Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtlyn Jones.
Hi Courtlyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sure. My path has been anything but traditional—it’s a blend of creativity, chronic illness, reinvention, and healing.
I started my career in the design world, first as a graphic designer in corporate, then founding The Design Database, a platform built to support and elevate women in creative industries. At the same time, I was quietly navigating life with rheumatoid arthritis, a thyroid cancer diagnosis, and a string of chronic injuries that deeply impacted how I moved through the world.
In 2023, after being diagnosed with atlantoaxial instability and later tearing my hamstring in 2024 while training for my first marathon, I hit a breaking point. When physical therapy didn’t help, I decided to take my healing into my own hands. I got certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in personal training and corrective exercise and began rebuilding my body from the inside out.
That journey inspired The CRTLYN Edit, my podcast and newsletter where I share honest stories about healing, identity, and self-leadership. I also interview women athletes and changemakers, and create wellness content in partnership with brands like Magna, Pure Encapsulations, and now Athleta as one of their Creators.
Today, I’m a multidisciplinary creative, fitness ambassador, and storyteller—helping others find power in their healing and alignment in their journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all—but it’s been one of the most clarifying and necessary detours of my life.
At one point, I was juggling everything: running The Design Database, hosting my podcast Fearless Narratives, producing Art-InspiHerd Magazine, mentoring creatives—and doing it all while living with fatigue and chronic pain. From the outside, it looked like success. But inside, I was burned out, disconnected from my body, and running on fumes. I knew I couldn’t keep going like that.
So I gave myself permission to pause.
I stepped away from The Design Database and used that space to find joy again. That’s when I rediscovered running—something I loved as a kid. It started as a stress reliever, but it quickly became something more. When I got injured while training for my first marathon, it forced me to confront just how out of alignment I really was—not just physically, but in how I was living and leading.
That injury became a wake-up call. I got certified as a fitness professional to learn how to heal myself. And in the process, I realized I didn’t just want to create anymore—I wanted to serve and connect through wellness, embodiment, and storytelling.
That’s when I transformed Fearless Narratives into The CRTLYN Edit, a podcast and newsletter about healing, identity, and rewriting your story. I pivoted from interviewing women artists and entrepreneurs to now highlighting women athletes and changemakers—people who, like me, have made mistakes, shifted paths, and are learning how to live and lead in a more aligned, embodied way.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But stepping away from what I thought was my dream gave me the clarity to find something even more fulfilling. And I’m proud that I chose presence over pressure—and purpose over perfection.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the creator and host of The CRTLYN Edit, a podcast and newsletter where I share personal essays, wellness tools, and interviews with women athletes and changemakers who are redefining strength on their own terms.
What sets me apart is that everything I teach and create comes from lived experience. I’m not here to perform perfection—I’m here to model what it looks like to lead, heal, and evolve in real time. I bring both empathy and strategy to my work, blending creative storytelling with functional movement, and helping others feel powerful in bodies that don’t always follow the rules.
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve turned pain into purpose—not just for myself, but for the communities I create with. Whether through content or conversation, I aim to be a guide for anyone navigating the in-between: between ambition and rest, strength and softness, falling apart and coming back home to yourself.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about LA is the energy of reinvention. There’s something really special about being in a city where so many people are carving out their own paths. Whether you’re an artist, athlete, entrepreneur, or all three—it’s a place that makes space for evolution. I also love the outdoor lifestyle. Running by the beach, hiking in the hills, grabbing a green juice after a workout—there’s this beautiful balance of movement and mindfulness that’s just built into the rhythm of the city.
What I like least? Honestly, I think LA can sometimes feel a bit disconnected or image-driven. It’s easy to get caught up in appearances or comparison if you’re not grounded. That’s why I try to surround myself with people who are intentional, down-to-earth, and values-driven. At its best, LA is incredibly expansive. But you have to know who you are and why you’re here to fully thrive in it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.courtlynjones.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtlynjones
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtlynjones
- Other: www.courtlynjones.substack.com
Image Credits
Stefania Curto
