We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Henning a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Julia, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
As someone who finds comfort in expressing themself, someone who isn’t afraid to be seen, and someone who enjoys putting themselves out into the world, I am not a stranger to the experience of having haters. I’ve always been keenly aware that with every amount of praise and every celebration, there must be a balance of criticism and destruction. Reflecting on even having haters and nay-sayers is one thing, but being honest with myself on how I persist despite these distractions is another. And perhaps therein lies my answer. I have found that haters and nay-sayers are a distraction to living. They interfere with my intentions, my desires, and my goals. However, haters provide a valuable tool. They offer a mirror of perception that, if utilized with humility and integrity, can offer you insight into how your intentions align with the impact you have on the world around you. If there is valuable evidence for a better, more effective, or honest way of operating that a hater provides, I believe it would be unproductive not to heed the insight of someone who is experiencing me objectively. But that process requires a deeper self-awareness of what to take and what to let go of; I have to be subjective about what is meaningful to me and what is drivel. Speaking of, I had a nasty review once on my podcast that had the deep power and intention to hurt me as a person. However, I decided to see this as an opportunity to understand what this reviewer was expressing and then realized how I could make productive changes from this feedback. Granted, the feedback wasn’t about the work; it was directed at who I am as a person. Referring to my previous point, the hater is a distraction from the work, from the intention. I am able to change, and I will. That would be the primary way, the most tangible pathway I could offer in relation to persisting despite hate: be willing to change. If you aren’t willing to expand, grow, or enhance yourself, you run the risk of stagnation and complacency, thus leading to further self-hate and a lack of productivity, both in work and in life. I also remind myself constantly: anything that anyone else has to say about me is something I have already thought about myself, so if I am doing the work to honor and take care of myself, I don’t really give a shit if someone else feels the need point out my flaws, as if I don’t already know them. The cliche that hate is a reflection of the person giving it, not just the person forced to receive it, exists for a reason. There is a duality in hate. I persist in knowing that I have your attention; you are thinking of me, so whether I am doing or exhibiting something you like or don’t like, you are choosing to interact with me in some way. I have made an impact on your life, and even if it’s not the one I hope for, I persist in knowing I have brought something to the table to either be molded or consumed. I went viral last year on TikTok for a video in which I discovered a hidden crawl space in my home. I had fun creating jovial content surrounding the topic but went into an unfathomable despair after readying five minutes of comments. Instead of focusing on what strangers were telling me to do or what they thought of me, I did what felt right to me! I made more content, and then I stopped when I felt like it. My intention wasn’t to please; it was to have an experience. An experience that led to opportunities, a platform, and recognition. I didn’t stop and think about what a random person was saying about me; I was busy having an abundant experience! Once I felt fulfilled and completed with that experience, I moved on. That would be the other offering; move on. Life is too short to focus on things that don’t make you feel good. To the best of my intention, I live and practice my work in alignment with my core values, all of which honor and celebrate the human condition. I practice gratitude for each day, not all the things that are working or going well, but literally for just waking up every single day. I try to hold empathy for those who feel it is in their best interest to outwardly express their desired downfall of another. To me, that sounds like a really sad existence. Haters and nay-sayers are a distraction to why I am here. I thank them for their efforts, but I move on and focus on what matters to me. Be in touch with why you are here, what gets you out of bed every day, and believe in it. Let that be stronger than any person who thrives on you doubting yourself. And when that fails, I rely on this: karma is a bitch.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, certified mastery method life coach, event host & producer, self-help author and public speaker, and podcaster. With over a decade of holistic wellness experience and a master’s in psychology, I revel in the chance to hold a healing space for you. Combining my passion for the human condition, the wisdom of self-development, psychological education, and a plethora of eclectic life experiences, I invite individuals into a permission-filled conscious collaboration with their purpose and pleasure. Currently, I am producing my next fall immersive retreat experience with signups being launched this spring online, as well as working on a self-help book focusing on the skills for living many people often are not equipped with in order to trust themselves as they make decisions and manifest in the world around them. I find that what excites me most about my work is that is applicable to anyone who is questioning their purpose and existence at large. I truly love the concept of being human as much as I love being human, and having a profession that enables me to talk about that, connect with others, and hopefully offer some acceptance in the precarious journey of navigating the unknown is something that feels special to me every day.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I believe the willingness to take risks, knowing how to express myself clearly, and taking time to enjoy life are three aspects of my journey that feel the most impactful. The ability and the willingness to try new things, to take leaps of faith, to fail, to be embarrassed, to start over, and to do what feels good are risks that no one can prepare you for. It requires trust and faith, not only in yourself but in the world at large. Having something to believe in, beyond yourself, is something I would advise anyone who is early in their personal or professional journey. This lends itself to being able to express yourself. I find it has served me to be vulnerable, to be able to communicate my thoughts in an effective and generous manner, and to find a literal style of expression that I could be remembered for. Anyone can write the same email with the same sign-off, but making those things personal is what people remember. It’s what people relate to. Finding a way to express yourself, whether it be through verbal communication, style, and dress, the way in which you connect with others, or the way you share yourself at all, is important. It communicates more than just the message; it implies intention and, again, builds trust and connection. And lastly, enjoying life is key. Though it can be a fleeting emotion, the pursuit of happiness is everything. If you are operating under the belief that life is all hustle, all work, all survive, there is no room for play, ease, and thriving. Balance is essential, of course, and the ability to enjoy things in life doesn’t require as much as many believe. Finding things that make you feel alive is imperative. For me it is driving and seeing a sunset, or a nice meal with loved ones, or travel, or a hobby that allows me to see what I am capable of, or even reveling in your stillness is the fuel behind life. Whatever fills you with joy and a sense of authenticity is the biggest piece of advice I would offer to anyone on anything. Because if you don’t have your ‘why’, if you don’t know why you are doing all this work, why you are getting out of bed every day, then what is the point of anything? Find your why, take the risk, express your truth, and enjoy what happens.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is an individual who wants to make changes. Often compared to therapy, life coaching is a portal and a container for individuals to examine themselves and process their experiences. However, where therapy tends to take a more active listening approach, coaching takes on a more collaborative, action-oriented approach. In coaching, we want you to take the awareness and the acceptance of processing your emotions and experiences and then align that intention into action. My ideal client is someone who is open to taking emotional risks, someone who is open-minded about change, and someone who is ready and willing to do the work in whatever way the work presents itself. Whether you are seeking to make changes in your profession, in your relationships, in your daily habits and routines, or you have an idea and don’t know where to start, I am the point person in supporting you in getting what you truly want. An ideal client is someone with the resources and the trust that the process will look different for everyone, but for anyone who wants something in life and isn’t sure how to get it, I welcome you into a safe space with your desires.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamjuliahenning.com
- Instagram: @iamjuliahenning
Image Credits
Dan Mannes, Star Franco
