Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Saint-Fleur.
Julie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In July of 2016, I was serving food at a nightclub. Gunshots rang out and in the midst of the chaos, one of the fryers flew up and oil landed on me. I was left with third-degree burns on my entire back down to my legs. After months of hospitalization and out-patient physical therapy, I had to face the world again. Through social media, I showed my progress and what it looked like to live through life-changing events. Here is where my love for writing found its purpose and I published books about a child burn survivor and her journey. I also launched a Survivor Line where burn survivors and our supporters can get merchandise that shows off my burn logo.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This journey has been anything but smooth. When I was initially burned, I had a 4-week intense recovery regimen. It consisted of me having a surgical procedure-not reacting well to it-landing in Intensive Care and repeating the cycle. By the time I was released, I was bound to a walker and had to learn how to completely walk, sit, and sleep again. In that period, I dealt with depression and low self-esteem. It was hard for me to accept the new me. I was fortunate enough to have the support of loved ones, strangers, and other burn survivors to help me out of a dark time.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Survivor Line – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am an author, influencer, and businesswoman. My books and brand represent survivors – burn survivors especially. I am known for my children’s books, which have been featured on syndicated television shows such as “The Doctors”. My apparel and other merchandise bare my logo which is a flame over a lifeline because I wanted ALL survivors to relate to my story in a way. Designing a symbol for ALL of US – who ceased to exist for a moment and found a flame within that pushed us to continue living. My pride and joy is the satisfaction of knowing that lives are being touched and survivors are being inspired to share their stories. My resilience sets me apart from others, at the age of 22 my entire life shifted and I had the option of laying down and being defeated or finding purpose in my pain. Through that purpose, I am not only marketing to others but more so changing lives.
Is there a quality or characteristic that has played an outsized role in your success?
Candor is my best quality. I believe through my transparency and honesty with all my supporters, I opened up a platform where not only could they trust my word but they could also confide in me as well. I’ve been contacted by survivors who have never told their stories or showed their scars but feel a closeness to me that allows them to do so. As private as most would have been while going through my journey, I chose to lay it all out there and I believe that forthrightness is what made me so successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.newlyyou.us
- Phone: 5615414490
- Email: juliesaintfleur@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ju_superhuman_/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuSuperhuman/
- Other: www.juliesaintfleur.com
Image Credit:
Nancy Philemon
Aman Lexidor
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