Joan Oloff (aka"Doc”)
Always a dreamer, I find my greatest satisfaction in taking very personal visions and developing them into reality. If you can see it, first in your head, then you have the foundation to make it happen!
I was born and raised in New York, the daughter of a local Brooklyn boy and a Lithuanian born mother. My mother was so excited to have a little girl. She had images of dressing up her daughter and going to the Plaza Hotel for High Tea. Unfortunately for her, I came out a tomboy. I loved playing all sports. I remember bringing my baseball mitt to school every day in 2nd grade, just to play with the boys at recess. My favorite part of summer camp was “color war,“ where we competed in a team format, playing multiple sports.
I studied music therapy at NYU. After a brief period out in the real world, I went back to school. I eventually emerged as a foot and ankle surgeon. Why feet, you ask (approximately 30% of my patients ask)? It was a natural, as my dad owned a shoe store in New York. Unlike most doctors, I liked feet!
I became a professor at The California College of Podiatric Medicine, enjoying challenging my students to be their best. Secretly, I found lecturing a great outlet to practice stand-up! Eventually, I was lured into private practice.
Inspiration can emerge from the most unlikely of places.
A new vision kept haunting me. My professional life had exposed me to many amazing women, as well as young girls. I kept envisioning a place where young girls could visit; a place where they could tap into the lives of these amazing women.A place where they could learn the skills necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices. A place where they could interact with each other. A place that promotes positive youth development, in a fun and entertaining way. They just needed a guide, a “peter pan like figure to lead them on this journey. The best part of this journey, however, is that they can bring it back home with them. It remains a permanent part of these girls’ lives, even when they return home. I first met Brandi as a patient. My daughter,Jamie, was in the office at the time. What impressed me the most, initially, was how Brandi took the time to connect with this young girl. I witnessed thousands of similar interactions in the years to follow. To this day, I remain amazed by the look of adulation in the eyes of young girls when they meet Brandi. As for me, I realized that I found a “fellow dreamer.” I knew this, not because of any special instinct. I noticed that Brandi has always signed autographs with a very sweet message…”Dreams Do Come true!” She is the natural pied piper. I recruited her to lead these girls throughout this journey.
Welcome to BRANDI’S WORLD!
Joan Oloff
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