Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucy Paulise.
Hi Lucy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My career didn’t start with coaching—it started with structure and numbers.
I began my professional journey as an accountant at ExxonMobil. While working there, I studied quality engineering and process improvement, which introduced me to systems thinking and how organizations drive efficiency and performance at scale. That combination of finance, structure, and continuous improvement shaped how I approached work and problem-solving early in my career.
Over time, though, I started noticing something that spreadsheets and processes couldn’t explain: even in highly structured environments, people were exhausted, overwhelmed, and quietly doubting themselves. High performers were burning out and disconnecting from their work—even when results looked good on paper.
That realization became personal.
As a working mother and an immigrant, and as someone who had developed emotional resilience early in life, I felt the tension between ambition and well-being firsthand. I began to see that while training and systems matter, what truly creates sustainable performance is coaching—the space to think, reflect, and grow with clarity and support.
That insight led me to transition into training, coaching, and consulting, and eventually to start my own consulting firm so I could focus on the human side of performance. Over the last 20+ years, I’ve blended my background in accounting, quality engineering, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed coaching to help high achievers perform at their best—without burning out.
I studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in 2017 I moved to the United States, making Houston my home. Today, I work with professionals and organizations globally as a career and executive coach, author, and speaker. I’m a regular contributor to Forbes, where I write about burnout, imposter syndrome, leadership, and sustainable success, and I’ve authored several books, including We Culture and Timebox, focused on building healthy systems—at work and in life.
What ties everything together is a simple belief: success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. When structure meets compassion, people don’t just perform better—they shine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all—it hasn’t been a smooth road, and I don’t think meaningful careers ever are.
One of the biggest challenges was navigating transitions without a clear roadmap. Shifting from a structured corporate environment into entrepreneurship meant letting go of certainty. I had to learn how to trust myself in moments where there was no title, no predefined path, and no immediate validation.
Another struggle was internal. Like many high achievers, I dealt with imposter syndrome—especially when I moved into coaching and later when I relocated to the United States. Starting over in a new country in 2017 required rebuilding credibility, networks, and confidence from the ground up. On the outside, things looked successful; on the inside, there were moments of deep self-doubt.
There were also very practical challenges: building a business while raising a family, learning how to price my work, say no to the wrong opportunities, and stay financially steady while growing something meaningful. I had to unlearn the belief that working harder was the answer, and instead focus on working more intentionally.
What helped me through those moments was reframing struggle as information rather than failure. Every obstacle pushed me to refine my values, strengthen my boundaries, and build systems that supported both performance and well-being.
Those challenges didn’t slow me down—they shaped the work I do today. They’re the reason I coach the way I do: with structure, compassion, and a deep respect for the human side of success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Today, I work as a career and executive coach, author, and speaker, supporting high achievers and leaders who want to perform at a high level without burning out. I specialize in helping professionals navigate burnout, imposter syndrome, leadership transitions, and career clarity—especially during periods of growth, change, or uncertainty.
What I’m best known for is my ability to blend structure with compassion. My background in accounting, quality engineering, and process improvement allows me to bring clarity, systems, and practical tools into my work, while my training in emotional intelligence and trauma-informed coaching ensures that growth feels supportive rather than overwhelming. Clients often tell me they feel both challenged and deeply understood in our work together.
Sport has been a powerful teacher throughout my life. As a child, I competed in figure roller skating, which taught me discipline, focus, and how to perform under pressure from a very young age. Years later, as an adult, I returned to competition through tennis. Experiencing both success and failure in sport—at different stages of life—has shaped how I understand confidence, resilience, and mental strength. The lessons from sport mirror professional life: learning to recover after mistakes, staying present, and building trust in yourself one point at a time.
I’m particularly proud of building a body of work that bridges productivity and well-being. I’ve written four books, including We Culture and Timebox, and I’m the creator and host of the Corporate Therapy podcast, where I explore real conversations about work, leadership, burnout, and emotional resilience. I’m also a regular contributor to Forbes, where I write about sustainable success and the human side of performance.
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in pushing people harder—I help them work with intention, self-trust, and energy awareness. My approach integrates systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and real-life performance lessons from both leadership and sport. I help clients design systems that support not just what they do, but how they feel while doing it.
Ultimately, the work I’m most proud of is seeing people reconnect with their confidence, set healthier boundaries, and realize they don’t have to sacrifice themselves to succeed. When someone tells me they feel lighter, clearer, and more grounded in their work—that’s the real measure of success for me.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, my focus is on deepening impact rather than just expanding reach.
Professionally, I’m working toward becoming a Master Certified Coach (MCC), which reflects my commitment to the highest standards in coaching and to continuous growth in my craft. At the same time, I’m excited to expand my in-person coaching work locally in Houston and The Woodlands. While most of my work today is online with clients around the world, I see a powerful opportunity to build more face-to-face connection and community at a local level.
I’m also continuing to develop my brand through multiple channels that allow for deeper, more meaningful conversations—my Corporate Therapy podcast, future books, webinars, and ongoing writing for Forbes. These platforms allow me to explore topics like burnout, leadership, confidence, and sustainable performance in a way that reaches people where they are.
What I’m most looking forward to is creating spaces—both online and in person—where people can slow down, think clearly, and reconnect with what truly matters in their work and lives. The next phase isn’t about doing more for the sake of it; it’s about doing work that’s more intentional, more human, and more aligned with the way people actually want to live and work.
Pricing:
- $150 per coaching session https://calendly.com/lucypaulise/coaching-session-new-client
- $500 5 coaching sessions https://buy.stripe.com/dRm6oH8qV64s3400n95sA0n
- $2500 for 6 months unlimited coaching for executives, including personality assessments https://buy.stripe.com/4gM8wP5eJ1OcgUQ6Lx5sA0o
- $500 45-minute webinar https://www.lucypaulise.com/webinars/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lucypaulise.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucypaulisecoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lupaulise
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucianapaulise/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LucianaPaulise
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/471XCDUwsQgO6Rnijd2GsZ?si=147L3ulYQyWzm-m8UPk9EA
