CityScope Magazine 2019
POWER COUPLE
Amy Jo Osborn
President & Co-founder of Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer | Principal Owner, Amy Jo Photography & Brand | Owner, Chili Pepper Ranch, LLC
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Dr. James “Jim” Osborn
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | Chairman of the Board & Co-founder, Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer | Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee College of Medicine | President, Comprehensive Spine Institute, PLLC | President, Spine Consultants, LLC | Owner, Chili Pepper Ranch, LLC
Several years ago, Amy Jo was on assignment as a photographer for Southern Living magazine when she met her future husband, Jim. He was racing cars to raise money for pediatric cancer patients. She just happened to notice he was a tall, handsome physician with a passion for giving to others. She caught his eye with her beauty and wit.
Since then, they’ve had four children and started and partnered on a gaggle of businesses, including a nonprofit – their passion project, the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. With so many projects, including a working ranch, it can be hard to find moments of quality one-on-one time, but the duo does their best. “Whether it’s getting up early when the house is quiet or planning a date night, one-on-one time is necessary, needed, and cherished,” tells Amy Jo.
But the team has struck a nice division of labor and balance within their work. “We do have the yin and yang; we blend our fortes and strengths,” Jim explains. “Amy Jo is a superstar. She’s everything that I am not. We do a lot of diverse things, but we get them done and do them together.” They team up on everything from advertising and branding to the overall concept behind an organization, working through any differences until they have a better idea or product they both agree on. “It’s just like polishing a gem,” Jim says.
The Osborns weave their faith into all they do and strive to live by the phrase, “Let go and let God.” They’ve learned it’s important to laugh together and find time to be silly. They teach their children to aim to make an impact and not just be a passenger in this life. As a couple, they’ve learned to take time to step back and examine their lives. “What is keeping you busy? What is driving you every day? Wherever your time is focused, make it something that someone will look back and see you invested in a greater good, whether that be in your relationships, family, or community,” advocates Amy Jo.
COVER MODEL
HealthScope Magazine 2019
HS What do you enjoy about working at the foundation?
AJO Of course, it’s very personal to us. It’s also so crucial. What we do for patients is so essential, and I enjoy sharing in those needs and building relationships that help us meet those needs.
HS How do you approach wellness?
AJO Moderation – to me that’s how I go about it. I’ve always tried to help the entire family eat healthy. But with kids, you’ll have unhealthy things, like ice cream. And that’s okay, but we do it in moderation. Sometimes, it’s hard to find time to workout, so I lay in the living room for crunches with kids crawling on top of me. And that’s okay. You just have to make it work for you.
HS How do you promote healthy choices with your children?
AJO We try not to do screen time at all during the week. I always tell them to get outside and do something – even if it’s just reading in the fresh air and sunshine. As a family, we do a lot of hiking and farm chores. And then nutritionally, because Jim is so into racing (I mean he has fuel in his veins!), we use a stoplight analogy for foods. “Red Light Foods” are things we don’t want to eat all the time, only every once in a while. “Yellow Light Foods” are foods that we have to have, like dairy, but don’t want to overindulge in. And then “Green Light Foods” are the natural, raw veggies and such that we should eat every day.
HS How do you approach emotional well-being?
AJO It’s changed quite a bit since Hatch passed. It was very difficult then. Then, just like now, life was so busy. I discovered you have to be able to take time for yourself and find ways to decompress. Sometimes that means taking some “me time” even if I feel guilty, and sometimes that means pulling back and just being with my family and enjoying them.
HS What would you tell others who have suffered loss?
AJO I guess there’s different steps. For me, at the time when it happened, it didn’t matter what anyone said. I couldn’t see past that fog. But I would say, keep looking up. Also don’t hold it in. It’s okay to be sad and express your grief; everyone grieves differently. You just have to keep looking forward and looking up. HS
