Joanna Gaines achieved success by knocking on every door she encountered, but eventually, she chose to step back. At the peak of her television fame with “Fixer Upper,” Joanna, alongside her husband Chip Gaines, decided to leave the constant hustle behind. Despite encouragement from their representatives to continue, they decided to prioritize their well-being.
Years later, Joanna shared on the “Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb” podcast that she experienced what she describes as “soul weariness.” She reflected on how the intentionality of their work faded, leaving them feeling like part of a machine rather than fulfilled individuals. “It didn’t feel fulfilling,” she explained.
“Stopping in that moment was us saying, ‘What’s worth it is, like are we healthy? Are we good? Is our family good?’ That’s the most important thing,” Joanna emphasized.
“Fixer Upper” brought Joanna and Chip into the public spotlight, but even as their HGTV show soared in popularity, they recognized the unsustainable pace they were maintaining. Joanna Gaines expressed feeling “soul weariness” during the height of their fame, and their show proved to be a pivotal moment.
The Gaines’s began their TV journey in 2013 with the “Fixer Upper” pilot, where they transformed dilapidated homes in Waco, Texas, into stunning spaces for their clients. The series rapidly gained popularity, expanding their Magnolia brand’s influence beyond the realm of home renovation.
In 2017, the Gaines’s announced the end of “Fixer Upper” post its fifth season, choosing to bow out while the show remained a hit.
Joanna shared that after spending nearly 25 years growing their business, about three years ago, they lost sight of their vision. They took a summer off to reassess their goals and needs.
The decision to pause wasn’t free of consequences. Joanna acknowledged the pressure it put on their team and expressed the cost it had on them personally and professionally. “It cost us something. It cost people something,” she admitted.
As their son left for college, the Gaines’s reevaluated their approach to parenting and work. Joanna shared how burnout became increasingly evident, and she sought a break. “When you start dreading your days…” she recalled.
“You start like wishing for a stomach bug or… ‘Okay, maybe back surgery this year would be great.’ Like how do I force myself?” Joanna humorously recounted.
Physical exhaustion was manageable for Joanna, but deeper exhaustion proved different. “Where your soul just feels weary,” she remarked. She explained how this “soul weariness” presents a different challenge, unlike physical fatigue.
Joanna and Chip have five children — Ella, Drake, Crew, Emmie, and Duke. They planted roots in Waco, Texas, where their Magnolia businesses flourished. The couple’s Magnolia Market at the Silos includes the Shops at the Silos, Silos Baking Co., and Magnolia Press Coffee Co. They also run Magnolia Table in Waco.
Beyond television, Joanna and Chip have expanded their Magnolia brand through lifestyle books, Magnolia Home furniture and accessories, and a collaboration with Target on the Hearth & Hand collection. Additionally, they opened the 33-room Hotel 1928 in Waco in 2023 after renovating a historic building.
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