Julie Smolyansky on Grief, Growth & Leading Lifeway - Terri Cole

In this inspiring conversation, Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway, shares her journey of resilience, healing, and leadership. From escaping the Soviet Union with her family to unexpectedly becoming a CEO at 27 after her father’s sudden passing, Julie opens up about overcoming trauma, sexism, and self-doubt while building a successful business rooted in the mind-gut connection.
She also reveals her passion for advocacy—producing The Hunting Ground to raise awareness about unreported crimes on campus, co-founding Test400k to fight for justice, and navigating the painful boundaries of addiction within her own family. This interview is a powerful reminder that growth, empowerment, and mental health are possible when we honor our truth and lead with courage.

Find Julie at
instagram.com/juliesmolyansky
lifewaykefir.com
test400k.org

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Boundary Boss Book: https://amzn.to/44DZID9
The Boundary Boss Workbook: https://amzn.to/3Ra7CRU

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Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction & Opening Story
0:24 - Host Introduction & Background Setup
2:09 - Immigration Origin Story
4:49 - The Kefir Discovery & Lifeway's Birth
7:30 - Psychology Career Path & Trauma Work
12:00 - Career Pivot Moment
17:16 - Mind-Gut Connection Discovery
18:57 - The Crohn's Disease Call
20:16 - Sudden Leadership Transition
25:08 - Documentary Work & Trauma Advocacy
30:57 - Test400K
34:10 - Future Vision & Business Growth
36:18 - Boundary Struggles & Family Addiction
44:47 - Closing & Contact Information

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About Terri Cole
Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, global relationship and empowerment expert, and the author of Boundary Boss-The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free, The Boundary Boss Workbook, and Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency.

For over two decades, Terri has worked with a diverse group of clients that includes everyone from stay-at-home moms to celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs.

She has a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable so that clients and students achieve sustainable change. She inspires over 450,000 people weekly through her blog, social media platform, signature courses, and her popular podcast, The Terri Cole Show. For more, see https://www.terricole.com/


Resources
Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency: https://hfcbook.com

Boundary Boss Book: https://amzn.to/44DZID9

The Boundary Boss Workbook: https://amzn.to/3Ra7CRU


BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/terricole
I’m not currently taking any new one-on-one therapy or coaching clients, but highly recommend using BetterHelp to find a therapist that fits your needs. As a team, we have fully vetted BetterHelp's resources.

https://www.terricole.com/gethelp/ -- If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger the resources on this page can provide you with immediate help.

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#codependency #resilience #leadership #womenempowerment #womeninbusiness