Today we’d like to introduce you to Coach Jonna.
Hi Coach, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When my journey REALLY started, was 2008 and caring for my grandmother part-time while she fought through cancer in the small town of Lebanon, Tennessee. I had just had my son, Thomas Jr. broke and wasn’t in the most stable of a relationship. Yes, I was at a low point in my life but it was truly a Blessing in disguise and I had a strong faith in this path I was being led on.
While my grandmother, Mamie Lou Crutchfield, was going through the stages of treatments, I strived each day I spent with her to make her as comfortable and entertained as possible, She was a fan of Tyra Bank’s America’s Top Model and we would watch episodes together most of the day, laughing, critiquing and snacking most of the day, while I assisted in managing the family construction company. She would look at me often and say, “You could compete on this show, Lita Lou (her personal nickname for me), and I would laugh and say, “Nah, gotta be in NY or LA for that Grandma, I ain’t leaving TN”. A few weeks later, I was depositing the company’s checks at the local bank and noticed a flyer for a modeling competition, took a look closer and it was Tennessee’s Top Model competition being held in Cookville, TN. I took the flyer home to show my grandmother more as a conversation and coincidence type of chat since ANTM was our show. She looked at me with seriousness in her face as I laughed about the flyer and said, “You can win that, Lita Lou”. Knowing she was serious, I straightened up and explained that you have to have prior runway training (I did not), You have to be under the age of 18 (I was 22), You must have no children (I had a seven months old son) and you must be a minimal of 5’9″ barefoot (I’m 5’5″ on a confident day). She said, “Well, if you’ve up already of course you won’t win, but you CAN win this thing. At least, go to the tryout for me, if nothing comes of it, so be it, but do it for your grandma, just do that for me”. So of course, I did.
Fast forward, as the underdog to this competition in so many ways, no training, no professional photos (I had my aunt take some farm Polaroids and I stuck them in a binder for my ‘portfolio’), no one ever checked my DL for my age nor ever measured my height and I was 1 of 2 Black Women of about 250 contestants for the whole competition. I took home the title of Tennessee’s Top Model 2008 as the 1st Black Woman Title Holder and Underdog in more ways the 1. My grandmother was proud and reminded me of that everyday after that. With the winning came a one year contract with Wilhemina Talent Agency, some fancy dresses, jewelry, shoes and 1 Free Acting Class! After attending the Acting Class, it rekindled the spark I had in college enrolled in theater courses at MTSU. That following year my son’s father moved us to Atlanta, GA, when he got picked up b the Atlanta Falcons and we found a home in little did I know at the time, the future Hollywood of the South! I got involved heavily with the modeling world doing Hosting, Spokeswoman and Speaking gigs but Loved the art of Film! I enrolled in Alliance Theater at the Woodruff for their 2 yr Film Concentration/Commercial program and was introduced to “The Power of the Actor” the Chubbuck Technique in 2009, by professor Sharon Foote. I began Coaching shortly after at an acting school as Head Coach for many years until building up the courage to go to LA and sit in with Ivana Chubbuck Studios as a student, little did I know that was going to the start of my Accreditation training until one month prior to me traveling “just to get my feet wet in LA”. That trip turned into a 3.5 months life-changing chapter in my life! I came back to the Eastside Stronger and more Empowered than ever to make my mark as a Coach who Loves empowering others through the inevitable, persevere through the turmoil and never sell a dream short of its worth!
Helping my students move over the years and empowering other business professionals in their careers builds my passion and blazes my flame DAILY! The success of my students and clients are the fuel, they are my inspiration and together, we impact on, now, Global levels! As a protege of Ivana Chubbuck, I strive to evolve in my methods for teaching the technique as the Accredited Instructor today for East America, Africa and India! Now, as Founder 2 schools in Atlanta, GA (Artistic Heights Academy Inc and Coached by Jonna Inc), CEO of Dirt Road Paths Productions Inc. and Coach of 100’s of phenomenal human beings worldwide! Currently, I’m working on a Doctorates degree for epistemology in hopes to help aid in brain health and rehabilitation, which I have found helpful to many actors and professionals who suffer from discouragement, anxiety and other mental issues due to the trickiness of the industry. Learning is constant and my grandmother always said to me, “God gives his toughest battles to his strongest warriors” a mantra of mine that I now pass on to my colleagues, students and friends. The day I stop learning will be the day I take my last breath.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Struggles are inevitable. It has been a well-received turbulent road for me. As for many great leaders. Something I have learned along the way and still something that I constantly have to work is what to accept and what to walk away from. Sometimes the very struggle is the unknown if everything that is troubling you is worth it or distracting you from your growth. Getting beyond the “Being told No’s” “Rejection from people with opportunity” and not being “included”, you will find things that true high achievers struggle with are so much deeper and more difficult from those surfaced issues. People do not control your success and joy, only You control that. The one individual (from my experience) who denied respect or opportunity to you, is not the only person on the Entire Whole World that can give that to you. Matter of fact, I have always received a MUCH greater opportunity when declined from someone I thought really owed me a chance, from loyalty and dedication put in. It doesn’t work out that way for a reason. You MUST always remember that. No matter your ethnicity, your gender, your identity preference, no matter, You demand respect or go to where you are appreciated for your ethic. That place, those people are out there waiting on you. So believe that and don’t get distracted by small-minded people.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Artistic Heights Academy Inc; Coached By Jonna Inc; Dirt Road Paths Productions Inc?
Artistic Heights Academy Inc is a Professional Acting and Performers school with a full curriculum. Educating the talent on the entire Professional careers in the industry from Acting, Screenwriting to Producing and Casting. Having top Coaches who actively work in the field while helping the students find job placements and signing with talent reps with commitment. AHA is set to be as close to University/Classical training compared to foreign prestigious schools and training methods for the East side of America. Ages are from five years – Adult.
Coached By Jonna Inc is the Accredited Chubbuck Technique school for Atlanta, GA training talent and preparing them to travel to Los Angeles to train directly with Ivana Chubbuck. Offers Career Coaching and Professional Self-Taping Services for Actors. Building Professional Resumes for Actors with the accredited training being vouched for with Industry Professionals. Offers Guest industry professional visits to view performances in class, which Frequently leads to direct bookings for the students.
Dirt Road Paths Productions Inc. is a National and International Production company building teams to work in alliance and create collaborative, culturally responsive film/footage.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
ATL is phenomenally diverse always entertaining. The amount of networking/mixers that go on gives folks of all walks of life an opportunity to get out and socialize!
Pricing:
- Career Coaching – $50 (1 full hour session)
- AHA – Skillbuilder (1 course into studies/ 3 months) $600
Contact Info:
- Email: coach@coachedbyjonnajohnson.com
- Website: www.ArtisticHeightsAcademyInc.com
- Instagram: @jonnajohnson1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonnajohnson17
- Twitter: @jonnajohnson1
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/m8LH8YXV0D4
- Other: www.CoachedByJonnaJohnson.com
