Helping Others Overcome Stress, Avoid Burnout & Lead with Purpose

Faces of the Berkshires Spotlight

A Conversation with Julie Haagenson (she/her)

Owner of New Pathways Coaching & Consulting. Entrepreneur. Life coach. Culture builder. Relationship alchemist. These are just a few of the ways to describe Julie Haagenson. Get to know her in this Berkshires Spotlight conversation.

When did you first come to the Berkshires?

When I was an undergrad at UMASS Amherst. I came out here with a friend to visit their family home in Stockbridge and see James Taylor at Tanglewood. I remember just being enchanted with the area. I had no idea at the time that I would end up back here to raise my family. 

How did your work as an educator and Program Director at the Montessori middle school in Lenox evolve into creating your coaching business?

I’m a certified professional coach. After working at Montessori, my natural inclination as I started my business was to work with young people. As I began to get out and network more and do work with the Blackshires Leadership Accelerator, the Dulye Leadership Experience, and with the 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program, I just heard over and over from so many people that there was a real interest in overcoming overwhelm and managing life transitions. From adolescents to adults, educators to executives, people would hear what I do and were like, ‘I could really use that!’ And I think a lot of my work just comes through my own personal experience of doing the same, and my upbringing.

What inspired you to call your business New Pathways?

The name New Pathways really has a double meaning. It represents the idea of creating a vision and using a path that aligns with that vision, but it also has to do with the science behind transforming stress. The work is really science-based, training the brain to develop new pathways. It’s about the nervous system and brain training. You have the capacity to rewire your brain just based on your thoughts and your actions, being conscious of what’s happening inside your body. It’s pretty amazing. 

Right now, I’m fine tuning and focusing mostly on leadership development and helping people overcome stress, avoid burnout, and lead with purpose. I do that through facilitating experiences that cultivate self-awareness, engagement, and belonging, and helping leaders expand their influence within their communities and their organization by helping them align with their values, their talents, and skills. 

What is the best part of being a business owner in the Berkshires?

There are so many resources. The huge local network that I’ve created is really in large part due to that, and it started with my connections through education, then nonprofits, and people spreading the word about me.

What do you most like about the Berkshire lifestyle?

I love the access to community and the wide range of culture and art. Places like Kripalu that work hard to be inclusive of the community. The access to nature and outdoor resources. Plus, there are so many ways to plug into the community.

What’s your idea of a perfect weekend in the Berkshires?

A morning walk at Onota Lake or rollerblading on the bike path near Cheshire Lake. Picking flowers at Woven Roots Farm and going to farmer’s markets. Dinner at Frankie’s or Once Upon a Table, seeing an outdoor show at Jacob’s Pillow, checking out First Friday with all the music, and going for a drink at District or Methuselah. I also like to just sit in my backyard with my family and my firepit and roast marshmallows!

What five words describe the Berkshires?

Opportunity, natural beauty, community, and culture. And home. It’s just been a wonderful place to raise a family. 

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