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ACT FORWARD
Show up with presence. Move forward with confidence.

Hi! I’m Lauren.

I know what it feels like to realize that the path you once thought was right for you no longer fits. I know how disorienting it can be to outgrow a dream, question what comes next, and wonder whether changing course means disappointing people or starting over too late.

I also know the freedom that comes from making decisions rooted in your values, your voice, and your own inner knowing. My work is about helping you reconnect with who you are, trust what is true for you, and move toward what’s next with more clarity and self-trust.

Lauren Bartelt
You do not need to stay stuck in a version of success that no longer fits.
Why ACT FORWARD? The name reflects both my background in acting, directing, and teaching and my belief that real change asks us to do two things at once: show up fully and keep moving forward.

What You Might Be Navigating

  • Making career decisions with more confidence and less spinning
  • Navigating career pivots and life transitions
  • Rebuilding trust in your own voice and timing
  • Untangling overwhelm so your next step becomes clearer
  • Creating momentum without forcing yourself into burnout

What Sets Me Apart

This work is not only about what you do next. It’s about who you are becoming as you do it.

My background in acting, directing, and teaching shapes the way I coach. It gives me a deep understanding of presence, communication, confidence, and the courage it takes to be seen clearly — especially in moments of change.

I also bring a reflective and intuitive lens to this work. Alongside practical coaching tools, I create space for thoughtful self-inquiry, pattern recognition, and the deeper questions that often surface during seasons of change.

What It’s Like to Work Together

Transformation
“Lauren’s calm, compassionate presence gave me the space to safely explore my limiting beliefs, emotional triggers, and inner blocks without judgment. She helped me bridge the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be, allowing me to move forward with more clarity, self-awareness, and strength. Her guidance felt grounding, empowering, and deeply transformative. I’m incredibly grateful for the support, perspective, and growth I’ve experienced through our work together.”
— Vilma S., Entrepreneur
Reinvention
“Working with Lauren was incredibly valuable during a career pause/sabbatical point in my career. I came into coaching feeling unclear and confused about my next chapter after taking a post-corporate career break to focus on my mental health, spend time with family, and pursue some creative passions. While the time had been valuable, I wasn’t sure what to do next or how to re-enter feeling a sense of direction and momentum. What stood out most was Lauren’s ability to help me explore different pathways and challenge some of my rule-based thinking. Specifically, I had been underestimating my own abilities and talents, especially in the entrepreneurial pathway that I had been pursuing. Lauren has a warm, open, and inviting presence as a coach, and I am already looking forward to another session. I would highly recommend Lauren to anyone navigating a career transition, reinvention, leadership crossroads, or period of uncertainty.”
— Mona Sheth, JD, Mom in Transition
Clarity
“I met with Lauren during a career transition and the clarity and confidence I gained through our conversation was extremely valuable. She has a gift of asking the right questions that really make you look internally and think, the kind that lead you to having your own ‘aha’ moments without ever feeling like you’re being probed. Rather than telling me what to do, she coached me toward finding my own solutions. I moved from a place of anxiety and uncertainty to feeling a sense of excitement for an upcoming job change. She doesn’t just give advice, she helps you find the tools within yourself to uncover your own path with clarity and confidence.”
— Katie H., Communications Manager
Reflection
“Lauren asked excellent questions that showed she clearly had listened to my previous answers, even answers I had given earlier in the session. I really appreciated the thoughtful, targeted questions designed to gently challenge my beliefs. She also repeated back what she heard me saying in order to confirm and clarify what I was thinking, which was helpful as a reflective tool.”
— Ellie V., Learning Design Manager
Guidance
“Lauren is an incredible mentor and always has been. Hearing her voice, perspective, and sage guidance left me with a refreshed sense of motivation and specific actions toward solutions. Lauren is built for this.”
— Luke H., Actor & Sommelier
Next Steps
“Lauren did an amazing job of guiding me towards the answer I needed, and letting myself speak through my thoughts!”
— Julia S., Law Student

How I Help

I support people who are navigating career change, identity shifts, and the deeper question of what feels aligned now. My work blends practical coaching with communication, confidence-building, and space to hear your own truth more clearly.

Confidence, Communication & Presence

Build confidence in how you show up — in interviews, networking, communication, and self-expression — so you can move through change with more presence and ease.

  • untangle competing priorities
  • reduce overwhelm and self-doubt
  • move toward change with confidence

Clarity for Your Next Act

For people who know they are ready for something different and want space to reconnect with their own wisdom, intuition, and next right step.

  • reconnect with your strengths
  • name your real priorities
  • take the next step before you have the whole plan

Credentials, tools, and who this work is for

Certification icon

Certification / Training

Certified Professional Coach, expected 2026 — Thriving Coach Academy
(ICF-accredited Level 2 program, Forbes-recognized)

BA Theater, St. Olaf College (magna cum laude)

16 Personalities icon

Signature Tools

In addition to the Career Clarity Playbook, I use the 16 Personalities comprehensive report (similar to Myers-Briggs) and other reflective tools to help you better understand your natural strengths and potential paths.

Who this work is for icon

Who This Work Is For

I work best with people who are ready to be honest with themselves, take ownership of their growth, and engage the coaching process with openness and curiosity. This work is especially supportive for those navigating career transitions, identity shifts, questions about what comes next, or a desire to move forward with more confidence and self-trust.

If you are looking for someone to tell you exactly what to do, or if you feel more committed to staying in the story of why change is impossible than to exploring what might be possible, this may not be the right fit — and that is okay.

Ready for your next step?

If you're navigating a career change, craving clarity, or trying to move forward with more confidence, I’d love to help.

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