Meet Jordan Marie Castillo

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Marie Castillo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan Marie below.

Jordan Marie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

As a retired water polo athlete, I believed my purpose was to play abroad in Europe and go pro. Maybe that was a purpose that wasn’t mine instead shaped from the world around me growing up. My family always loved sports, my mother was a diver and swimmer, and my father was a baseball player. Even my grandmother was a synchronized swimmer. Being apart of sports was destined in my life and I’m grateful for the opportunity and support it gave me. It taught it me discipline, how to let loose and have fun in the hard moments. I played water polo in college at University of California, Santa Barbara. During my third year on the team, it became apparent that it was not something I wanted to do long-term anymore. After I left the team, I began going to more music and art shows. I stumbled across a dive bar called- Dargans Irish Pub and restaurant, in Downtown Santa Barbara. I watched a singer named Victor Vega, the way he sang was soulful, vulnerable, and healing. I knew at that moment I wanted to create sound just as he did. I do still play water polo pick up games on a masters team here in LA, and swim to this day, as it offers familiarity and a therapeutic effect.

Writing has been a major part of me regardless of where my goals were pointed. When I first got to college, I began questioning if I should further my studies in writing. I ended up taking an arts approach, majoring in Bachelors of Arts: history of art and architecture. I don’t regret my degree, it was a great experience and I learned so many different cultures and histories. It helped me be more creative in my endeavors, writing and all. Whether a paper, thesis or my own personal work.

Purpose I believe always changes, what we believe we are meant to do and be, is not always what we end up doing, and who we truly become. I knew at a young age that I wanted to do meaningful work. Everything that I went through led up to the work I do: An active writer, poetry, a singer, and a therapist. The most important thing is: I’m driven to continue helping others in these many different forms that I’m blessed to do so now. So, how did I find my purpose? It continues to find me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Jordan Marie Castillo, Mexican-Irish-American Texas born from Houston, now reside in Los Angeles, California. I’m a writer, mainly poetry, and a singer. I love singing in the style of Classic soul, country blues, mixed with maybe some folk. It’s hard for me to categorize my music, because I believe it’s always ever-evolving. I write about love in the form of all perspectives: the romantic, the love, the misfortune, the hurt. From our past, present, future, from our human and worldly connections. The simplicity in the chaos that rises in our world. Words are so precious. I can’t imagine not writing, I’ve found:
I Fallen in Love with Words.

Healing and expression carries in so many different forms, writing and singing has shaped myself and others on the beauty of communication through language and song. You can find my writings: @jjjijordan on instagram. I’m working on an EP right now called: A Solitude Love: The World Feels Like A Stranger, But It’s My Best Friend. I’m inspired from artists and songs from the 20s, 30s and 40s. Some artists are: Billie Holiday, Lee Morse, Astrud Gilberto, The Fleetwoods, and Mary Ford/Les Paul. A present day heavy influence are jazz singers Catherine Russel and Michael Franks.

I am also a therapist, a behavioral technician. I work with children who need quality of life assistance. I love how everyday I’m taught something new from my clients. They truly are blessings, and further my purpose in this lifetime.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Character, grit, and courage are qualities that I’ve carried with me throughout my journey, not just as an artist but a person. My parents growing up always instilled in me that whatever happens in life, character is an important factor in molding your future. Without it, truth and integrity means nothing. Surround yourself with people of good character. Grit, is alongside resilience. As a former athlete, I believe endurance is apart of me, and translating it into my artistry comes naturally. It’s taught me to have regimen. Courage is intertwined with compassion. There will always be instances self doubt may arise. It’s something that will be the voice in the back of your head, however, you must keep your positivity and light. My advice to anyone beginning their artistic or brand journey is: lead with courage in yourself, practice compassion, and have fun. If you are not enjoying what you’re doing, ask yourself: what can I do to make it better or who truly do I want to be?

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

A book that is impactful for me, and I loved growing up, is a book called Round Trip by Ann Jonas. It is a children’s book and has stuck with me throughout my adult years. It is mainly an illustration with a story about a road trip. The illustrations in particular is what stuck out to me as a child and still has great meaning to me now. It shows two different perspectives in its entirety, one side shows image, then you flip the book to see an inverted different illustration. It reminds me to have multiple perceptions of everything I do, everything that causes struggle, or anything that brings joy. There’s different aspects to everything in life and that is the beauty of living. If you may fail, where is the new perception of winning? If there is something you can’t change out of your control, where can you find silver lining, or another way to achieve your happiness?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jorrdancm and jjjijordan
• Twitter: jordancastii
• Youtube: JordanMarieCastillo
• Soundcloud: Childishbingo

Image Credits

Bo Raquelsantos
instagram- rqlsnts.photography