Julie Johnson

I want to start my story by saying The Body ALWAYS Wins. I started out at Smith Barney in 1996 bright eyed and ready to conquer the financial world. My father had been horribly misled in a very large investment opportunity when I was in my early twenties, and sadly, he and my mother lost a large portion of what they had worked their entire adult lives to save.

Did he own his decision, absolutely. However that did not make the results any less painful for them.

So, I wanted to become a consultant my clients and my partners could rely on. That goal drove me to become a perfectionist, wanting to be everyone’s everything, all the time.

Remember the Enjoli perfume commercial from the 1970’s and ‘80’s?  A beautiful woman comes home from work in her perfectly starched suit with a sassy smile on her face. She throws down her briefcase, whips off her jacket and pulls out her hair pin shaking out her still perfectly coiffed hair.

Without missing a beat she starts cooking dinner. Then, her handsome Ken doll of a husband comes home with flowers, kisses her like they are straight out of the famous “Return from War” poster, and all is perfect.

That’s who I thought I could be, and attempted to be, for more than 15 years. A career which I dedicated 60 plus hours per week, nights, weekends. Two beautiful kids (thank God they are good!), and a failed marriage.

In 2008, with the market crash, my health crashed as well. Migraines, fainting spells, cognitive challenges. And then my heart began to fail.

As most of us do, I “powered through”. Ignoring these issues, certain they would correct with medication from my cardiologist…  But low and behold, as my horrendous stress level continued, so did my heart failure.  Today I have a pacemaker.

I was the only female partner in a team with 3 other very Alpha male partners. We had a team of 12 people, all of whom I managed. We had $1Bill in assets under management. I was the direct contact for 100 plus clients. This occurring during one of the worst market crashes in our country’s history.

I worked in one of the most egotistical industries in the world. During this time, I did not have a voice, I was not heard by my partners or peers, my contributions were dismissed. And what is worse, I allowed this to happen. Time and time again, I would come to the proverbial table with ideas that I knew would help our clients, our team, our efficiency and our productivity. But the senior partner rarely wanted any collaboration.

I endured this for about 10 years too long. Why didn’t I leave? There are many reasons, but the main one was, I did not believe enough in my self and my worth to think I could do better anywhere else.

I did not leave even when my health was failing because the senior partner was going to retire, and I would take his position. All that I had endure would be worth it.

In 2010, I was forced to leave my career as my cardiologist and neurologist stated very clearly that if I did not substantially reduce the stress in my life, I could die.

The Body Always Wins

After wallowing in anger and self pity for a few years. My brother introduced me to Brene Brown. I was hooked. I began to research shame, worthiness, vulnerability, boundaries, empowerment, loyalty….

Initially all of this research actually made me even more angry, because once I realized my issues of perfectionism, not being able to say no, not standing my ground and believing in myself the way I should have, I wanted so badly to go back and do the previous 17 years over!

What is it they say about hindsight?…

So, I began the journey of wanting to help individuals and teams avoid the mistakes we had made.

Although we were extraordinarily successful, had we taken the time to engage in the communications and build loyalty and trust, our success would have been exponentially greater.  I have studied extensively and been licensed with Brene Brown and her amazing programs. I highly recommend her entire library of books she has written. And most recently, specific to very high powered executive teams, Dare To Lead.

I am an expert in the lifelong communications struggle between men and women and now, between older and younger generations in the workplace. I bring a plethora of unique solutions to this ever evolving challenge. As a public speaker, I am certified globally by The Association for Coaching as well as The National Speakers Association.

I look forward to hearing your story and together beginning your journey of further growth & success.