Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julia Hartman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Julia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the biggest risks I ever took was moving across the country to a city where I didn’t know anyone and had no connections. I grew up in a suburb outside of Philadelphia and at 19 I moved into the city for undergrad, and then moved to central Jersey for grad school, always dreaming of moving to New York City when I finished school. After graduating, I realized how challenging it was to get a job in NY. Instead, I landed a position in Philly and spent the next 3.5 years working for a corporate healthcare company. It was a great job—I traveled often, loved the city life, and was surrounded by friends and family. Yet, despite all this, I couldn’t shake this feeling of wanting something more.

My first visit to Los Angeles was soon after I graduated from undergrad for vacation with friends and I told my parents about my desire to move to LA. Their response was both encouraging and freeing: “There is nothing holding you back; you should go!” But just a day after that conversation, I received my acceptance letter to grad school, and I decided to focus on earning my master’s degree instead. Fast forward to 2014, and the idea of relocating to LA came back to me as I considered my next move towards change. I began telling friends and family, “In June 2015, I’m moving to LA.” I’m sure they thought it was a bit extreme and just another one of my big dreams, but I set my intention and started making it happen.

June 2015 arrived, and the night before my move to Los Angeles, the woman who had agreed to rent me an apartment backed out, choosing to Airbnb her place instead. With my belongings and car already on their way to LA, I was faced with the challenge of finding a new place to live. Luckily, my mom’s friend connected me with her sister in LA who allowed me to stay with her temporarily until I found an apartment. So I had my boxes shipped to her place and slept in her living room for a couple weeks until I found a room to rent. Those first few months in LA were rough! Despite my degrees and experience, finding a job in my field proved to be more challenging than I thought it would be. I survived on a small budget, juggling a few clients from my growing practice, working as an adjunct professor, and taking up shifts in clothing stores. My meals often consisted of cheese and crackers, I slept on an airbed in a small room, sharing an apartment with two roommates (who became my first friends in LA) . There were so many times I questioned whether I had made a mistake by making such a big move.

It was during those tough times that I realized why I was on this journey. I was uncomfortable, yes, but it was that very discomfort that drove me to seek change and challenge myself. I came to understand that growth often comes from embracing the struggle. Eventually, the hard work and perseverance paid off. I found my footing in LA, built a successful career, and created a fulfilling life for myself. This leap of faith made me stronger, more confident, and resilient. It taught me that taking risks and facing challenges head-on can lead to the most incredible transformations.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that true growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and daring to follow your dreams. Embrace the discomfort, trust the process, and believe in yourself. The journey may be tough, but the rewards are worth every struggle.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Life Coach, and adjunct professor. In my practice, I specialize in helping clients navigate the complexities of dating, relationships, attachment disorders, and low self-esteem. Over time, my focus has evolved from working with individuals with anxiety and depression to embracing a more specialized niche that supports individuals in becoming their most authentic selves.

My journey began with a broad approach to mental health, working with those struggling with anxiety and depression. As I gained experience and confidence in my practice, I discovered my true passion: helping people build their confidence, embrace their authentic selves, and find inner peace. One of the most exciting aspects of my work right now is my ongoing training in new therapeutic models specifically designed for healing trauma. I believe that much of human suffering stems from unresolved inner child wounds, and addressing these traumas is essential for achieving a fulfilling life.

Healing these wounds enables individuals to build confidence, achieve personal and professional fulfillment, and experience the joy of being fully themselves. To me, freedom means being comfortable in your own skin, living authentically, and finding happiness and peace. It’s the deep, transformative freedom that comes from understanding and healing your past, and it’s what I strive to help every client achieve.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word of mouth referrals and social media engagement have been the most effective strategy for growing my business. I find that the more I show up on social media, share helpful content, engage in podcasts and other press/media interviews, clients reach out to me through DM or email. Word of mouth referrals are great too! A lot of people trust reviews now (google/yelp), so having a client refer you to a friend or family member is another great way to build clientele. When you’re just starting out don’t be scared or embarrassed to let everyone you know (including clients) that you are accepting new clients and to please spread the word.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

One thing that has helped me grow as a practitioner is life experience. The more trials and tribulations I had to overcome, the more I could relate to my clients and feel more empathy for the challenges they face. Another thing I feel is helpful is having your own therapist and/or coach. I always say that everyone would benefit from therapy, however, I strongly feel that therapist & coaches would benefit from doing their own inner work with a trained professional.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.juliahartmancoaching.com
• Instagram: @jhartmancoaching
• Other: Google Business: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PH8Cyx8rkrNHhcUn6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Image Credits

Lindsey Grace Whiddon