Today we’d like to introduce you to J.C. Destini.
Hi J.C., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Miami, and my story began in survival long before it ever became a title. I grew up without a sense of safety, trauma, and moments where I had to mature way too earlier than I should have. For a long time, I carried those experiences quietly, believing strength meant silence. Writing became the one place where I could tell my truth without fear or where I could process pain, faith, loss, and hope in my own voice.
What started as private journaling slowly turned into poetry, and eventually into Ink After the Flame, a poetic memoir born from healing in fragments. That book opened the door for me to speak openly about survival and resilience, not as a destination, but as a process. As my healing deepened, so did my calling. I realized my story wasn’t just meant to be written, it was meant to be shared.
That realization led to My Name Is Survival, a full memoir that traces the journey beyond the fire into rebuilding, faith, and becoming. Along my writing, I founded Healing Through Ink Inc, a creative recovery non-profit that brings journaling and storytelling into community spaces, shelters, and women’s programs. Today, my work sits at the intersection of story, service, and healing returning to spaces like Miami not just with a book, but with purpose, and a mission to help others reclaim their voice through ink.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all if I must be honest, it was pure hell. Much of the journey has been shaped by unlearning survival habits that once protected me but later limited me. One of the biggest struggles was learning how to give myself permission to be seen, to stop minimizing my experiences and to trust that my voice that had value beyond my own healing.
There were also practical challenges: navigating publishing as an independent author, building credibility without a traditional platform, and learning how to balance creativity with structure and sustainability. At times, it felt like I was building everything from the ground up while still actively healing.
Emotionally, revisiting past trauma through writing required courage and patience. Healing is not a straight line, and there were moments when progress felt invisible. But each obstacle taught me resilience, discernment, and faith in the process. Those struggles ultimately shaped the work I do today allowing me to meet others with empathy, honesty, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to rebuild.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work centers on storytelling as a tool for healing, resilience, and community connection. I am an author and the founder of Healing Through Ink, a creative recovery initiative and non-profit that uses journaling, reflective writing, and storytelling to support individuals, especially women who are navigating healing after trauma.
I specialize in translating lived experience into language that feels accessible and affirming. Through my books, Ink After the Flame and My Name Is Survival, I explore survival not as a label, but as a lived process, one that includes faith, identity, loss, and rebuilding. My work is often used not just for reading, but for reflection, discussion, and personal growth in community spaces.
What I’m most proud of is creating work that doesn’t just tell my story but invites others into their own. Healing Through Ink allows me to take writing beyond the page and into real spaces shelters, women’s programs, and community settings where people can process, reflect, and reclaim their voice.
What sets me apart is that my work lives at the intersection of art and service. I’m not approaching healing from a distance, I’m walking with it. My story, my books, and my programs are all rooted in authenticity, lived experience, and the belief that writing can open doors to healing where conversation alone sometimes cannot.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
For me, mentorship and networking have come less from traditional settings and more from genuine connection. What has worked best is leading with purpose rather than proximity seeking out people whose values align with where I’m headed, not just where I am. I’ve learned that mentors don’t always look like someone officially taking you under their wing; sometimes they’re people who offer guidance through conversation, example, or opportunity.
I’ve also found that showing up consistently and doing the work opens doors naturally. When people see your commitment especially when it’s rooted in service and authenticity, they’re more willing to invest their time and insight. I try to approach networking as relationship-building rather than self-promotion, listening more than I speak and being clear about how I hope to grow.
Most importantly, I’ve learned to stay open. Some of the most meaningful connections have come from unexpected places community spaces, collaborations, or moments where I simply shared my story honestly. That openness has helped me build relationships that feel supportive, reciprocal, and lasting.
Pricing:
- 13.95
- 17.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inkbydestini.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkbydestini/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577401352211
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jcdestini
