Hi friends. Meet @janina.casanova! Janina is a mother, surfer, designer and all around super talented gal. We both share a mutual love for the word mate (said is an American Australian accent) and retro surfboards. Janina is an absolute joy and makes friends everywhere she goes. She recently launched her own brand @sunday_arvo_surf_club where she sells all of her amazing work, y’all should check it out. Follow along this week as we get to know her better.

What are your thoughts on work-life balance?

We’re still trying to figure that out! Our lives are constantly in flux, but we’ve got a good rhythm going right now.

I usually start my day at 4/4:30 am and sneak in an hour of either drawing, emailing, or prepping… then I head out to surf before daybreak for another hour or so and come home by 8 in time for my partner, Joey, to get to work.

Being a full-time mother, trying to be creative and productive while learning how to start/run a business, are the hats I’m just figuring out how to juggle as we go. I’m fortunate enough to be able to surf every day even if I have to get up at ridiculous hours, and I’m also able to be home with my daughter while I work on things, so I feel like I’m winning even though I might not be as productive.

Who has had the biggest impact on your life and perspective?

My little toddler, bean sprout, munchkin, almost 2-year-old daughter has had the biggest impact on my life and perspective. Having her has expanded my heart beyond what I thought was possible to love. Everything else falls to the wayside. Nothing else matters but creating a safe, loving world for her to be in.

What are your thoughts on the ocean?

Every time I paddle out, I feel thankful and so grateful that I am able to do so. The ocean is this vast expanse that reminds me of how little and insignificant I am and that the only time we have is now. It helps me be more present in my life and for the people around me.

What is success?

Success is doing what you love… loving and being loved… and being happy.

When was the last time you felt bliss?

The last time I felt bliss was a few weeks ago when we took Billie surfing for her first time ever. We finally got a wetsuit and were able to get her out there. She was so happy and ecstatic and saying hi to everyone and saying, “I furf.” Being able to share something that I love so much with her, and knowing that this was the first of many and just the beginning of many years of surf days with her, took me out of my body and into this state of proud, happy, momma blessed bliss.

If you had one memory you could carry with you for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I could only carry one memory for the rest of my life, it would be from Billie's first surf. Billie was on Joey’s board with him, I took a wave past them, and she waved her hands in the air, clapping, with the biggest smile, saying, “Go mom, go!”

What drives you?

Creating a life that I love, following my bliss, surfing, being a mother, being a partner, being a woman.

Please tell me one Janina fun fact...

I only go right.

Jk, Jk, JK.

I spent most of my time learning how to surf in the Philippines on a right reef break and in Oz on a right point break. So I mostly only go right.

What is the biggest realization you have had about yourself?

The biggest realization I’ve had about myself is that—I can do it.

There have been so many times in my life where I doubted myself or someone else questioned whether or not I can achieve something, or I struggled to get through a hurdle or tough time… and I’ll look back and realize, I did it.

Which of your vices or bad habits would be the hardest to give up?

I love to eat and drink… I’m a Taurus, and we’re notorious for loving to indulge.

What advice would you give to your daughter when she turns 20?

Be a kind, good human. Give more than you take. Follow your bliss. Everything will work out.

What habit do you have now that you wish you started much earlier?

My habit that I have now that I wish I started earlier is SURFING! I didn’t start until I was 33. I keep thinking I’d be so much better than I am now if I started earlier… Oh well… better late than never!!

What would you say has been your best investment?

The best investment that I’ve ever made was that one-way ticket to the Philippines I bought to find myself when I was going through a crisis. What I thought would be a few months turned into an almost 4-year walkabout around the globe. I ended up spending my entire life savings and came back to America without a penny to my name, but the experiences and who I became on this journey are priceless.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Mostly full, sometimes half full.

Do you collect anything?

Memories.

Is there anything you wish would come back into fashion?

I’m currently living through my first few rounds of things I wore when I was young coming back into fashion, and I can tell you what I’m hoping won’t come back—thongs popping out of low-rise jeans. Please nooooooo.

What is one thing you will never do again?

I’ll never say never again!