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Joline, a mother of two married to her college sweetheart (also an OHIO grad), has led a nonlinear career as a fitness and wellness coach, and Gwen, a newlywed, is an award-winning videographer who keeps candy in her desk drawer.

With twenty years between them, it鈥檇 be easy to focus on what makes them different. Yet, the duo discovered they have more in common than meets the eye, and their working relationship has blossomed into a friendship.

The day before they met with ohiowomen, their bond met perhaps its hardest test: After some corporate shuffling commonplace in the media industry today, For the Health of It was canceled.

But the two didn鈥檛 miss a beat and happily shared their mutual experiences, challenges, and what inspires them to keep moving forward.

How did you grow at OHIO?
Gwen: I am reserved and quiet. Viscom (OHIO鈥檚 School of Visual Communication) taught me to communicate with people in a professional manner. In my private life, I can go back to my reserved personality.

Joline: I learned how to manage my time. That self-management resonates in being a freelancer and entrepreneur.

What have you learned from each other?
Joline: I learned from Gwen how to speak succinctly. Where we are similar is that story is really important. Gwen is a great storyteller. In my field of work, people identify with someone鈥檚 story, rather than how they [became fit]鈥nd storytelling鈥攊n fewer words than I just used鈥攊s powerful.

Gwen: Joline has many facets of activities. I learned that you can do more than one thing and be successful at it. Follow your passion. If something catches your interest, go for it.

Producing For the Health of It was a new experience for both of you. How did you approach the challenge?
Joline: Sometimes this is what happens when women get older. I thought, 鈥淲ho am I to think I should be doing this show? I have a certification in this, but this is not what I went to school for.鈥� Then I thought, 鈥淕et it together.鈥�

Gwen: I was nervous because I learned at OHIO how to make videos, just in a different context and way. I took the knowledge I did have to [film For the Health of It].

Where do you find inspiration?
Gwen: My dad took me to interview at OHIO to get into the Viscom program. When they called me in he whispered, 鈥淕o kick some ass.鈥� That gave me heft to talk to the professors as people.

Joline: My husband is my biggest fan. I have a strong faith鈥 found my voice, and I don鈥檛 care how people respond to it.

How have you handled life鈥檚 inevitable transitions?
Joline: I鈥檓 in a demographic of women who are unsure of what to do now, and whether they even can. I hear people say, 鈥淚 would really like to鈥︹€� and I respond with, 鈥淭hen, why don鈥檛 you?鈥� Typically, in their thirties, women have children and their schedule changes. As those children get older, you miss what you used to do. Now you鈥檙e in a place where it鈥檚 either do I go find it traditionally or do I create it...I鈥檝e always been of the mindset [of asking], 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the next thing?鈥� Even with the change [with] For the Health of It. The minute I got off the phone, I was like, 鈥淥kay. What鈥檚 the next thing?鈥�

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