Meet Jaime Foster | Chief Energy Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaime Foster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaime, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Over the years, I’ve picked up quite a few habits that have really made a difference in my journey to success. Let me share with you the key ones that have had the biggest impact:

Adaptability: As someone who’s been around the block as a leadership coach, I’ve learned a thing or two about dealing with all sorts of personalities.

Let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster ride of trial and error. I’ve stumbled plenty of times because I couldn’t quite read the room or adjust to different situations. Through all those ups and downs, I’ve come to realize the value of sticking it out. It’s been tough, no doubt about it, but I’ve kept at it, tweaking my methods here and there. And you know what? It’s paid off big time.

Taking Action: When it comes to taking action, I’m all about diving right in. Sure, it’s had its ups and downs. It helped me build a thriving million-dollar business in the pet industry, but it also played a role in its eventual downfall—definitely a story for a relaxed chat over a drink.

Still, this go-getter attitude has led me to start six successful ventures, giving me a ton of experiences, both good and bad. These experiences have boosted my ability to connect with others, especially my clients, and help them through tough spots like leader turnover.

Lifelong Learner. As for lifelong learning, I’ve always been a curious soul. From tinkering with computers as a kid to devouring audiobooks by top thinkers, I just can’t get enough. I’m all about that 1% improvement mantra—just a few minutes a day add up to serious growth over time.

Mindfulness. And mindfulness? Well, let’s just say I used to be all work, no play. But now, I make it a point to start my day with some quiet time—whether it’s meditation, sitting in silence, or focusing on my breath. It’s a game-changer—keeping me centered and ready to tackle whatever life throws my way.

These habits aren’t just about personal growth—they’re about resilience and staying true to myself. They’ve been key players in my personal and professional success, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Energized Leaders is a premier leadership development and executive coaching firm committed to turning individuals into energized leaders within the workplace. Our goal is to nurture leaders who radiate authenticity, curiosity, and engagement, thus shaping a brighter future for everyone they influence in their professional and personal lives.

What sets us apart?

We effectively develop leaders and contribute positively to organizations because we care deeply about your results.

I take great pride in providing leadership training and executive coaching to leaders and teams seeking a renewed sense of energy in their work. Having experienced burnout firsthand from my past workaholic tendencies, I understand the toll it can take on both mind and body. Diagnosed with adrenal fatigue stage 2 and an autoimmune disorder, I knew I needed to prioritize my well-being. Thus began my 18-month journey of healing and self-renewal, focusing on replenishing my mind, body, and spirit.

Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve come to realize that burnout is an all-too-common experience that no one should have to endure. Kathleen Hogan, the Chief People Officer at Microsoft, aptly described our current state as a “Human Energy Crisis,” emphasizing the urgent need to revitalize our leaders.

Energized Leaders emerged from this realization, providing a space for individuals to acquire the tools and skills necessary for self-replenishment, benefiting both themselves and their teams.

It’s not just a solution for the present—it’s an ongoing commitment to nurturing the well-being of our people. By integrating these practices into our lives consistently, we pave the way for a future where burnout is no longer the norm, but rather a rarity.

We help energize leaders through:

CUSTOMIZATION + FLEXIBLITY
We customize leadership training programs and executive coaching to meet our clients’ specific needs and goals. We offer flexibility in program design, delivery formats (in-person and virtual), and content customization.

RESEARCH-BACKED TRAINING
Our training and coaching methodologies and content are based on research and best practices in leadership development, ensuring that the strategies taught are proven effective.

FOCUS ON PRACTICAL SKILLS
Our effective leadership training focuses on developing practical skills that leaders can immediately apply, such as communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking.

INCORPORATE HUMOR
Intertwining humor is evidence-based for reducing anxiety, increasing participation, and boosting motivation during training sessions. Laughter is a core component of our training sessions.

Tell us about your background.
The journey hasn’t been a walk in the park, but it has been worth every twist and turn! It all started with earning my business degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and diving headfirst into the corporate world at a Big 6 accounting firm. Constantly on the move and rubbing shoulders with top-tier Fortune 100 companies, I eventually transitioned into a role at a multi-million dollar family business.

But I’ve got this restless streak running through me, a classic trait of my DiSC personality style. So, I took the leap and ventured into entrepreneurship, founding my own million-dollar distribution business in the pet industry. Before I knew it, people were flocking to me for advice on leadership, sales strategies, DiSC, and emotional intelligence. Helping leaders boost revenue and inspire their teams became my new gig.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned through the years?First up, take the leap.

Whether it’s approaching that intimidating potential client at a networking event, asking for the sale, or even conquering your fear of heights by hopping into a hot air balloon—just go for it. Fear has a sneaky way of holding us back, but courage is what opens doors to new opportunities.

Next, ditch the worry about what others think. Trust me, everyone’s too caught up in their own lives to be scrutinizing your outfit choices. Rock that skirt that makes you feel unstoppable, whether it’s runway material or not. Remember, other people’s opinions are their business, not yours.

And finally, stop the people-pleasing madness. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”

I spent far too long trying to mold myself into what I thought others wanted me to be, losing sight of who I really was in the process. It took a moment of clarity at a dinner table full of negativity for me to realize the importance of surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who share my values.

So there you have it—lessons learned, experiences gained, and a journey well worth the bumps along the way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would find out what fun, live events were going on in the city. If there weren’t any events, which I doubt there is a single weekend without a live event in Denver, then I would take them to the following places:

Meow Wolf
Museum of Contemporary Art
Botanical Gardens
Hike around Evergreen Lake
Ski or hike in Summit County (depending on the season)
Concert or Movie on the Rocks at Red Rocks

I love Denver, and I love sharing it with my friends!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is to my dearest friend Rebeccah Silence, Self-Healing and Relationship Therapist. Next, Kate Bailey and the team at TARRA, Denver’s boutique work club and co-working space.

Website: https://energizedleaders.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimerowe/