Leah Bernath shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Leah, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
They’re all important, but if I had to pick just one, I’d have to say energy is EVERYTHING!
It’s the ultimate driving force behind everything we do—it’s a reflection of who you are and how you engage with the world. Energy is like the signal on your cell phone: when it’s strong and clear, connections and opportunities flow easily, but when it’s weak or scattered, communication breaks down and opportunities get missed. This is the essence of the Law of Attraction—what you radiate out is exactly what you call in. When your energy is aligned, you attract rather than chase whatever it is that you desire. You navigate life from a place of calm, clarity, and confidence. And you unlock the potential for transformative experiences that can redefine your path and/or elevate your life in amazing ways. It sounds “woo-woo,” but it’s actually very real!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Great to be here! I’m Leah—a leadership coach, energy and mindset nerd, and founder of Your Best Self, LLC, where I help high-performing women rise unapologetically into the fullest expression of who they are—in business and in life.
Now, if you look at me on paper today, things seem pretty great. I’m the Southeast Regional Manager at Multivista, CEO of my Embodied Leadership Coaching Business, I’ve spoken on stages and podcasts, published a journal on Amazon, and I’m raising two amazing teenage daughters (which deserves its own award, right?!).
But, let’s be real, it hasn’t always looked this good. A decade ago? I was a newly single mom going through divorce, dusting myself off to re-enter commercial real estate with zero roadmap, no mentor, and no safety net. I hustled hard, clawed my way into leadership roles, only to get laid off during the pandemic—jobless, bills piling up, family to support. And eventually? Full-blown burnout. The kind where you wake up thinking, “Am I even cut out for this… or is the universe punking me?”
My turning point came when I realized I couldn’t keep leading from exhaustion, fear, and autopilot. So instead of doubling down on the hustle, I doubled down on myself. I invested in coaches, dove into subconscious mindset work, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed leadership. And slowly, I rebuilt.
What came out of that season was something I never expected: a uniquely powerful framework blending mindset reprogramming, nervous system work, energy alignment, and my signature Power Principles method. It’s what I now call ‘The CEO Within’—because true leadership doesn’t start with your title or your résumé. It starts inside of you.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Great question! For me, it all boils down to “Superwoman Syndrome”—that relentless drive to do it all and do it all perfectly. I’ve seen it in so many women I coach, and trust me, I’ve lived it myself. It’s that crushing pressure to excel at everything—career, family, health, relationships, even who brings the best dip to the potluck.
At first, it was my superpower—pushing me to crush sales goals, run a business, juggle single motherhood, and even compete in fitness competitions (because clearly, I thought my plate wasn’t full enough). But here’s the thing about wearing a cape 24/7: eventually, it gets really heavy. That drive that once fueled me slowly morphed into stress, burnout, and autopilot living. And let me tell you—autopilot is no way to fly.
My turning point came when I discovered Internal Family Systems (IFS), the brilliant work of Richard Schwartz. Learning that we’re made up of different “parts” was a revelation. Suddenly, I saw that my inner “achiever” wasn’t me—it was just one voice running the show. And while it meant well—survival, the ability to provide, worthiness, etc.—it was actually keeping me stuck in overdrive.
Once I learned how to integrate all of the parts and protectors, everything shifted. I stopped letting fear and perfectionism call the shots. I released that white-knuckle grip of control. And in its place, I found balance, calm, and clarity. Now, when challenges come my way, I don’t just power through—I navigate them with intention. And that one shift has been an absolute game-changer.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I stopped treating pain like the villain to run from and started seeing it as my greatest teacher, everything changed. Instead of avoiding it, I got wildy curious. And that curiosity cracked open doors I never knew were there—leading to new insights, unexpected growth, and some pretty amazing shifts in my life.
Looking back, the struggles I once wanted to erase were actually the stepping stones to the best parts of my story—amazing opportunities, inspiring people, and unforgettable experiences. Pain wasn’t just something I survived—it became fuel. I turned it into power, and that power helped me connect with others on a deeper, more authentic level.
The takeaway: you never know who needs to hear your story. The thing you once thought would break you might be the very thing that breathes hope into someone else. So don’t hide it—channel it. Share it. Your greatest pain could become your greatest purpose. And the ripple effect? Beyond anything you could imagine.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Sara Blakely didn’t just build Spanx—she built an empire—and she did it without losing her down-to-earth, genuine vibe. What I love most is how openly she shares the messy middle: the struggles, the setbacks, and the behind-the-scenes of her journey. By leading with vulnerability and authenticity, she doesn’t just tell her story—she makes you feel like you’re part of it. And that’s exactly why she’s inspired countless women (myself included) to believe that if she can chase big dreams and make them real, so can we. Sara is living proof that humility and strength don’t cancel each other out—they actually make the perfect power couple.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
There’s just something magical about being outdoors that recharges my whole spirit. Whether I’m hiking a trail, jogging, paddle boarding, or flowing through yoga under the sky—I come alive in nature. And if you put me near the ocean (or really, any body of water), I’m in my absolute happy place.
But it’s not just the big adventures that ground me. My daily morning ritual—meditation, journaling, and breathwork—gives me that same sense of calm. Those quiet moments are like plugging into my own inner power source, refueling me and setting me up to handle whatever the day throws my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livebestself.com/
- Instagram: @liveyourbestwithLeah
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EAFJjeLxg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Deelite Photography
