Meet Joie Lamar | PhD Student – Veterinary Medicine Engineering, Writer, Artist, and Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joie Lamar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joie Lamar, what are you inspired by?
I am deeply inspired by the symbiotic relationships that exist within our natural world, as well as between different animal species. It’s a beautiful, organic bartering system that operates without the constraints of politics, capitalism, and other negative emotions. As humans, my hope for us is that we can learn to be truly united, not just with each other but with the universe as a whole.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I lead a complex and fulfilling life that others often find confusing and difficult to comprehend. As an electrical engineer specializing in telecommunications and alternative energy solutions, I have been fortunate to travel the world and positively impact the planet. However, I realized I had been stifling my creativity for many years and decided to write my memoirs and life stories in 2015. What started as a simple journal soon became a passion, as I discovered I had stories to tell from my life and imagination. This was a life-changing experience for me, as I could finally unleash my inner author and storyteller and create characters representing my community – Latin, non-binary, LGBTQ+, and more. I felt I was putting the books I had always been searching for in my youth on shelves for future generations. This creative release also awakened the painter and artist in me, who had long been suppressed in favour of pursuing a “good paying job as an engineer” that my parents wanted for me. While I have no regrets, writing and painting now feel like home, and I knew there was still more I needed to do.

During the pandemic-induced lockdown in Canada, I found myself spending more time at home and engaging in activities like watching movies, playing games, creating art, and reading books. However, I noticed a lack of LGBTQ+ literature available in the market. Most traditional publishers did not seem to invest in our community, and my own stories were often considered niche or a “genre.” This is despite the fact that 2SLGBTQ+ writers produce great books in every genre, featuring characters that we can identify with.

Moreover, book banning had made a comeback, and it seemed like society was regressing towards controlling what people read and think. This was a cause of concern for me, as I believe in the importance of free thinking and education.

In this moment of solitude and contemplation, the idea of Brainspired Publishing came to me. It is a traditional publishing company that is exclusively dedicated to promoting 2SLGBTQ+ writers and authors. Our mission is to counter the book-banning culture that threatens to stifle young minds and limit free thinking.

I brought this idea to my dear friend and media mogul, Anotine ElHashem, and together, we have put Brainspired Publishing in motion. Although it’s still in its infancy and start-up mode, we’ve been learning a lot, and each year has been more successful than the last. We’re enjoying the journey and gearing up for big growth.

Additionally, I made a bold decision to pursue my lifelong passion for working with animals, leaving behind my successful career as an electrical engineer. I graduated with honours from CDI College in BC and became a certified Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Assistant. After gaining experience in the field, I am now a PhD student in Veterinary Medicine Engineering at the University of Guelph and working at an animal hospital in Durham Region. The most significant blessing in my life is being mentored by the renowned Temple Grandin, a Distinguished Professor at the Department of Animal Science at Colorado State University. In my personal time, I am a devoted Buddhist, committed to maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit and giving back to the community. “I have dedicated myself to my passions, and as a result, I have been fortunate enough to receive several awards. Among them are the INSPIRE Awards Community Heart Award and the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and Award. However, the most significant reward for me is the inner peace that comes from doing for others without any personal gain or agenda – simply because it helps. There is no greater feeling than making a difference in someone’s life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Toronto is known for its diversity, which is reflected in its many unique neighbourhoods and world-renowned restaurants. Visitors can experience a range of cuisines as the city offers it all. However, as much as the city is vibrant and fun, I find the areas outside the city to be more beautiful. The surrounding lakes and what Canadians call “cottage country” are breathtaking. I highly recommend visitors to indulge in outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, camping, glamping, hiking, and exploring the many natural wonders found here. Though Toronto is undoubtedly one of the most exciting cities in the world, the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the surrounding lakes and protected areas make it unique.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people to thank for who I am today and my accomplishments. I am proudly Puerto Rican and Taino Indigenous. I could not be the survivor that I am without the strength and resilience I learned from my Mother, family, and culture. I feel my ancestors and what they wanted from me every second of my life.

I have also been blessed with friends who wanted more for me than they did for themselves. We grew up on hard streets in various boroughs or hoods of New York City. The many lessons, laughs, and often frightening experiences—to put it mildly—made us real badasses, but I had goals outside of that realm that every one of my friends invested in. They never let me get “lost in the streets.”

My children, grandchildren, and now great-granddaughter are now part of a legacy that, unbeknownst to them, drives me to leave this world a better place than the one I was born into. They make me better.

My beautiful wife and the love of my life. To say that she supports me in every way and unconditionally puts it so mildly. My vocabulary could never be adequate enough to describe how she shares in my success in everything I do. I am a stepless ladder without her – pointing upwards but it is with her every rung of support and love that I ascend.

Website: www.joielamar.com , www.brainspiredpublishing.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/joielamar , https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainspired-publishing/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JustJoie

Image Credits
Artwork: Joie Lamar, RiCANADIAN Art Books: Brainspired Publishing Headshot and Together w/wife: Joie and Natalie Lamar