Interview 004: Lexie Janson
Our Distinctive Woman this month is the innovative, Lexie Janson. Lexie is a 28-year-old drone racing pilot and digital creator, amongst many other things. She currently lives in Germany where she finds the freedom she longed for growing up.
Continue reading for the full interview with Lexie Janson!
LIW: Give us a quick synopsis of who you are and what you do?
LJ: My name is Lexie Janson, I’m 28 years old living in Germany. I am a videographer, photographer, programmer, drone racing pilot, social media manager, business owner, writer, creator, traveler, public speaker and a total freak.
LIW: What's one characteristic you possess that you think has helped you get to where you are and why?
LJ: It might sound selfish and dull but I wanted freedom. My family was not rich and sometimes we struggled to keep our bellies full. I was sick a lot and I was living in a place that was not making my health any better. I wanted to be secure and free. Free financially, so I can be sure that me and my loved ones always had food, I wanted to ensure that if any health issue occurs – we will be able to solve it and assure the best help. I wanted to be free from society, things that I “have to do” as a woman or anything. And this is something that has driven me the most. It did change over time and I added freedom of life to it. As I realized that life is not only about working hard until we retire and then are too old and tired to enjoy the gift, we all have got. I want to be alive, not just to live and wait until “I have enough money to stop working” or “until retirement”. We got a life to do what we want with it. It is fragile and precious. And it hurts me that we tend to waste it a lot for things we don’t need or don’t like. I guess if I had to put it into a characteristic it would be – stubbornness and an open mind.
LIW: One of the biggest lessons you learned throughout your career?
LJ: Actually many… If I would put them into short sentences to grab their sense – they would look like this:
It’s not a gender that puts obstacles in front of us – it’s society. And a lot of times it’s the people we should trust most – our parents and teachers.
Gender, Age, Social status, Nationality and religion are nothing that can stop us from reaching our dreams and doing what we want most – people who give us such a reasoning – definitely are.
Everyone who tells you that you cannot do or achieve something – never did anything in their life
People who comment on you – did less than you, and people who did more than you – will stay silent and support you
Basically – it’s all you – not anyone else
LIW: What has been one of the most challenging obstacles you have had to go through to get to where you are today?
LJ: I think mostly fighting myself and the need to “show them all that I can” I think I was overwhelmed trying to prove to others that I am worthy of doing what I am doing, and I am capable of that. The truth always was and will be – I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I am capable of things since I am doing them, and everyone is worthy doing what they are doing. You don’t have to be the best at something to be “worthy” of doing so. The most important thing is – you enjoy it and you learn to be better at it.
I think getting into things I am doing now was mostly a self-growth adventure and getting to know myself while opening my eyes to things that don’t really matter and make absolutely no sense. I am still learning that, and I am still growing, which is a reward by itself.
LIW: One piece of advice for young women?
Whoever tells you that you cannot do anything due to your age, gender, nationality, or other things that at the end make no sense – tell them
I can, and I will… Watch me
Because at the end of the day – they will be watching your success. And you are living the life for yourself, not for others. Make it count and make it amazing.
If they don’t believe you can – be sure I believe… no, I KNOW that you can.
LIW: What was something you wish you knew or wish someone told you when you were growing up?
LJ: That there’s literally nothing I cannot do, and all things are up to me, not to anyone else. I really believed that there is a role I have to fill, there is a road I have to follow and an answer key that I need to fit into. I believed that success is measured in the amount of money you have and how little time you have for yourself.
What a bunch of lies.
(my personal opinion. You totally don’t have to agree. Consider it a thought option:)
The truly successful people have time to be alive and enough money/contacts to make it happen.
LIW: If you had to do it all over again, would you change your career path? Why or why not?
LJ: I truly believe that the paths we have taken up until the NOW made us the person we are at this point. Even though there was a lot of pain and struggle in the past – I wouldn’t change it and do it all over again. You never know – if I had a different life or took a different path knowing what lays on the other side – I wouldn’t be so stubborn to thrive for more. Maybe I would be “ok” with everything around me. I might be a different person. Better or worse.
LIW: What can society/organizations/companies do to give women more opportunity to take on leadership roles or pursuit roles in male-dominant industries?
Firstly, to stop treating women in STEM as unicorns. And actually give a chance to prove their value. Stop with the “jokes” that are totally not jokes and actually punish such behaviors instead of laughing. Such stuff is funny – until 100th time. Show young girls and grown up women that it is possible and give examples. Teach girls and boys about great women and men scientists. (back when I was at school the only scientist I was taught about was Lady Curie). A group of programmers made out of 9 guys and one “trophy girl” is totally not a good idea.
Normalize the fact to make a change is the best practice I guess.
LIW: What do you wish to accomplish within the next few years?
LJ: Now that the pandemic is upon us – stuff got a bit pushed away and I need to adjust accordingly but aren’t we all doing the same thing here?
Personally, I am looking forward to finishing my new project and open a new business that would push my plans forward and ensure that I will be able to go out and help others. I wish for more public speaking to stand as an example of a real-life woman who does things. I wish to support education as much as I can and actually gain much-needed attention. Because the more attention we pay to other awesome humans – the more exposure to their work and the possibilities we all have. More public speakers, more stories, more adventures, points of view, and people to relate to. That’s my goal!
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You can connect with Lexie on the following social media channels:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/maionhigh
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/maionhigh/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexie-janson-346bb8123/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/maionhigh
Youtube:
https://twitter.com/maionhigh