Lead Your Own Life Through Change & Transition

Meet Julie Stern, The Cardinal Coach

I’m a Leadership & Life Empowerment Coach. I help individuals and executives break through the fear, uncertainty, and stress that come with life’s biggest transitions. Through deep discovery, courageous focus, and intentional action, I empower my clients to lead their own lives with clarity and confidence—turning uncertainty into opportunity and transition into transformation.

My Story: From Doing It All to Living Fully

I spent years checking all the boxes – building a successful career, earning degrees from top schools, raising a blended family of five, and climbing to the C-suite.

On paper, it looked great. But inside? I was overwhelmed, disconnected, and quietly asking: If I’ve done everything “right,” why don’t I feel fulfilled?

“I had been chasing external success while quietly losing my sense of self.”

That realization changed everything.

Instead of pushing through, I paused. I questioned the roles and rules I’d been living by – and started listening to what I truly wanted.

I chose curiosity over perfection. Courage over expectations. And slowly, I began building a life that actually felt like mine.

This is why I coach.

I know what it’s like to feel stuck in a version of life that no longer fits… and what it takes to step into one that finally does.

The biggest growth doesn't come from staying on the straight line. It comes from embracing the twists, turns, and pivots – and choosing to lead yourself through them.

If you’re in that in-between space, wondering what’s next or whether something more is possible, I’m here for that journey.

Because real transformation doesn’t come from sticking to the plan. It comes from daring to rewrite it.

Are you ready to take the lead in your own life?

  • Coaching isn’t just what I do – it’s how I live. It’s brought me more clarity, meaning, and joy than anything else, and it’s made me a better human in every part of my life.

    We all need someone in our corner. A thought partner who asks the hard questions, challenges us to get honest, and helps us take real action. That’s what coaching is – and that’s why I do this work.

  • There’s nothing cookie-cutter here.

    My coaching is flexible and built around you.

    My space is warm, real, and radically honest. We stretch, challenge, reflect, and probably laugh, too. We go through the discomfort, not around it — because that’s where growth lives.

    I bring credentials, sure. But more importantly, I’ve lived this work — navigating major transitions, juggling career and family, and learning what it takes to grow through real-life complexity. 

    That doesn’t mean I have your answers. It means I know how to walk alongside you while you find them.

  • Everyone is a leader - whether you're guiding a team, raising a family, or just trying to find your footing in the next chapter.

    Leadership starts on the inside. Your thoughts, energy, and choices shape how you show up... and what becomes possible.

    Growth isn't often tidy. It can be a messy, beautiful mix of learning, loss, creativity, and reinvention – the makings of a powerful memoir.

    This work is about finding your way forward with honesty, courage, and heart.

The Heart of My Work

Ready to explore how this transformation applies to you?
Let's dive into how I coach.

My Coaching Approach:
The Cardinal Framework

Grounded in Core Energy Coaching, my work helps you uncover how your energy shapes the way you think, feel, and lead—so you can create meaningful change from the inside out.

The Cardinal Framework builds on that with identity work, mindset science, and meaning-making to help you navigate transitions and reconnect with what matters most. It’s a journey of discovery, resilience, and courageous action—so you can move forward with clarity and power.

The Pains

Spinning in indecision – unsure which way to go and afraid to make the wrong choice.

Juggling nonstop, stuck in stress mode while putting yourself last.

Feeling disconnected from who you are, questioning whether the life you’re living still fits.

Running on autopilot, knowing something has to shift – but not sure where to start.

Living by others’ expectations – and losing touch with what you actually want. 

The Benefits

Find clarity in the chaos – so you can make bold, intentional choices that reflect what truly matters.

Build resilience – so change and uncertainty become stepping stones, not roadblocks.

Reconnect with purpose – so you stop living by default and start creating a life that feels right.

Shift from stuck to momentum – so you move past hesitation and into action.

Navigate transitions with confidence – so you don’t just react to change – you lead yourself through it.

Coaching isn’t about finding quick fixes or waiting for the "perfect moment." It’s about stepping into your own power—right now.

Want to see what this looks like in real life?

Professional Certifications
and Credentials

    • University of Michigan, BA/BS

    • Yale University School of Management, MBA

    • 25+ years’ corporate experience in primarily small-midsize companies with high-growth profiles across healthcare (veterinary, animal health) and real estate industries

    • C-Suite/VP-level Senior Executive, covering Brand/Marketing, Operations, People Strategy, Learning & Development

    • 17 years leading teams & divisions in private equity and M&A corporate environments

    • Co-Founder, Mobile End-of-Life Veterinary Practice

    • Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) 

      • Certified Professional Coach (CPC)

      • Energy Leadership Index – Master Practitioner (ELI-MP)

      • COR.E Dynamics™ Coach, specializing in: Leadership, Performance, Transition, and Wellness

    • International Coaching Federation, ACC

    • International Coaching Federation, Global, Member

    • International Coaching Federation – Central Florida, Member

    • Pet Loss Grief Support Coach

    • CKids Lakeland, Inc., Director

    • Not One More Vet (NOMV)

    • Jewish Federation of Orange County

My Coaching Isn't For Everyone
(And That's OK!)

Coaching isn’t a quick fix. It’s for people who are ready to show up fully and do the work.
If any of these sound like you, we might not be the right fit…. at least not yet:

You’re chasing magic bullets.

(There are no instant fixes. But play full-out, and real magic does happen.)

You’re not fully committed.

(If you’re not all-in on your own growth, this won’t work.)

You avoid being challenged.

(If you resist reflection or dodge hard truths, growth will stall.)

You want someone to tell you what to do.

(Coaching isn’t about answers – it’s about building your capacity to lead yourself.)

Coaching works when you’re ready to do the work.
We’re a fit if you’re all in on your growth, open to challenge, and ready to take action.

FAQs:

What You Need to Know

  • Coaching is a collaborative process that helps you move forward. It’s about breaking through uncertainty, finding clarity, and taking real action toward the life you want.

    Unlike consulting or mentorship, coaching isn’t about giving you answers. It’s about helping you tap into your own wisdom, build confidence, and create lasting change.

    Our sessions are personal, interactive, and results-focused. Expect a mix of deep reflection, bold questions, and practical strategies – all in a supportive, judgment-free space.

  • Coaching vs. Therapy:
    Therapy usually focuses on healing the past. Coaching is about where you are now – and where you want to go. We'll explore emotions and patterns, but the goal is to help you take purposeful action toward your future.

    Coaching vs. Consulting:
    Consultants tell you what to do. Coaches help you figure it out for yourself.
    I’m not the expert on your life – you are.

    My role is to challenge assumptions, offer perspective, and help you create a path that fits you… not hand you a blueprint.

  • Coaching works best if you’re ready to dive in, stay open, and take action.

    You don’t have to have it all figured out. But you do need to be willing to explore, get honest with yourself, and do the work. If you’re open-minded, curious, and ready to move forward, coaching can help you create serious momentum.

    Whether you’re feeling stuck or already making moves, coaching can help you build a path forward with more clarity, confidence, and resilience.

  • I offer a complimentary 15-minute call so we can see if it feels like a good fit.

    If we both feel connected, you’ll get a free 60-minute deep-dive session where we’ll clarify your goals, identify roadblocks, and set a strong foundation for your coaching journey.

    No pressure – just a chance to explore what’s possible.