I love a sneaker that is versatile. So, after seeing the colorful colorway, I was in love! You also can’t go wrong with a Jordan 1, because it can be dressed up or down. It’s just one of those sneakers that makes me smile.
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Thank you so much for this chat ! I truly appreciate you and the Kicks & Fros fam! I hope that this interview encourages someone to pour into themselves a little more each day!”
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-- Jackie