“Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.”
~ David Whyte
Jan has had an eclectic background. Her breadth and depth of experience is itself an evolving woven tapestry that she brings to her Photography, Spiritual Companionship and Personal Coaching businesses. Some of those spaces of exploration are loosely grouped in the following way:
Human Expansion and Possibility
Jan’s interest in mind/body/emotion/spirit has always been evident in how she moved through the world. And, while this is a piece she takes with her everywhere, some of the more focused ways she has explored these relationships are:
- Florida State Champion and Record Holder in Field & Target Archery – training at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego, California, and with Olympic Coaches at Texas A&M University and Phoenix, Arizona. 1996-2001 (State records still held at time of writing.)
- Student of Psychology and Crime and Deviance at the University of Toronto, and Trent University, Peterborough, Canada 1989-1992
- Student of Organizational Behaviour at Athabasca University 2010-2011
- ICF Certified Professional Coach – with emphasis on Entrepreneurial, Dyslexic, ADHD, and Creative Endeavours of Photography, Radio and Writing
- ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) – study of ADHD with emphasis on adult challenges and opportunities, and practices for development of opportunities
Healing Arts
- Certified Hypnotist – Omni Hypnosis Centre, Florida/ California, 1996
- Reiki Level One Practitioner, Florida, 2001
- Canine Massage Certificate, Shari’s Quest, Ontario, Canada 2007
Creative / Expressive Arts
- Palm Beach Photographic Studies during the 1990’s in Palm Beach, Florida. Studies included everything from behind the lens, darkroom practices and gallery development.
- Multiple courses, seminars and conversations on the art of photography
- Studied with Drummer, Dave Stewart, in Georgia, USA, 1999
- Studied with Canadian Ceramic Artist and Potter, Bill Reddick, Peterborough, Canada 2015-2017
- Studied with Canadian Keyboardist, Shai Peer, Peterborough, Canada 2019
The Spiritual
While much of Jan’s work and interests have conscious threads of the spiritual woven throughout, some examples with focused intent include:
- Studies of Traditional Religion Practices (primarily Episcopalian / Anglican), Wycliffe College University of Toronto Lay Program, and additional programs of study and contemplative prayer in churches in the USA and Canada.
- A student of the Abbey of Arts in Galway, Ireland, studying the Desert Mothers and Fathers, God in Nature, and other additional areas of religious study.
Communications / Personal Expansion
Jan’s interest in communications based practices has led her to work and volunteer with various companies and organizations through the years.
- Broadcaster – Radio Producer and Presenter – interviews with cutting-edge thinkers from around the globe. Looking for Jan’s radio show ‘The Essence’? Jump in with this SoundCloud link, and an older YouTube page.
- Mid-sized business – Vice-President of Marketing and HR, Co-owner, board member of mid-sized international businesses in plastics and construction industries 1992-2006
- ICF Certified Professional Coach – with emphasis on Entrepreneurial, Dyslexic, ADHD, and Creative Endeavors of Photography, Radio and Writing 2007
- Spiritual Companion – group and individual – with courses through Spiritual Directors International. Member of SDI.
- Emcee and Speaker – Co-creation of events, setting the tone through speaking and management of events. Visit www.janspragge.com/speaking
- Canadian Ski Association – 40 year member, and on-hill Instructor and Committee Member for development of trade shows,
- One-on-one and group work with incarcerated Young Offenders and Sexual Offenders with emphasis of studies related to the development of an individual, relationship of incarcerated persons and Learning Disabilities, and possibilities for Restorative Justice practice implementation 1990’s
- International Women’s Organization – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – with emphasis on diversity and building international relationships through business and community 1996-2003
- Manager of Talent and Model at Las Olas Models and Talent Agency – with interest in development of business and managing relationships such as the rollout of the new VW Bug in Los Angeles in the 1990’s,
- Political Campaign Involvement – Assistant Campaign Manager, Board Member multiple times – Federal and Provincial, Events, Communications, Delegate, and other related roles
- Church Communications and Events Committees, with emphasis on PR development and implementation, writing press releases, photography, and development and implementation of events
- Lay reader – development and offering of intercessional prayers, lay reading as well as study of sermon development
- Co-Chair of Fundraising for NHH Hospital Gala Committee over multiple years
- Toastmasters International – Member and Co-Creator and Implementer of Youth Program for Disadvantaged Youth In Georgia USA,
- Learning Disability Board of Advisors – helping to create innovative ways for schools to enhance learning
- Caregiving – Primary Caregiver for her late-husband, Jim, and her father and mother, Jan dove deep into mind/body/emotional relationships with emphasis on care for cancer, dementia, and the often forgotten needs of the caregiver.
- Fundraising Co-Chair for local hospital Foundation Board Gala and Broward County Art Gallery, Florida
- Leader in YMCA ‘Empowering Young Women’ groups, involvement in girls empowerment program at local fire department
