Janna Sikma is a horse riding, duck loving, baking, dancing, reading, gardening machine. She is also our Vita Collective co-leader! When she isn’t checking the Weather Channel, she is boating with friends or reading the latest psychological studies.

We sat down at the Children’s Healing Center to discuss all of her hobbies and more. Get to know Janna in our interview below and come say hi at our next Vita Collective hang out!

Q: What do you love about co-leading Vita Collective?

A: I love working closely with young adults near my own age. We have a bunch of really talented, funny, and tough members in this group. It’s been a blast getting to know everyone and I’m excited to grow the membership even more!

Q: Do you have any unexpected talents?

A: Most people know I love animals, especially horses, and I’ve been riding almost my whole life. I can also remember facts quite well. I love reading studies on people and psychology, the details of those just seem to stick with me.

Q: What’s a website you visit every single day?

A: I check the Weather Channel’s site almost 5 times per day. Horseback riding and my other hobbies keep me outside so the weather has a huge impact on my day. I love seasonal weather!

Michigan is great for getting to experience a little bit of everything.

I read books more than websites, though. The book Love Does is one I recommend to everyone in my life. It’s about showing up and loving the people in your life through action rather than just talking about it. I read a lot of Brene Brown and Malcolm Gladwell along with Jane Austen.

Q: You have a little farm! Tell us a bit about your animals.

A: We have two horses, Spock and Suzy. I’ve had them since I was 12 years old, they are 18 and 19 now. Angus is our 2 year old Golden Retriever. We also have 8 little ducks running around!

Their eggs are great for baking and they are so soft when they’re babies.

Q: Rapid fire bucket list:

  • Something you want to learn?
    A: To play the harmonica! It’s so portable.
  • Somewhere you want to travel?
    A: Alaska! I have this phobia of being eaten by a bear but the great outdoors feels worth the risk.
  • Something you want to try?
    A: Backpacking. I got LASIK this year and can finally swing a long trip without hauling around my contacts or glasses.
  • Someone you want to meet?
    A: Amy Poehler. She is so funny and empowering!

Q: You are always doing something interesting. Will you walk us through your wide variety of hobbies?

A: I love keeping busy. I spend a lot of time with my animals at home and I enjoy hunting when that season comes around. Staying active is important to me, I workout almost everyday and love dancing. Baking is one of my favorite things to do, especially breads. We tap for maple syrup every year. I also garden flowers along with vegetables and grow my own seeds at home. We pickle, can, and make salsa with all the produce, too!

Q: What are you most looking forward to with Vita Collective this year?

A: I’m really excited for our upcoming summer programs. This May we are going to Binder Park Zoo and I can’t wait to see their giraffes! I’m planning on some fun trips to explore Michigan with our group, too.

Come hang out with Janna and the rest of our growing group at our next Vita Collective meet-up on April 26th at 6:00pm. We are attending a performance and art workshop at UICA.