My name is Katja (here’s how to pronounce my name) and this is my story.

At 35, I found myself newly divorced. My family was a world away, I was feeling alone, but somehow not lonely. Since my teenage years, committed relationships were all I had known; I was never by myself. It was time for me to finally take control and grow up, my second life has begun.

But let’s start at the beginning…

I lived in Slovenia for the first three decades of my life, finished law school, became a lawyer and then shortly after moved to the US (shout out to Ithaca, NY!). After three years working at Cornell University, I found myself heading to Vancouver, BC, and have resided here ever since.

Being an immigrant definitely changes you.

Leaving my home country and having to start over in a completely new environment, figuring out new systems (like bureaucracy is not painful enough back home haha), social habits, communicating in a different language… Also, building new friendships and then moving away again, only to have to start all over in another place.

It builds character.

I was so incredibly uncomfortable for such a long time that I got comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sense of humor definitely helps! When you’re sitting on a bus going around and around not realizing that you need to pull the yellow cord in order for the bus to stop - what is there to do but laugh?

 
 

Through my journey, I’ve unlocked a part of myself that was hidden away and ignored for a long long time. Before that, I always lived my life on autopilot. Whatever seemed to be the next logical step, I did it and didn’t think twice about it. I simply reacted. I was using the template provided by my environment. Was it what I really wanted? My future was never questioned nor what actually was important to me. I never felt I could have a real and serious impact on my future or what it could look like.

But listen…

Life does not happen to you, you make it happen. 

 
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“She has good grades so probably should be a doctor or a lawyer”… sure, I’m going to be a lawyer! No wonder it took me ages to finish law school. It wasn’t my passion at all.

Then I found coaching!

Guiding people through life rather than the legal system was my passion. Everything changed. I found confidence. I found energy. I found joy. Coaching IS me. I was always the person that people would come to for advice or share their struggles and concerns with.

And all I had to do was listen to myself and acknowledge that that quiet inner voice of mine is my wisest (and for years neglected) best friend.


 
 

My mission…

My mission is to communicate this knowledge and guide you toward your personal success -whatever that may look like for you. If you feel like you should already have all the answers - you don’t have to! We can discover what success means to you, together. In any case, taking a guided trip inward and digging deep into what you are all about, is the greatest gift you can give yourself. And you are definitely worth it!

 
 

 — What were your top three professional successes before becoming a coach? 

After finishing law school and working in law for 6 years, I made a decision to quit to move overseas and try to find something different and more fulfilling.

I spent the next three years working with students at Cornell MPA Graduate Program - CIPA, where I discovered that working can be A LOT of fun (shout out to Jennifer Evangelista) - I never laughed as much as we did in that CIPA office.

After moving to Vancouver I spent 3 years managing 3D Animation school and working with artists, where I learned what it means to run a successful business and build relationships.

— What can people count on you for? 

People can count on me to tell the truth. My clients can count on me for being completely honest but at the same time holding a safe space where these deep and powerful conversations can occur. I’m always myself, whoever I interact with. My core values are authenticity, honesty, kindness, strength, joy, continuous improvement, inner peace and freedom.

— When you leave a room, what’s missing? 

Energy, action, positivity and laughter.

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 — What was your worst failure in your career? 

Burnout, having a job where I did not feel valued, fulfilled or appreciated. Staying there for far too long, I neglected my health. I developed anxiety. I couldn’t sleep at night. I gained weight and abused alcohol.

Our bodies always give us clear signs, we need to pay attention and listen. I learned that it is okay to leave situations that are no longer serving me. Quitting can be a sign of GROWTH and not of failure.

— What was the most challenging moment in your career/life?

My divorce. I had to reinvent who I am after my separation. It wasn’t easy, but I came out so much stronger and just a better human all around. I’m really proud of myself. Sometimes you have to go through the swampy areas before you get to solid ground that nourishes you and you can build proper foundations for limitless growth.

— What holds you back the most and always has?

Affairs of the heart. I used to tend to choose the wrong people to give my heart and loyalty to. My energy gets focused on these relationships and I’ve learned that if it takes so much out of you - it’s probably not the relationship for you.

Awareness is everything! I have so much new knowledge that helps me understand myself and my past relationships. Now, the future seems bright!

Not knowing when to say goodbye. This was a re-occurring theme in my professional and personal life. I felt things need to get really bad before I could give myself permission to leave them behind. I learned that ending is not a failure, it just means that you are done with that stage of your life and ready to level up.

People pleasing. I realized that protecting your own energy is NOT selfish but in contrast, it is absolutely essential. The person we need to take care of and make happy is ourselves. It is not easy to break the social conditioning many of us have received. It’s like a baby learning how to walk. Very bumpy at first. But after we figure it out, we are able to show up for people around us in a healthy way that does not cause us resentment.


 

Qualifications:

  • Vancouver College of Counsellor Training - Diploma of Professional Counselling (Sept. 2023)

  • Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Certification (Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project - 2023)

  • Advanced Counselling Skills (VCCT - 2023)

  • Trauma Counselling (VCCT - 2023)

  • Clinical Counselling Skills (VCCT - 2023)

  • Loss and Grief Counselling (VCCT - 2022)

  • Positive Psychology with Martin E.P. Seligman (2021)

  • Achology: Life Coaching Certification (2021)

  • Coaching Out of the Box: 5/5/5 Coaching Skills Training Program Certification (2020)

  • Mental Health Commission of Canada: Mental Health First Aid Canada Certification (2021)

  • Co-Active Training Institute: Co-Active Fundamentals Certification (2020)

  • Vital Smarts: Crucial Conversations Certification (2021)

  • Vital Smarts: Crucial Accountability Certification (2021)

  • University of Ljubljana - School of Law: Bachelor’s Degree (2013)