Rachel Johnson
Name: Rachel Johnson
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Profession: Founder & Attorney
Self-Description: Mom of 3; Co-Founder of J&O Law; Founder of ah.mi Health
Words to live by: Greens.Water.Move.Repeat.
What would you say to your younger self? Don't sweat the small stuff. So much easier said than done :)
On health & wellness
What is something you changed in your life, to change your life for the better? Five years ago after having my second baby I was committed to get healthy for good. Instead of starting a new shiny program or paying for something that was temporary, I decided to go back to the basics - Greens.Water.Move.Repeat (this has now become ah.mi's motto). I started a text group with a few friends who were committed to changing their ways and magic happened after 3 months of committing together. The ah.mi Health community was born out of that very first text group.
What advice, inspiration, or motivation can you share to encourage someone to take care of their body, mind, or soul? When you feel good, life is good. Work gets better, relationships are stronger, and it's contagious ~ those around you are motivated to do the same.
What is your favorite health or wellness product? It always changes, but right now the Peloton Tread. My sister "temporarily" put hers in our garage and I have been doing the 12-3-30 workouts (12 incline; 3 speed; 30 minutes) on mornings when I need to fit in something quick.
On business
Tell us about your business. I am a 2x founder. My full time role is Co-Founder and Managing Member of J&O Law. J&O is a boutique law firm that works closely with emerging and high-growth companies as outside general counsel. I work on ah.mi Health on the side and have an amazing Director of Marketing (Jordan Baum) who has been helping me build ah.mi for the past few years.
Were you always interested in it or did you fall into it? I had no clue what I wanted to do after college, and law school seemed like a good default. I've always loved children and thought with a law degree I could do something to make an impact for children in foster care. I started law school after a breakup and went into full mad scientist mode (what my friend Andrea called it :)). I really focused my first year and ended the year at the top of the class which landed me interviews at top law firms. After law school I worked at two top law firms, but always knew it wasn't going to be my forever. I've always been interested in building businesses, founders, and the stories about how they made it happen. Being an attorney who helps founders build their dream businesses is so fulfilling and I really believe is one of the most exciting types of legal work you can do. If you told me years ago I would also write a health/wellness newsletter I would be in shock - I have never been known to be a healthy person and I've always had a reputation for an insane sweet tooth. However, I have always been interested in real-life approachable wellness and have had a constant curiosity for how other people prioritized their time, what they were making for dinner, the wellness products they were using, etc.
What is your favorite part of your work? Building a firm that I would be so happy to be an employee at. I always think if - if J&O offered me a job I would take it in a heartbeat. I am probably bias, but there have been J&O alumni who have said the culture and teamwork at J&O is something incredibly special that is hard to find anywhere else. As a services business, J&O's success is a direct reflection of our team so we prioritize our team as much as we prioritize our clients. ah.mi Health is my creative outlet, even if I made zero dollars from it I would still do it. It feels good and fills up my cup.
What advice would you give someone who is looking to get into the same industry? The training and experience I got from my early years in big law set me up for success. At the firms I worked with, I was thrown into doing the work without any hand holding. You have to learn from the best to become the best.
On motherhood
What advice would you give a new mom who is going through it for the first time? Make sure you are talking to someone and post partum depression is real. I was in a very dark place after my third. Talking to someone and getting on the right meds helped pull me out of it. Do not suffer in silence and it's ok to not feel ok.
Was motherhood something that came naturally to you or did it take some time to find your rhythm? I've always loved kids and knew I wanted a big family but it definitely took time to find my rhythm! Still figuring it out :).
What is one product you'd recommend for a mom of a newborn, toddler, or teenager? The Doona stroller for a newborn is hands down the best.
The full list of favorable mentions are linked below with a brief description.
Favorite gift to give: I got my husband new towels for Valentine's Day - hah! He mentioned for months before how we needed new bath towels. He makes fun of me because he says I give the worst gifts, but they are practical :). (KW: Parachute towels are some of my favorite.) What is a recent purchase you made that you love? Chilewich Rugs - they are beautiful, wipeable and AMAZING for the kitchen. I have one under our breakfast table and a runner by the sink. What do you never leave the house without? Water Bottle. I always fill up before I get in the car. I try to drink "1 before 1". 1 water bottle done by 1pm. (KW: I found this bottle and this bottle to recommend, since they are both free of plastic). Podcast Recommendation: I love Erin and Sara Fosters' podcast - The Worlds First Podcast. They are hysterical, remind me of the banter between me and my twin sister, and always put me in a good mood. I love all their episodes with Rabbi Steve Leder (this one is really good). Artist Recommendation: I love french cafe morning music on Spotify, the playlist is "Morning Parisian Cafe: French Jazz for Better Mood, Positive Energy, Happy Day" - my friend told me she plays french cafe music in her kitchen and so I was inspired. It is so calming! Makeup product: Dibs Desert Island Duo - it is a contour and blush stick. My friend who has insane glowing skin swears by it and I have started using it. Favorite kids clothing brand? I love Little Sleepies - the softest pjs. Recipe: ah.mi has 100+ free recipes on our website! They are all real-life approved and most are 6 main ingredients or less. One on constant rotation for me is Chicken Parm with an arugula salad - so easy and delish.
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