Strength Happens.
Real Friends. Real Talk. Real Life

Janine Harrity

Janine brings deep compassion, resilience, and a lifetime of lived experience to her work as a mother, educator, and advocate. With a background in early childhood education, she has always been passionate about nurturing growth—in children, in families, and in herself.

Janine is the mother of four, including her oldest daughter Morgan, who was born with complex medical needs. Her journey through the world of disability and caregiving has shaped her into a fierce, empathetic voice for parents navigating similar paths.

In her 50s, Janine is not only running—she’s setting records in local races and redefining what strength looks like at every age. She is the co-host of the podcast Strength Happens with her longtime friend Jill Heilman, where she shares her real, raw, and hopeful reflections on motherhood, marriage, friendship, and finding joy even in the hardest seasons.

Jillian Heilman, PhD, CRC

Jill is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and disability specialist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate the challenges of chronic illness and disability. Her professional work is deeply rooted in personal experience—she is the mother of three young adults living with chronic illness, and she carries the profound loss of her daughter, Halle, who passed away at age 15.

A runner, hiker, and lifelong learner, Jill finds strength in movement, nature, and meaningful connection. She’s been a close friend of Janine for over two decades, and together they co-host the podcast Strength Happens, where they share honest conversations about parenting, resilience, grief, and growth.

Jill brings clinical expertise, raw honesty, and heartfelt empathy to every space she’s in—creating room for others to be seen, heard, and supported.