Life and Work with Julie Applegate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Applegate.

Julie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, living in the throes of alcoholism for the first half of my life, I was a mess. For more than 15 years, I circled the drain and got to the point where I could no longer stop. At the age of 35, I finally had to reach out for help.

I spent the next 12 years learning how to let go of the weapons I once used for survival and pick up the tools I could learn to live with. The shields of armor began to give way and my heart opened once again. It’s been a beautiful yet very challenging transformation.

Part two of my life has been nothing short of a miracle. Today, I surround myself with people who truly love me and keep me accountable. I’m able to travel the world and try things I’d never dreamt possible. I sail, I dive, and I’m a personal trainer, to name just a few.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Honestly, I didn’t see life as a struggle. I lived like everyone else around me lived. I learned how to survive watching them survive. So, I didn’t realize how difficult my life was and how far off track I’d gotten until I no longer had to live that way.

Getting sober required me to find myself because the other-self was no longer working. I had to learn simple things like how to balance a checkbook and how to interact appropriately with others. It was so much more than just putting down the drink it was starting from ground zero.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My work is to empower other women. We live in such a competitive world that as women we criticize one another when instead we need to be connecting with one another. Being a personal trainer, I’m in a position to meet women in a very vulnerable spot. Discussing our bodies and it’s so-called imperfections is uncomfortable stuff.  But by teaching women about fitness, I bridge that gap that separates us. I empower them with knowledge and encouragement. Together, we walk through obstacles that were once seen as impossible. Starting in the gym, that connection and empowerment has the ripple effect and permeates other areas of their lives.  It’s truly amazing to watch.

What sets me apart from the others is the experiences I’ve had during my 47 years. My life path has enabled me to engage with so many different people along the way. And because of that, I’m able to understand the struggle of waking up in the middle of the night panicked by the thought of how you’re gonna pay the rent. I understand the pain of watching as your mom is dying of cancer and the powerlessness that goes along with that. I know what it feels like to not fit in even when amongst the people you call friends. My past experiences now help me be more sensitive in a very insensitive world.  My life has given me challenges that have been turned into gifts.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
First and foremost, spend time and invest in yourself. Ask yourself, what do I really want to do, and what stands in my way? Does it feel impossible? More times than not, it’s us who stand in our way. Not money. Not luck. Not education. It may not end up looking like you once envisioned but it will definitely be yours in the most authentic way.

Next, surround yourself with people who believe in you. That friend that tells you over and over, “you can do it.” The therapist who told you, “the world needs more women like you.” The teacher who encourages you to do better. And let the other ones fall away.

Lastly, change your thoughts about failure. Instead of beating yourself up for something that turned out differently than you’d envision it, ask yourself, “Did I give it a 100% and did I do it with the best intentions?” If you answered “yes” to both of these questions then it was a success. Remember every step is just a part of the journey. All the pieces are important.  They make you the amazing woman you are!

Contact Info:

• Email: julieapplegatecpt@gmail.com
• Instagram: Julieapplegatecpt
• Facebook: Julie Applegate

Image Credit:
Premier Images (#5)

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