This is my story
As a writer, I write a lot. Long-form writing is my vice. So, when I was tasked with writing down my story for the new website’s about page, you can imagine how that went… Yup, it was LONG. So long, in fact, that my website designer challenged me and offered to compromise: I write a short one for the page and move the whole essay to this blog post. Sounded like a fair deal to me…
If you’re game, I invite you to grab a cup of cappuccino, get comfy, and start reading:
From passion to purposeful power
Born in a small, picturesque town in Slovenia, I come from a lineage of strong, forward-thinking women. Growing up in a multi-generational home, I inherited the spirit of my ancestors—WWII resistance fighters and business pioneers. Their legacy of resilience runs through my veins. Even as a young girl, I dreamed big—”I want to see Paris, New York, and Hawaii,” I told my family after marveling at postcards from my grandmother’s sailor brother.
The athletic path: beyond the court
But it wasn’t easy. I faced relentless bullying, and when my country was attacked during the Balkan War, I saw the pain in the eyes of refugee children who entered my classroom. I found solace and strength in an unexpected place.
Basketball became my refuge, my escape from a world that didn’t always understand or accept me. It wasn’t just a game; it was a training ground for life. Competing across Europe and wearing the jersey of the Slovenian Women’s National Basketball team taught me resilience, leadership, and the power of a high-performance mindset. I learned to master my time, develop a winning attitude, and guide others even before “life coaching” became a term.
And basketball was just the beginning. It was the catalyst that eventually led me to my true calling—transforming lives.
The shift: embracing a new identity
An unexpected invitation to play basketball in New York City turned my world upside down. I reluctantly packed my bags and leaped into the unknown… I arrived Downtown Brooklyn barely speaking English, ready to compete at the NCAA D-I level.
This was no longer just about sports; it was about finding my voice, my power, and purpose. A pivotal moment came when Coach challenged me during a team practice: “You start to speak, or the team continues to sprint.”
If you know me, you know I haven’t stopped speaking & speaking up ever since.
Turning adversity into opportunity
Graduating cum laude, earning my MBA, and building a budding career in Manhattan seemed like the pinnacle. Yet, life had other plans. Losing my job while expecting our first child pushed me to reevaluate and realign my priorities – in fact, it was a dare to finally realize the vision of working from home that I cultivated during my daily 5-hour commutes! It was a reminder that the path to success is rarely linear. It’s about the courage to pivot, to rewrite your story when the current one no longer serves you.
Creating impact: the birth of my business
I turned adversity into an opportunity, founding a business and making sure it was up and running before our little one was born. With the baby by my side, I worked even harder to grow the practice into a premium business management and consulting agency. By the time our second baby completed our family, I was able to give myself a 3-month paid maternity leave. And while I also made every possible mistake, my passion remained clear: to empower other high achievers to reclaim their time, their greatness, and create a life that transcends the ordinary. My business became an embodiment of my journey—helping others transition from their zones of excellence into spaces of deep alignment and fulfillment.
Rising stronger, together: from burnout to breakthrough
Even the strongest leaders face burnout. Postpartum depression, burnout so severe that it landed me in the ER multiple times, and the emotional toll of losing loved ones while being thousands of miles away from home taught me the importance of unlearning, releasing, and letting go. And, I had to learn to ask for help, and how to soften into receiving.
If sport had taught me to focus and push through, this was about re-engineering my mindset and lifestyle to not just excel in KPIs, but to truly thrive. This experience fueled my mission even further.
Breaking old rules to grow new wings
I knew something had to change, but this Dark Night of the Soul seemed to be never-ending! I took a hard look at my beliefs, habits, and the way I was running my life and business. I realized that success isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s about aligning your energy, vision, and mindset.
I had to dare to break old rules in order to rebuild my approach to work and life.
This was a turning point, not just for me personally, but for my business as well as our marriage. While I pivoted, introducing coaching into my consulting work, helping others find the balance, clarity, and purpose I was rediscovering, my husband and I got to reimagine, redefine and realign our union, our partnership, our journey together.
Embodying the vision: leading with purpose
After 18 years in the U.S., I felt it was time to return to Slovenia, together with my husband, our kiddos, two dogs and a senior cat. Together, we learned to embrace a slower, more connected life. This decision wasn’t just about geography—it was about stepping fully into a life of purpose, alignment, and intentionality.
Today, I still work with elite athletes, executives, and visionaries who are ready to step into their next chapter. My methodologies are rooted in the principles of clarity, capacity, and courage. Together, we break down the walls built by old rules, beliefs, and values, allowing for a rebirth into a more aligned, powerful version of themselves.
What is your legacy plan
Your journey is unique, but the path to transformation is universal. It starts with rewriting your story, reclaiming the parts of you that were sacrificed in the pursuit of excellence, and stepping into the role of the main character in your life. My team and I are here to guide you through this process, using proven strategies that have transformed lives and businesses worldwide.
