From Digital Marketing to Life Coaching: Ilona Duda
After a life-changing experience of volunteering at the suicide prevention hotline, Ilona realized that instead of managing the crisis, she would like to prevent it. Coupled with her longing to do more meaningful work, she left the digital marketing field to be a career, relationship, and life coach. She now helps people gain clarity on what they want in life, with confidence and self-trust.
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Q: Tell us about your current work roles.
I am a life coach. I help young adults to gain clarity on what they want in life (career + relationship) and go after it with confidence and self-trust.
Q: What led you to that career?
I was working in the corporate world in a digital marketing space for six years before I left. While I was appreciative of the opportunities this field gave me to grow and excel in my leadership and interpersonal skills, I got to the point that I felt that what was I doing wasn't aligned with my values. I longed for more meaningful work. Since I always had a passion for people, I decided to go into the field of coaching and start helping people find their way to a more fulfilling life.
My interest in psychology and human behavior, my passion for unlocking human potential, and my own journey of deep inner healing led me to being a life coach.
Q: What is your educational background?
I received a Life Coaching Certificate from Acholody – the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology in August 2018. I was also trained in crisis intervention and volunteered at the suicide prevention hotline for 1.5 years. I am currently pursuing an NLP Practitioner Certificate.
Q: Did you have any life-changing experiences that led you to what you’re doing today?
Volunteering at the suicide prevention hotline was a life-changing experience that helped me to realize that I would like to help people but instead of managing the crisis, I would like to prevent it. Also, my own deep inner work inspired me to share the experience and knowledge with others and guide them on their own journey.
Q: How has your family and upbringing influenced your career choices?
There were no coaching schools in Ukraine at the time when I was faced with a career choice. And in my family psychology was viewed as a pseudo career, because they weren’t sure what I would do with the degree in psychology. So I randomly selected something more practical and went to study Political Science. When I moved to the United States, I transferred to study Marketing and graduated with a degree in Marketing Management. So my upbringing taught me to choose a practical career not something you are just interested in. I still managed to get a minor in Psychology.
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing?
I am proud of following my passion and started doing what I love to do. I am proud of volunteering for 1.5 years on the suicide prevention hotline even though it was hard and I wanted to give up many times. I am proud of running three marathons. But most of all, I am proud of doing the deep inner work that made me who I am today.
Q: What would you say motivates you most to do what you do?
Seeing my clients making progress and achieving the goals they set for themselves.
On Making a Career Shift
Q: How did you find the courage to leap from one field to another?
I didn’t wake up one day deciding to leap from one field to another. My courage was built up day by day by turning inward and listening to what is that really sparks my soul. And then taking small steps to cultivate that inner voice (reading books, taking courses, volunteering).
Q: What has been the greatest challenge for you when it comes to switching careers?
My greatest challenge was to face my inner critic and fears and self-doubt it was creating.
Q: What advice do you have for others who are still trying to find their passions?
My advice would be to feed your curiosity not your fears by trying, experimenting, and not expecting perfection.
Feed your curiosity not your fears by trying, experimenting, and not expecting perfection.
Q: What’s next for you, what are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to expanding my practice and working with more people helping them find inner confidence and self-trust to go after what they really want in life.
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Learn more about and connect with Ilona at:
Website: https://linktr.ee/ilona__duda
Instagram: @ilona__duda