Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Julia Franzén, 31, is a Swedish life coach, personal trainer, influencer and, TV personality. Julia grew up in Lerum, a small city outside of Gothenburg, but lives in Marbella, Spain. She is passionate about inspiring people via her social channels and is also the Bachelorette in the new TV program Bachelorette Sweden 2021.
Your journey until today has been long. You have had a variety of occupations and have lived in over 40 destinations around the world. Can you tell us about your work and how you ended up where you are today?
Yes! I think it all started when I was 14 and went to school in Lerum. One day, a 13-year-old boy committed suicide. I knew him and he was a friend of the family. Even though he was a bit of an "outsider" and very quiet, it still came as a shock. I guess that he stuck out in his silence in one way, but still, nobody expected it.
This tragic event caused my behavior toward others to change overnight. I understood that if I could only have been there for him, I might have been able to help him. I was completely inconsolable after this and became a whole new person. I understood the meaning of helping others and somewhere the passion for life coaching grew.
In the city I grew up in, Lerum, there were a lot of problems with mental illness and it could be seen all around us. I was very young and at that age, you are shaped so much. So yes, I found my calling in life very early. Even though I didn't understand exactly what it meant then.
There is also another side to it. I have always dared to do a lot of things and dared to throw myself into them. And what I learned is that you always come out of it alive and that you have developed enormously.
I have dared to try so many different things. I have competed in Bikini fitness, participated in the TV shows Robinson and Bachelorette Sweden, I have tried different professions, and I have lived in many different countries. And all of these things have one thing in common: All these different trials have been about meeting people and connecting with them. To meet different kinds of people, listen to them, help them, etc, It's something I'm passionate about.
Also, I try to remind myself that I'm not as interesting as I think. I am just a normal person. At the end of the day, no one is lying in their bed and thinking about me. No one really cares in the end. I do what feels good to me and just follow my dreams.
Life coaching feels like the obvious profession for me. That's what I'm good at!
What made you interested in personal development and when did you know you wanted to become a life coach?
I answered this a bit in the previous question. But at an early stage, I tried to reason with myself and ask myself what I like to do in my spare time and what I am good at? And then I realized that I love talking to and meeting new people and solving their problems.
For a while, I was into starting a travel agency... But then I concluded that I actually already coach myself and my loved ones all the time and then I thought “Wow! Imagine being able to do this with other people as a full-time job?!”
Being a strong and successful woman in today's society can be very stressful in some aspects. What tips do you have for other women who dream of starting their own business and following their dreams?
I have thought about this a lot. And what I come up with quite spontaneously is that the only thing to have as a mantra is "What is the worst that can happen?"
For example, I started with Youtube before I became public. And I thought it was so embarrassing! What if no one would like what I do? What if people thought it was "cringe"? What if no one is watching? But the truth is that no one remembers a failed business idea. No one remembers a failed Youtube channel. People only remember what you achieve! You do not lose anything by testing. I tried Youtube, It didn't work out, and I moved on.
I was also very touched when I worked in the home care service and talked to older people. I remember an old woman saying: “Julia life goes so fast, one day you're just sitting here. Do what you want and what you think is fun!”. I listened to this and decided to invest in my life. Live my life the way I want to!
Then I experience that men, in general, are usually "braver" and are more encouraged to be successful and dare to dream bigger financially, compared to women. They should always "dare to invest" and become "successful", but it feels like women need more encouragement in order to also dare. My advice is to just do it! As a woman, we tend to choose safe professions, but I think you should aim high and see where it takes you.
Why should it only be men who dare to dream of being successful and rich? I also want to do it and I want others to be able to do it.
What makes you feel "outside your comfort zone"?
To be determined and make clear conclusions. To say no. This applies to all people but also business partners. I do not like to disappoint people. I have said yes many times but I must learn to say no.
Is there anything you would like to get better at or explore about yourself?
Yes! Again, I wonder why it is mostly men who dare to dream of getting rich? I am trying to dream big and not stop at success. How can I achieve that little extra?
For example, if I start a new brand, I want to not only think about reaching the Swedish market, but also the global market!
What would you like to say to your younger self?
I would probably say this: If you have a business idea or have big dreams, it can feel quite far away from the goal. Almost impossible to get there sometimes. But it's just a matter of taking it one step at a time. Compare it to when you drive a car! When you drive a car you do not sit and wait for all the traffic lights to turn green. First, you drive to the first traffic light, then when it turns green you drive on to the next one. It is the same with dreams. You must always take the first step! And from there on you grow and move forward.
So, what's the next big goal or project for Julia and how can someone get in touch with you?
I have been an influencer for a while now, and I have realized that I only advertise for other brands and It isn't directly my passion. It feels like I'm employed by the companies and the amount of money I get paid does not matter anymore. I feel that the way I want to spend my days and how I want to work is only related to the life coaching part. I only want to work with it and I want all of my focus to go to helping and inspiring others. My goal is to start a health center soon! It will be a health center where you can go when you feel mentally ill, and then you will leave it as a completely new person. To simplify, I want to work on my brand.
If you are interested in contacting me, you can visit my website, Instagram, or contact me via email: privat@juliafranzen.com.
