We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ilia Kavoukis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ilia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Ilia always knew she wanted to start her own business, so when she graduated from massage school, she took a big risk and moved to a small country town in Sutton, Quebec with her 5 year old daughter in tow from Montreal and opened a day spa. The overhead was significant, and there were no guarantees of success, but she plunged ahead with determination and optimism.

Despite some bumps in the road, Ilia’s day spa thrived for 15 years. Her mother, who had her own successful business, had inspired her to take the leap. Ilia loved helping people relax and reduce their stress, and she had many loyal clients who raved about her skills.

Often her clients told Ilia that she was the best massage therapist they had ever had, which made all the hard work and risks worth it. Ilia’s spa became a beloved fixture in the town, and she was grateful she had taken a chance on her dream.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey as a massage therapist, business owner, and single mom in a new town was full of challenges that provided me with valuable experience and lessons. Over time, I discovered my passion for coaching and decided to pursue coaching courses as I neared the end of my massage therapy career. I found that I resonated most with professional women who had achieved success in their careers but often struggled with their health and personal lives.

I transitioned from a massage therapist to a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, focusing on helping professional women find harmony in all areas of their lives. My goal is to help them feel truly successful and authentic, without compromising their career or personal values. By guiding them to identify their true values and integrate them into their lives, I aim to help my clients see the big picture and address any missing pieces.

I take pride in maintaining my integrity and values while running my coaching practice, ensuring that I don’t lose sight of myself and my own well-being. My greatest joy is seeing my daughter thriving as an adult, knowing that I have been able to make a positive impact on her life. Additionally, I find fulfillment in helping other women mend their relationships with their children and achieve peace in their hearts. My ultimate goal is to empower as many women as possible to find harmony and fulfillment in their lives, just as I have found in mine.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes, I would choose the same profession. I have always been drawn to the healing arts, and my work as a massage therapist was truly fulfilling for me. I believe that I was meant to help others in this way, and now as a Holistic Health & Wellness Coach, I am able to continue that passion on a deeper level.

My years of experience as a massage therapist have taught me the importance of addressing not only the physical body, but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of my clients. I have seen firsthand the transformation that can occur when we take a holistic approach to health and wellness.

I am grateful for the opportunity to continue guiding and supporting others on their journey to optimal health and well-being. It is truly a privilege to be able to make a positive impact on the lives of those I work with, and I am committed to continuing to learn and grow in order to best support their needs.

In short, choosing the profession of Holistic Health & Wellness Coach was a natural progression for me, and I am confident that it is where I am meant to be. My work brings me great joy and fulfillment, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of those I have the privilege to serve.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

In addition to training and knowledge, I believe that having a strong work ethic, good communication skills, creativity, adaptability, and a positive attitude are all essential for succeeding in my field. Building strong relationships with colleagues and clients, being open to feedback, and continually seeking to improve and learn are also important factors in achieving success in my field. If I can add one more thing…it is to keep listening to that little internal voice inside your heart, it will never steer you wrongly. It may seem really hard to follow it, but it won’t go away, so you might as well listen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iliakavoukis.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iliakavoukiswellness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtualwellnessguide
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilia-kavoukis-085555a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgAWWapSseHGF144-vSHeng