Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Valbuena.
Julie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been a curious person. You could find me asking a lot of questions and researching a bit more when something interested me a lot. I consider it a blessing and a curse.
As I got older and life started testing me —as it usually does— I notice now that I had started to lose some of this curiosity. After having my three kids back to back and settling into my life as a mom, that thirst for knowledge started dwindling.
I became complacent, seeking comfort and safety instead of looking around in wonder. Looking back, I think it was my way of dealing with the chaos of having three kids under four. The constant uncertainty and exhaustion had shut down my curious spirit.
That being said, I do believe that we tend to go back to our true nature, one way or another.
For me, it was my divorce. My whole world was turned upside down. I never expected it to be so jarring. After all, my parents had been through the same and it hadn’t looked that bad to me.
What followed was a long journey of diving deep to reclaim that curiosity. After playing the standard blame game for some time, I embarked on a long journey of self-awareness.
I started reading more, this time favoring titles related to the mind and its fascinating workings. I started listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and attending whatever workshop or conference I could. I was looking for solace and healing, but what eventually ensued was a beautiful re-connection with myself.
Don’t get me wrong. There was no shortage of pain, fear, and doubt in the process. But the other side feels fantastic.
Now, I work with women who, like me years ago, are going through a divorce and needing support. I combine my yoga background with my life coaching experience to provide a comprehensive first-aid kit to get them back to life.
The way I see it, our days here are numbered. It pains me to see amazing women around me spending them enveloped in sadness and worry. If I can use my journey to help them, I can die happy!
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?
Is there even such thing as “easy“?!? LOL
This road has been long and winding. After my divorce, my self-esteem took a huge hit. Days felt long and nights even longer. I couldn’t sleep, I put on weight, I isolated myself. My limiting beliefs multiplied and took over the steering wheel. It sucked. A lot.
But all that led me to where I am today. I love being able to use my knowledge to help other women, and connect with them at a deeper level.
And then comes launching your own business. It’s a rollercoaster ride in itself. There are a million moving parts! And let’s not forget mental battles you fight in your head! In the end, if you’re not fully in you’ll most likely give up. It’s a truly self-selective process.
There’s a quote that alludes to calm waters never making good sailors. I’m a firm believer in that. Growth requires some pain, otherwise what’s the point?
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I decided to get certified as a yoga instructor after having my third baby in a desperate attempt to have a sense of purpose.
What I learned on my mat, as well through teaching, transferred over to my life off the mat. I started noticing a lot of mindset shifts that were impacting my life positively.
Years after my divorce I decided to get certified as a Life Coach. The same thing happened. I started applying the principles I learned and noticed the changes.
One day, I realized that I had a lot of knowledge and experience that could help other women. My girlfriends would often turn to me for advice. I decided to create a program that combines both disciplines, as well as my love for health and fitness, to help empower women who are struggling after their divorce.
I believe there is more than one dimension of healing. You need to focus on often overlooked aspects like nutrition and physical movement, as well as mindset and purpose. That’s how can clean up the inner turmoil
and move forward stronger and happier.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Growing up, my parents had an… interesting relationship. I learned early on what an unhappy marriage was. Of course, like many of us, I followed their footsteps because I didn’t know any better.
My mother is a strong, nurturing woman with a killer sense of humor, but she sank pretty deep after her divorce. I thought this was just what happened when your marriage ended, so that set the tone for me.
I’m sure that if I had not lived through all this, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Perhaps all this comes back to me wanting to see my mom happy and thriving. (Love you, Mami!)
Contact Info:
- Website: julievalbuena.com
- Email: hello@julievalbuena.com
- Instagram: jvalb2.0
Image Credit:
Jorge Otero Instagram: @picsbyjorge
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