Photo Credit: Elliot Lopes
In a world that glorifies wealth, status, and the constant pursuit of success, many find themselves chasing an elusive sense of fulfillment. The benchmarks of achievement—bigger paychecks, fancier titles, and busier schedules—promise happiness but often come at the expense of mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This narrow focus on outward success can leave even the most accomplished feeling lost, disconnected, and searching for deeper meaning.
Such was the case for Jules Schroeder, a highly successful entrepreneur whose life looked perfect on paper. Jules had built multiple six- and seven-figure companies by her early 20s. Yet, beneath her external achievements, Jules felt unfulfilled—trapped in a relentless cycle of striving for more while grappling with an emptiness she couldn’t ignore.
“I was constantly chasing the next target,” Jules reflects. “No matter how much success I achieved, it felt like an endless leak in the bucket. I had money, but I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t even pursuing the things I was truly passionate about, like music. I felt disconnected from myself, from others, and from a sense of deeper purpose.”
Her life—and priorities—shifted dramatically on a warm July day in 2015 when a wakeboarding accident sent her hurtling toward the brink of death.
A Life-Altering Wake-Up Call
Jules’s near-death experience began with a single miscalculated move. She was wakeboarding on a lake, the water glinting under the summer sun, when she launched, and collided with the surface at a dangerous angle. The impact was devastating—the doctors thought her neck might have been broken or that she could be paralyzed. She drifted in and out of consciousness as she was rushed to the hospital. Lying in the ER, Jules’s world blurred into stillness. Then, something extraordinary happened.
“I was visited by a white figure and six black shadow council members,” Jules recounts. “They spoke directly to me and said, ‘You have more work to do in the world. Do you want to do it?’”
In that moment, Jules realized the fragility of life and the significance of the question she was being asked. “I wasn’t ready to leave,” she says. “For the first time, I asked myself, ‘Have I accomplished everything I want to if my life were to end right now?’” With a resolute “yes,” she committed to returning—not as the same person, but as someone determined to live with purpose, connection, and authenticity.
Embracing a Multi-Passionate Life
Since that pivotal day, Jules has embraced life fully, no longer confined by the narrow definitions of success she once pursued. She embodies the spirit of a modern Renaissance woman, seamlessly blending her diverse talents and passions to empower others and inspire meaningful transformation. As Jules likes to say, “I am a magnet for people in transition.”
Recognized by Inc. Magazine as #1 of the “Top 27 Female Entrepreneurs Changing the World” and named one of Maxim’s “10 Business Titans to Watch in 2024,” she is the founder and CEO of Unconventional Life, a globally recognized podcast and events company that has reached millions across seventy-five countries, further amplified by a Forbes column.
Through Unconventional Life five-day life and business accelerator events, Jules brings together entrepreneurs, creatives, and thought leaders in breathtaking locations worldwide—from the Himalayan peaks to Italian castles. These immersive gatherings offer clarity and direction to those navigating life transitions. Combining adventure, wellness practices, and business strategy, they challenge attendees to redefine success on their own terms.
Jules is also a driving force behind Women Gone Wild, a movement empowering women to share their voices and stand together as leaders. The initiative’s bestselling book series and programs inspire women to step into visibility and redefine what women are capable of achieving.
Her latest endeavor, Pink Lemon Agency, which she runs with her two sisters, Raya and Mary, supports entrepreneurs in turning their visions into impactful realities by providing a range of services, from branding and marketing strategy to online program creation and business development. It’s a natural extension of her mission to help others bring their unique gifts into the world.
Jules has even returned to her first love: music. Performing as Jules King, she is releasing heartfelt singer-songwriter tracks that reflect her journey of transformation and her commitment to self-expression. “Music has always been my way of telling the truth,” she shares. “For years, I suppressed that part of myself. Now, I’m unapologetically pursuing everything that lights me up.”
Living with Purpose and Passion
The themes that define Jules’s life today—making the most of her time here, waking up to the gift that life is, and embracing her voice—are rooted in her near-death experience. She no longer chases success for the sake of external validation. Instead, she lives with an unwavering connection to a higher power, allowing her passions to guide her.
“Life is too short to suppress your gifts,” Jules says. “The accident taught me that every moment is a gift, and every opportunity to connect, create, and contribute is sacred.”
From the outside, Jules remains an extraordinary entrepreneur and leader, but her transformation is what sets her apart. She’s not just building businesses—she’s inspiring a new paradigm for living and working. Through her work, Jules invites others to join her in embracing life fully, unapologetically, and in alignment with their higher purpose.
For Jules Schroeder, the wakeboarding accident was not the end. It was the beginning of a life lived in color, connection, and contribution. Her story resonates with so many entrepreneurs who see themselves in her journey, offering a roadmap for those seeking a more meaningful life.
