I met Alina in a Divine Timing (as she would put it) as a colleague and fellow coach trainee in a coaching course. However, I rapidly discovered that she had a deep experience and knowledge about coaching that I instantly grew to respect and follow. So the first impact that she had on my life was from a position of a role model as a coach. But it did not stop there. In the very few sessions that I had her by my side as my coach, I learned that she is an expert gardener in the realm of human development. I say gardener because she knows very well which seeds to plant and where, so the beautiful fruits of her labor would grow further even after the sessions.
I had sessions with Alina that would go on to have an impact in a domino effect for weeks after the session. Even today, in stressful situations, I frequently find myself thinking: “What would Alina say/ask about this issue?”. After our deep conversations about issues that I found hard to express to anyone around me (even to my closest friends or relatives), I discovered that she is not only a role model as a coach but also as a human being. She has given me the space to express any kind of thought or feeling and has validated and accepted all of them while at the same time modeling and asking for accountability and responsibility for decisions and actions.
In my discussions with her, I learned to slow down, breathe and respond to situations instead of reacting to them. I learned that putting up healthy boundaries does not make me a bad person, but putting up unhealthy, rigid boundaries and distancing myself from everyone will not protect me at the end of the day. I learned that I have more choice and power in my decisions than I ever thought I would. I also learned to listen to, respect, and accept my own needs to be able to respond to the needs of my child. Overall, I feel more balanced and in tune with myself and with the world as a result of my time spent with Alina. Thank you! I remain eternally grateful for the time you offered me as a gift!