Hello! I'm Janel.
In case we haven't met, I think it's fair to warn you that I'm a little bit Mary Poppins, a pinch of Rapunzel, a dash of Hermione Granger, a scoop of Elizabeth Bennett, and a whole lot of Giselle a'la Enchanted. I see the glass half-full, know there's a solution for every problem even if it's not easy, love pineapple on my pizza, and probably need a nap.
I've been called winsome and insightful. Delightful. And without question, "an experience." You have been warned. You're welcome! 😂
Mostly, I see the best in others until they prove me wrong. When they do, Lord have mercy on their soul. Because I won't. I guess that makes me a skosh bit Darcy too. Good opinions once lost and such.
Why does that matter? I've spent almost three decades using my experiences to support women as they learn to survive and redeem the disjointed moments in their life.
- from the client who's discouraged because she can't decide on her next step
- to the new author or fledgling coach feeling insecure about her content or program
- the creators who know what they want to do but can't seem to get out of their own way
- and even the overwhelmed woman praying to make it through end of the week
Many of these women survived the stuff of nightmares with no support or clue what they were fighting. I share my story to inspire, renew, and nurture hope. I know it could help someone identify their own experiences and offer a path forward. Maybe even find redemption for the elusive Happily Ever After we chase but never seemed to catch. If only our painful experiences came with cute shoes instead of scars on our heart... sigh
I transform stories into hope.
My clients call me their fairy godmother. That's because they come to learn what to do with their content and leave with fresh perspective and a plan. It's magical to watch their a-ha! moments unfold before my eyes. They seem to think it's pretty cool too.
As I listen to their heart and take in their vision, we talk about the metaphorical lemons in their life and share recipes for lemonade, patch together what remains of their silver lining and shape it into something usable, then I encourage them to walk towards the end of the tunnel where the light is brighter than their wildest dreams—and there isn't a train in sight.
Practically though, I:
- offer new perspectives for their unique situation
- teach tools and share lessons for changing direction, facilitating transformation, and healing
- help them brainstorm solutions that work, not just sound good on paper or fit some popular formula
- help them organize their chaos into the vision they always had but didn't know how to create
- cheer them on every step of the way
- sprinkle a little fairy dust and nudge them ever so slightly with a bit of bibbidi bobbidi boo
Whether they're writing a book, creating a coaching program or podcast, launching a business, or simply trying to put their life back together, I encourage them to find the hope in their story and then I show them how. When they're ready, we work together to share it with the world.
It took years before I finally uncovered the Golden Thread in everything I've ever done... hope.
- I started a print newsletter when I was 17 to inspire interest in simple health principles.
- I became a naturopathic health consultant in the 1990s. I loved to teach on healing, but instead, saw clients struggle with mindset issues that prevented them from regaining their health.
- With the help of a dear friend, I created an online magazine in 1998 that saw over a quarter-million visitors a year and changed the whole trajectory of my life. The mission? Encouragement.
- I was blogger years before 2008 when everyone else started. I shared practical ideas to make life easier for wives and moms overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
- When I wasn't able to write or edit, I spent my time as a stylist, fashion designer and educator showing women how to make clothing choices that allowed them feel beautiful in their own skin.
- Getting my life coach training and certifications gave me a the courage to go back to what I love with fresh vision and new tools in my pocket.
- I've lost count how many websites I've built and how much content I created that highlights practical solutions, ideas, inspiration, encouragement, and perspective to help others go on.
- Oh. And I can't forget the lessons I learned from a brain injury that sidetracked my life and stole almost every ounce of hope I'd ever shared or collected. Thank goodness I eventually found my hope right where it dropped.
It turns out most of the turmoil in my life was fueled by shame. Others expected me to navigate life "normally" even though I'm neurodiverse. When I couldn't, their disappointment was palpable. A covert abuser capitalized on my insecurities and spent two decades manipulating me before I finally caught on. If that wasn't bad enough, I found myself neck-deep in cult theology, pushed to be the "ideal" Christian, wife, and mother in the most toxic ways ever. At the height of crazy, I sustain a traumatic brain injury that left me changed forever. I'm pretty sure it was Divine Intervention that sustained me until it was finally safe to unpack my experiences.
My life is a cautionary tale. I bring every drop of my experience to the coaching table. But mostly, I offer hope with a heaping dose of clarity. For someone who hasn't experienced that before, it feels magical.
Services & Offerings
Where the Magic Happens
From courses, programs, and resources for both personal and entrepreneurship coaching, I help you connect with your story. I believe in creating simple plans with realistic steps that cut to the heart of the places we struggle and find ourselves stuck—whether it's mentally, spiritually, or physically. I've been there and know how it feels. Whether it's bringing hope to your own heart or sharing lessons learned with others, let's create a bit of bibbidi boddidi boo.
You Are Not Alone
Join me and my daughters, Melinda and Ariana, for honest conversations about writing, life, and redeeming Happily Ever After in the shadow of the stories we never expected to tell. We recount our experiences as a way to help you see yours in a new light. That allows us to nurture hope from ashes, so you can too.
Every episode of our podcast is an adventure into the insights we've picked up along the way. Join us!
Encouraging Women to Live with Passion and Love for Jesus since 1998
Actively published from 1998 until 2009, The Christian Woman's Page has been a beacon of love and light for women seeking hope. As the co-founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief, I worked with hundreds of authors. It was a fulfilling season in my life and blessed so many readers. I plan to relaunch in Fall of 2025 with new vision and a supportive editorial team. Until then, please visit our archives.
Kind Words f r o m Amazing Clients
Janel truly has so many skills and tricks up her sleeve. It was her magic touch that helped turn my ideas, mind maps, and dozens of late-night ideas scribbled sleepily on napkins – what looked like a random mess – into a complete (and organized!) coaching program. The very, very best thing I gained with my experience was a true, real life fairy godmother.
"A dream is a wish your heart makes." My heart dreamed up a way to help patients advocate for their needs, but my vision and messaging were just that... a dream and a wish. I've taken other entrepreneur, business, and writing courses, but they all left my ideas and words hanging out on the computer screen. Working with a true fairy godmother helped transformed my empty words, random ideas, and even my fears, into action.
Janel did a wonderful job editing my book proposal and sample chapters to meet my deadline. She also created a lovely one page, and helped with my website and email list. During our time together, Janel taught me how to be a better writer. I am forever indebted to her expertise. It was a blessing to find her and work with her!
Official Biography
Janel Guevara is a certified life coach with a love of words and a background in naturopathic medicine. With over 25 years of experience as a writer, educator, and the editor-in-chief of her own magazine, Janel loves to see women thrive. She uses a holistic approach with simple plans and realistic steps to empower feminine content creators with the tools and perspective they need to transform their story into hope. Her clients call her a real-life fairy godmother.
Janel lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where the trees are moss covered, waterfalls run free, and the biggest bookstore in the country is a short drive across town. Whether puttering with all things domestic, planning Christmas in July, laughing a little too loud, or hiking through forests that feel like fairy tale scenes come to life, Janel is redeeming happily ever after with the man she loves, countless shades of red lipstick, and an army of garden gnomes.
