The CEO of Empowered Living, a multi-time TEDx speaker, host of The You-est You Podcast and the author of the Get a PHD in You series, Julie Reisler helps YOU discover what lights your fire for your life.
Find out how Julie followed her passion in the Find Your Passion Career Podcast!
Subscribe and download my podcast interview with Julie here on iTunes!
When choosing her major at the University of Rochester, Julie knew that her education had to align with her passion for understanding how humans feel and express their emotions. Initially, she imagined that she would chase this passion through the Pre-Med track. Instead she double majored in Psychology and Public Health which she found to be the perfect combination of her passions and strengths.
After graduation she worked for Hillel, an organization focused on building Jewish communities on campus and engaging Jewish students. “One of the things I really started to get interested in was having a deeper spiritual connection to myself, to others…” Julie’s career flourished in this environment. While she was working on running an international social justice program with Hillel, she visited a Panera (only 9 locations at them time) and was drawn to the community surrounding the restaurant.
Trusting Her Intuition
Julie recalls having an “inner wisdom thought” that told her to apply to work with this company. She sent in her resume and got a position as a manager—she was told to work for 5-6 months to learn operations and corporate will see if they have a position with them.
Julie was then hired to corporate as the recruiter and to lead guest relations. She worked with Panera for 11 years and became the Director of Recruiting and Guest Relations. Her biggest take away from this experience is to trust your gut and make opportunities for yourself if you don’t see one available.
“Opportunities are everywhere. This [Panera job] didn’t exist, this wasn’t a position. I just trusted my intuition.”
Side Hustles that Ignite Your Flame
While working with Panera, Julie began to explore her other passions through continued education and side-hustles. She got her Masters in Health and Wellness Coaching and Nutrition while still working full time and creating an intensive personal development program and becoming the head coach. While working on these side hustles, Julie had a “light bulb” moment that told her to chase her passions for coaching. “I wanted to something where I was on fire about my purpose and passion.”
She eventually left Panera to follow her passion full time and begin a podcast, write two books and further her career as a coach. “When we are listening and tuning and creating from that place of passion and purpose that’s really where the magic happens”
Now a day in the life for Julie changes but typically includes investing in herself by going to the gym, holding interviews for her podcast, and even traveling for coaching sessions.
Her advice for those unsure of their life’s purpose? “Notice what gives you energy and where you feel sparked and that can be a clue. You could be an RA and decide, ‘I really love the whole world of coaching or working with people and helping them’… Paying attention to what you love to do–even outside of the academic curriculum.”
Subscribe and download my podcast interview with Julie here on iTunes!
After hearing Julie’s story of chasing passions in a nonlinear career path, take a quiet moment to focus on your purpose. What lights your fire? What can you create to help others?
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