Story & Lesson Highlights with ania thomas of The Valley

ania thomas shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

ania, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Reading and writing help me lose track of time—they feel authentic, grounding, and transport me beyond reality. Nature holds the same power: it makes me think, reflect, and forget the noise of everyday life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a musician who plays guitar for different bands, writes songs with other artists, produces, and also creates music for myself. I do a lot of different things in music, but at the heart of it all, I’ve always been inspired by artists who are unafraid to be their true selves. That freedom is why I make music—it helps me express who I am and continually find myself again.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world taught me who I should be, I was someone completely free—living exactly how I wanted, unattached to anything. That kind of freedom was beautiful, but also extreme. I still miss it, yet I’ve come to realize that having some structure and the ability to truly attach to something gives me the grounding I need.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were so many times I almost gave up. People doubted me and tried to make me believe I couldn’t do it. But I learned the most important lesson: never give up on yourself.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The version of me that the public sees is usually made up of the best qualities I want to share. What I don’t show as often are my vulnerabilities—but in truth, those are some of the best and most authentic parts of me.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
The version of me that the public sees is usually made up of the best qualities I want to share. What I don’t show as often are my vulnerabilities—but in truth, those are some of the best and most authentic parts of me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aniathomas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aniacakess
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ania-thomas-aa38b3196
• Twitter: https://x.com/aniacakess
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ania.thomas.475184
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Aniacakess
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/aniacakes

Image Credits
Tim Lawson

Instagram @timlawson.la