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

Hi Julie, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.” I have this quote on my phone’s background. That’s how much I like it! I love to remind my clients about their biggest superpower: Choice. It truly is what leads us to empower ourselves and create a life with intention. I believe that you pretty much always have a choice, *especially* when you believe you don’t have one. It’s funny to think back when I was much younger and was convinced that life just sort of happened to me. Choices were an afterthought. That is the easiest way to live as a victim rather than a creator. This quote serves as a non-nonsense reminder of my sense of agency and the freedom to decide. Even if it’s to simply take a deep breath.

What should our readers know about your business?
Leading others has been a passion of mine since I’ve been very young. Whether it was helping my friends study for finals in high school or showing a client how to pursue their dream, this has been a role I’ve been lucky to play for years now. Yoga has been my thing for almost a decade now. I started practicing for myself and then organically started sharing my knowledge with others. What started as a hobby slowly evolved into something bigger, and then I got certified as a Life Coach and decided to combine these two practices to better serve my clients. There are so many parallels between yoga and coaching; it’s truly a beautiful combination of the practical and the transcendental. I find that they complement and build off each other perfectly. This is how I like to set myself apart from other coaches and yoga teachers. We use the breath and asana to tune in, then we explore and take action. I’ve seen some truly amazing breakthroughs with this approach and am excited for the ones to come. The hardest part of getting to where I am today has really been getting out of my own head. I giggle at how easy it is for me to help my clients unpack their issues, but when it’s my turn it can feel overwhelming. It’s been about facing fears, a nasty case of impostor syndrome, and the belief that everyone knows what I have to teach. I wish I had a more glamourous obstacle to mention, but it’s just me! The great part of this seemingly eternal battle is how I continue to learn about myself and grow as a result. While it can get very uncomfortable at times, I’ve come to understand that every period of darkness is follows by some amazing clarity. One big takeaway from this path is the power and value of a coach. For years I dreamed of setting up my own business but never seemed to know where to start. When I finally hired a business coach who taught me the steps, things started moving. While doing something new can certainly be done alone, through trial and error, today I’m a huge fan of having someone who’s done it before teach you how. What I want the world to know about my story is that most of the struggles we face have a simpler solution than we believe. There is an inherent solution cohabiting with every issue we face. And there’s nothing more satisfying to me than to remind my clients of the sense of agency they have within.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I love a good meal and some fun people watching. Good conversations over dinner and drinks is all this girl needs to have a good time. Being how I love to be active, the earlier part of the day would consist of a mix of beach, paddleboarding, yoga, or something type of movement. The later part would probably be visiting new restaurants in Wynwood or the beach, followed by drinks in the area. I love how Miami can offer so many different experiences within a same city. Never a dull moment for sure!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to my three amazing children. They’ve been my unwavering cheerleaders and loving supporters, even while I’ve been in the depths of self-doubt. I also want to credit my cousin Shirley, who has been an inspiration and lovingly pushed me to take risks and play big.

Website: www.julievalbuena.com
Instagram: @juliev2.0

Image Credits
Jorge Otero