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Choosing Optimism Over Adversity: June Wholey’s Story

By: Stefanie Schefter

Life is Good Co-Founder John Jacobs recently received a moving letter from Tyngsborough High School junior June Wholey. For decades, our team has received letters and emails from customers who have found strength, simple wisdom, or a much-needed laugh in Life is Good. Their stories of optimism continue to fuel us every day.

June celebrating the 4th of July at the beach
June wearing one of her favorite Life is Good tees

June shared that she spent the first years of her life in an orphanage in Kazakhstan, and that she was born with a cleft lip and palate. With the help of her mother Lisa, June learned how to focus on and grow the good in her life. June found resilient optimism to be a helpful coping method in dealing with the challenges that came with her condition, subsequent surgeries, and the inevitable, everyday struggles of life.

June’s letter read:

Dear Mr. Jacobs,

My name is June Wholey and I am a junior at Tyngsborough High School. I am currently taking a course called Road Trip Nation and this class helps students find their passion. I am a huge fan of your company and your merchandise and I would love to speak with you briefly about how you found your passion and your journey to getting where you are.

I know you are a celebrity and you are a highly sought after speaker so you may not have time to speak with me. Our teacher told us to dream big and think about who we would love to talk to and you were definitely my first choice. Your message of optimism has helped me through some very difficult times.

I was born with a cleft lip and palate and lived in an orphanage in Kazakhstan for the first 4 years of my life. When my mom adopted me she dressed me in Life is Good clothes frequently. I had multiple surgeries and my mom always encouraged me to be optimistic. That is why your message resonates with me.

 

Thank you for your consideration, 

June Wholey

A visit to the Life is Good Office

June came by the Life is Good office with her mom the other day for a visit, and John got the chance to go a bit deeper. Here are some highlights:

June Wholey at LIG Office
June visiting the Life is Good Offices in Boston, MA

How do you personally stay optimistic when times are tough?

JUNE: Last month, I broke my hand doing gymnastics and I had to get surgery. That was hard—it was my left hand and I’m a lefty, so I had to learn how to write with my right hand for school. Throughout this challenge, it was helpful to remember that it could always be worse. I looked on the bright side and remembered that my hand will heal, and I still have my right hand that I can use. Plus, since I taught myself how to write with my right hand, I’m now a little bit ambidextrous!

What is one piece of advice that you would give to somebody who is feeling overwhelmed by feelings of fear or doubt or negativity?

JUNE: Just keep going, it will always get better (even if it doesn’t feel like it).

Tell us about something that brings you joy.

JUNE: I love to help others. I’m involved in Student Council at my high school and we do a lot of fundraising for causes that we are passionate about. Recently, we’ve raised money for the American Heart Association and for Ukrainian refugees.

June Wholey and Mom

"What makes life good for me is my mom, of course. I also love doing gymnastics with my team, and spending time with my family and friends."

June's impact on Life is Good

June and her mom Lisa, catching up with Life is Good Co-Founder John Jacobs

What’s one thing about June that really stood out to you and makes her so special and unique?

JOHN: June was very open about the fact that optimism isn’t a 24/7 constant, it’s a practice. She talked about the times in life where she struggled, and shared some healthy ways that she copes with negativity: doing gymnastics with her team and chatting through struggles with her mom were at the top of her list. Because June developed these beneficial ways of dealing with rough emotions, she can now confidently tackle whatever comes her way. She sees the world through a lens of optimism and gratitude, knowing how lucky she is to have her mom and her health. When things go awry, June always has this positive foundation to fall back on.

What’s the best part about receiving unexpected letters from people who connect with the brand?

JOHN: We love getting letters like June’s because they give our entire team a lift. These letters remind us why we do what we do at Life is Good. We exist as a company so that we can help people choose optimism. I also love knowing that a letter like this might help someone else who’s wrestling with a similar challenge. If we can show people that they aren’t alone in their struggles, and maybe inspire them to see their own situation through a lens of optimism, that feels like real positive impact.

What was it about June’s story that resonated with you?

JOHN: At Life is Good, we often talk about how one loving adult can make a world of difference in a kid’s life. That’s what our non-profit, the Life is Good Playmakers, is all about. June’s mom Lisa was committed to giving June a good life from day one. She gently guided June every step of the way, encouraging her to see the world with optimistic eyes, even when setbacks or challenges arose. This is what our Playmakers—teachers, counselors, nurses—do, and that’s why it’s so important to us that we help these vital caregivers, through our Playmaker Program, retain their own openness, playfulness and optimism.

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