About Joanna Lindenbaum

I believe with every fiber in my being that women have the power to transform the world. Because of this, I coach busy women who are looking to nourish their creativity and take their lives to the next level. I partner with my clients to create vitality, passion, and fulfillment in their lives. These women are often already working on or are ready to embark on projects that will launch them out into the world to have a voice, create inspiration, and take action. Whether you want to change careers or find a healthy balance in your life, I can support you in being as BIG as you can be.

That's one of my personal missions!

Why do I do the work I do? My story...

I am completely passionate about helping women reclaim their intuition and power in the world because I know firsthand how important and transformative it can be! By utilizing my unique business and life coaching skills and techniques in my own life, I have overcome illness, overhauled careers and built a successful business based on my heart's desires, have created a loving and supportive marriage with the man of my dreams…and now my newest "journey" – I have given birth and become a mother to an amazing baby girl!

But it took A LOT to get here!!!!!

Eight years ago, I was a contemporary art curator at a major New York museum, on a track to promotions and bigger responsibilities. I found myself in a job & career that I enjoyed very, very much, but something felt missing. It was almost as if I knew there was a part of myself and my life that was completely unchartered, unexplored and unrecognized. It was as if I was ignoring an essential part of my soul. Also, I worked very long hours, was underpaid, had no time for a social or romantic life, smoked, and ate spaghetti most nights: I frequently felt tired, overworked, overwhelmed, stuck in the "same old", and disconnected from my heart and the potential I knew I could achieve.

In mid-March of 2001 I woke up one morning and noticed that there was something very wrong – the left side of my face was completely drooping! It turned out that I had Bell's Palsy – a condition that paralyzes the whole side of the face. My eye was lodged open (I couldn't close it and had to wear an eye patch); the muscles on my cheeks and mouth wouldn't move to let me smile, talk clearly, eat or drink. I had to eat everything in liquid form with a straw. I spent a month hiding out in my apartment, scared to show my face and interact with the world!

In retrospect, getting Bell's Palsy was one of the best things that ever happened to me because it invited me to finally take a closer look at my life and the way I was living it. During that month that I hid from the world, I knew I had hit rock bottom, and that one of the causes of the Palsy was my own anxiety and disconnection from self. I knew it was time to finally tap into my intuition and connect with my heart's desire to reshape my life and career, and live it the way I really wanted to. And that's what I did. I spent a lot of time learning about myself, learning about what I really wanted out of life, and committing to get there. I also learned a lot about slowing down and self-care – two things that I now recognize as absolutely essential to being a successful leader. Through acupuncture, lifestyle change, coaching, journaling, visualization and unlocking my creativity, I was able to overcome the Bell's Palsy without any medication (even though my doctor told me it would be impossible!).

Within two years of getting the Bell's Palsy, I had left my job to start my own business that I was passionate about, increased my income, managed my work hours so that I had plenty of time for self-care and socializing, attracted the man that would eventually become my husband, quit smoking, started a yoga and visualization practice and found myself feeling fulfilled and connected much of the time!

People often asked me how I was able to do this, saying; "Weren't you scared?" Well, yes – I was terrified! However, similar to many women out there, I just couldn't, not for one more day, live a life that was out of alignment with my heart's desire. Uncovering my passion and my intuition gave me the courage to take the risk and change my life!

I now teach and coach women how to accomplish their big goals and dreams while also feeling balance and joy in their personal lives. You deserve to be as BIG and JOYFUL as possible, and the world needs your gifts and talents and all you were meant to bring forth…but in order to do that it so vitally important to make time for yourself, listen to your intuition, and act from your heart.

So, now, the question is: "What have both you and the world missed out on because you haven't yet truly committed to knowing and living the greatness of who you are?"

My experience and interests...

For the last 12 years I have extensively studied and practiced journaling, meditation, movement therapies, women's spirituality and rituals from around the world, art, public speaking, workshop development, leadership training, public dialogue systems, organization systems and time management systems. I received my B.A. in Art History from Rutgers College and my M.A. from Hunter College. I am a Certified Graduate of Coach U's Core Essentials Program, the EnergyRich Business Boot Camp, as well as a graduate of the Priestess Path Apprenticeship Program and the WomanWheel Apprenticeship Program.

I have presented over 200 thought provoking workshops internationally, including seminars at Omega Institute, Renfrew Center, Womb & Belly Conference, and Womongathering. In 2004, I was flown to Botswana, Africa to teach local women my signature class Everyday Bliss (created with Dawn Copeland); the class inspired these women to start businesses and support groups that exist to this day. Along with Dawn Copeland, I have also created Journey to Yourself: a 6-month experimental empowerment program that has radically healed and transformed the lives of many women.

Writing is a passion of mine. I have published articles on subjects ranging from contemporary art to multiculturalism to goal setting to emotional eating. These articles have been published in books, international magazines, and organizational newsletters. I also have had the privilege of participating as a delegate in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and it re-inspired my commitment to healing the world, one woman at a time.

I live in Brooklyn with my husband Jon, and my daughter Penina. I am a true Virgo at heart, and am in complete gratitude to all of the family, friends, colleagues and mentors who have helped to shape the woman I am. Most importantly, I am grateful to my amazing clients and the community I have created through Soulful Coaching for Busy Women: you have taught me so much!