Meet Larry Baumgartner

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Larry Baumgartner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Larry below.

Hi Larry, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

People often ask where I get my work ethic. It’s not something I learned from a seminar or picked up in a self-help book. It’s something I absorbed — quietly, consistently — by growing up in the Midwest.

In the Midwest, work isn’t something you boast about. It’s something you do. You show up. You stay late if that’s what it takes. You help without being asked. You finish the job even if no one’s watching. And you don’t expect a gold star for doing what’s right.

There’s a kind of quiet pride here — in getting your hands dirty, in pulling your own weight, and in doing the next right thing, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

I saw it in my family. Whether it was my parents heading to work in the dead of winter without complaint or neighbors pitching in during a storm cleanup, the message was always clear: You don’t wait around hoping someone else will step up. You are the someone else.

That mindset shaped me. It taught me that effort matters — not just when the spotlight’s on, but in the little moments that add up to trust and results over time.

Midwestern work ethic is about humility and hustle. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being the one people know they can count on.

So yes — I do believe my work ethic is a Midwest thing. It’s a deeply ingrained value system: one built on resilience, responsibility, and showing up with your sleeves rolled up and your ego in check.

It’s not flashy. But it’s real. And it’s what I bring to every role, every client, every commitment.

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?

Thank you — I’m glad to share more about what I do and why it matters to me.

I’m a licensed therapist and the founder of Best Hope Therapy, where I work with couples and individuals who are navigating everything from infidelity and intimacy struggles to anxiety, depression, and big life transitions. I specialize in solution-focused therapy, which means I ask thoughtful, strategic questions that help people tap into their own strengths, skills, and past successes — not just to feel better temporarily, but to move toward what they actually want their life and relationships to look like.

What makes this work so meaningful — and what excites me most — is seeing people reclaim hope in situations that once felt overwhelming. I love helping couples move from disconnection back to intimacy, or watching someone rediscover their confidence after months of self-doubt. It’s about helping people create their “instead”: instead of conflict, more connection; instead of shame, more self-trust; instead of just surviving, a way forward that actually feels right.

Professionally, I bring a unique lens to this work because of my background in both media and real estate. I’ve worked in fast-paced, high-pressure environments — and I deeply understand what it means to look like you have it all together on the outside while quietly unraveling on the inside. That insight shapes how I connect with high-achieving professionals, including many in real estate and broadcasting, who need support but also want someone who gets it.

Right now, I’m especially excited about our recent expansion in Northeast Florida. Best Hope Therapy is now seeing clients in-person at our Palencia–St. Augustine office, with immediate openings for couples and individuals. We also continue to offer virtual therapy throughout Florida and Minnesota.

Whether it’s a same-day appointment to help you gain clarity fast or a longer journey toward repair and growth, we’re here to ask the right questions, help you move forward, and support you in creating what’s next.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that made the biggest difference in my journey were resilience, curiosity, and communication.

Resilience showed up in the quiet moments — the rejections, the pivots, the days I questioned everything. Staying in the game, even when progress was invisible, taught me that consistency often matters more than certainty. If you’re early in your journey, my advice is this: Don’t confuse slow growth with failure. Resilience isn’t about being unshaken; it’s about moving forward anyway.

Curiosity kept me learning. Whether I was switching industries, launching my therapy practice, or trying to understand what wasn’t working in a client session, curiosity gave me permission to ask better questions — about myself, my work, and the people I serve. For anyone starting out, I’d encourage you to stay open. Read widely. Ask why. Stay humble enough to keep learning.

Communication was the bridge between what I knew and what I could actually offer others. My background in media taught me how to translate complex stories into meaningful messages — something I now use daily as a therapist and business owner. If you’re early in your career, work on being clear and direct, but also listen more than you speak. Communication is as much about presence as it is about words.

These three skills weren’t always strengths — they were built through trial, reflection, and a lot of imperfect action. The good news? They’re all learnable. You don’t have to have it all figured out to get started — you just have to be willing to keep going.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client isn’t defined by age, background, or relationship status — it’s defined by readiness and openness.

Whether it’s a couple struggling with infidelity or intimacy, or an individual battling anxiety, burnout, or major life shifts, the clients I work best with are those who are willing to be honest, even if it’s messy, and curious about doing things differently, even if they’re unsure how.

They don’t have to have all the answers. In fact, most people come to me overwhelmed, exhausted, or running on autopilot. But what makes them a good fit is their desire to move forward — to try, reflect, and take those next steps, even if they’re small.

Many of my clients are high-achievers — people who are used to performing well on paper but feel disconnected inside. They’re the ones who say, “I should be happy, but I’m not,” or “We look like a great couple from the outside, but we feel like roommates.” I get that. I’ve lived in those worlds too — and I know how to ask the right questions to help them reconnect with what matters.

Ultimately, the best-fit clients for me are the ones who want transformation, not just temporary relief — and who are ready to do the real, hopeful, focused work to get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BestHopeTherapy.com
• Instagram: @BestHopeTherapy
• Facebook: @LMFTLarry
• Youtube: @BestHopeTherapy