In this section, empowered women from around the world show us how they work to achieve their dreams and what it means to be a woman in today’s society.

In this week’s section, local Waikiki surfer Jandy Villaren tells us some curious facts about her. Jandy was born on the Big Island and raised on Maui. She currently lives on Oahu and says she can spend four hours a day surfing sometimes. Besides her passion for surfing, Jandy works as a vet-technician for a non-profit organization. Her passion for helping animals, traveling, and surfing is what makes her heart beat. Keep reading to hear more about her and why she is our wahine of the week!

1. How do you practice self-care?

I practice self-care by surfing because it gives me a get away from everyday life and my worries. It is a type of therapy for me. Also self care by cleaning my room and going grocery shopping helps me save money and eat healthy.

2. What does your average day off look like?

My average day off would be either surfing for a couple of hours or grocery shopping. Do laundry or go on a hike. Or normally just hang out with friends and travel the island. Or spend time by myself in my room cleaning and relaxing.

3. How did you get into surfing? How did you continue to do it?

I started surfing by working at Billabong in Waikiki three years ago, and I went one day after work. It became my passion and I love it wholeheartedly.

4. Which advice would you give to yourself when you were younger?

The advice I would give to my younger self would be to save more money and to listen to my gut more. I feel like I would have saved my heart break and emotional turmoil if I had listened to my gut. Saving money would have helped me as well to travel the world more often when travel was easy and for leisure.

5. What is your favorite jewelry from our website, and why?

My favorite piece from the website would have to be the rose gold Opalite Plumeria Pendant because opal is my birthstone and plumeria is my favorite flower.

 Explore more of Jandy's world at @alohapulama