Jen Hatmaker shares career updates since her 2015 cover story and how she’s leading a movement of liberation and self-care through her latest book, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You.
Photo by Micah Kandros
This month, like countless other small businesses and local companies, Austin Woman was faced with the financial ripples of COVID-19. A May issue was no longer a guarantee—without some help. Our founder, Melinda Garvey, turned to the women who have always been our loudest and best cheerleaders: our former cover women. She asked if they would lean in and support us, so in turn we can continue to support all Austin women. The responses were immediate and humbling.
Jen Hatmaker, an author, speaker and 2015 cover woman, was one of the many women who leaned in. We’re so grateful for her support and we hope as she supported us, you will support her. We asked Hatmaker what she’s been doing since her cover story and how she’s leading a movement of liberation and self-care for women around the country.
Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover followed your career as a speaker, author and an HGTV star and promoted your latest book, For the Love. What have been some career updates since your 2015 cover?
Jen Hatmaker: Since I was a cover model (Stop asking me about it, you guys!), I released Of Mess and Moxie in 2017, the For the Love Podcast the same year ( just surpassed 20 million downloads), the Jen Hatmaker Book Club in 2019, went on four tours and I just released Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. So, basically the last five years have been super boring.
AW: Your latest book, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You, guides readers through five categories: who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe and how I connect. During this season of COVID-19, what have you learned about your own needs and wants and how do you practice self-care through seasons of fear and unknowns?
JH: Without the predictable distractions that keep me from deep interior work, I’ve gotten very still with my own heart and soul and asked what they would like to tell me. I am listening to my own instincts and trusting my own voice. It is revolutionary work for women to trust themselves; [it is]the height of self-care.
AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?
JH: Austin is my best and first city in every analytical demographic. This city has been so good to me. Grab a copy of Fierce, neighbors. Give it to your daughters and sisters and best friends. It is our freedom song. May it serve you well in your own march toward liberation.
WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE?
I just finished The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd and I am shook. It shares the same themes as Fierce, and I am just freaking out. Sue and I were both on Brené Brown’s podcast discussing what happens when women claim their own voices. What a time to be a woman in the company of women like this. Lucky us.
Read more stories of our former cover women who joined our Lean In campaign.