Our people: Good advice: 'Don't let your age stop you'

Casey Jones is a fighter. From her early days growing up on her family's ranch in Roosevelt County, Jones said she learned that no matter how many times you get bucked off, you must always get back on the horse. A survivor of childhood abuse, Jones said she has found strength in her faith, healing through education, and joy in her hobbies.

At the age of 20, Jones left home and embarked on a career as a flight attendant for United Airlines. She did this for 26 years before turning her attention to other pursuits. Among her other accomplishments, Jones has written a now-published memoir about her challenging life experiences.

In her 60s, she completed a doctorate in biblical counseling. Today, she owns and operates her company, Downtown Diva Designs, which builds websites.

When Jones is not busy at work behind the screen, she can be found on the taekwondo mat.

Q: Of all the places you've traveled, where has been your favorite?

A: Definitely Salzburg, Austria. It is stunning.

Q: How did you get into taekwondo?

A: In 1989 I started taking martial arts lessons in Denver, but I couldn't be there for all the lessons. 

So, to make a long story short, I produced a training tape with the Olympic gold medalist in taekwondo. Her name was Dana Hee. Just as I was filming it, my father died here in Portales and that sort of ended my martial arts exploration because his passing kind of messed me up for a little while. 

I had always wanted to get back into it, but life just became so busy with other things. When I moved to Clovis, I kept driving by Force of One, the school on Commerce. 

I kept saying, "Oh, I'd really like to go back and try it, but I'm probably too old. I'm almost 70." Then I met a worker at Walmart by the name of Jerry, and Jerry is one of the instructors at Force of One. He said, "Don't let your age stop you, you can do this." 

So one day in February of last year, I walked into the school and met Master Eric Suan. I thought I may just take the self-defense course, but he said, "Why don't you take the [regular] classes?" And I said, "Do you think I'm too old?" He said I wasn't.

Oh, but I was – and I am. But, I still did it.

I've made it through. I'm now a purple belt. In just a year of doing it, I'm over halfway to getting my black belt.

Q: What is your very favorite thing about martial arts?

A: It's like a beautiful dance. Watching people perform the forms is literally like watching a beautiful dance and I love that. 

And I love the kids. The class is filled with laughter and joy. To the kids, I'm like their grandmother and they'll ask me for advice and tell me about their lives. 

And to me, that's so touching.

Q: Do you have a favorite animal?

A: Well, I have four stray dogs. And I feed two stray kitties on my porch. They come for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They're quite spoiled, and they throw a little hissy fit if they don't get their breakfast.

And I love horses. One of the blessings of growing up on a ranch is that I really love being around animals.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: I think I would do a missionary trip somewhere. I have my doctorate in biblical counseling and so I think I might do that.

Q: Do you collect anything?

A: I play classical piano music so I'm always collecting different pieces of music. That's the only thing I collect.

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?

A: I'm gonna say my doctorate -- I also wrote a book, so it might be my book, or both. I think getting my black belt will be one of my greatest accomplishments. ... When I was 5 years old, I gave my life to Christ and he has protected and blessed me ever since.  That moment is greater than anything else I have done or could have done.

Q: What piece of advice would you have given yourself 20 years ago?

A: With patience and determination, you can do anything. Pursue God with all of your heart.

Another quote that I love that I made up myself is that your pain is often the path to your purpose. This has been true for me as the memoir I wrote about some of my life's most difficult challenges is now being looked at for a feature film produced by Selective Artists Agency.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to make a life change?

A: Listen to your heart and keep pursuing your dreams. ... You can get back on the horse.