We recently connected with Ellen Broen and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellen, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

The first unexpected problem I faced in my creative journey proved to be a pivotal one: sustaining a serious vocal injury. It required a clear choice; either I rebuild my voice, or I walk away from opera singing. I was an undergraduate student at the time, and had been waffling on many possible career paths that interested me. I knew I loved languages, people, storytelling, and travel, but that drew me to anything from a position at the UN, to the field of anthropology, to the world of opera. When I learned I had developed a vocal nodule that would require 6-9 months of vocal therapy and technical re-mastery, I decided that I could not see my life without singing. So I chose the road to recovery, and therefore went all-in on my pursuit to become a professional opera singer.

Rebuilding my voice, however, was only the beginning of the many unexpected issues I encountered as my career took shape. After I learned that my injury had been caused by acid reflux, I set out to find the cause and cure for this frustrating health struggle and silent career-killer. I went to numerous doctors to get professional opinions on how to address the underlying source of my reflux, but I was repeatedly advised that my best option was to mask the symptoms with drugs for the rest of my career, and even life. I fundamentally refused to accept this as my fate; I knew there had to be another way. So I embarked on a long and winding health journey through whole food nutrition, supplementation, exercise, and mindset work that would ultimately lead to my body’s natural healing.

The most unexpected struggle occurred when, the further I went down the path of healing, the more I fell in love with the mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual work I was doing. All while I was achieving the dream I had set out to fulfill – performing in some of the finest opera houses and concert halls, including the Kimmel and Lincoln Center – I felt like each step forward I took in my career was another step away from what I truly wanted out of life. The blessing of working with a life coach was that I saw how my mindset was the source of my better health, greater success, and ultimately deeper happiness. The cost was my most challenging hurtle to date – the more I worked to align my life with what I truly wanted and needed to be healthy and happy, the clearer it became that I no longer wanted to be a professional opera singer.

So after 10 years of professionally performing, I made the difficult but honest decision to end my opera career. The gift was that by closing that chapter, I opened the chapter of what is now an ever more authentic, inspired life and vision. I channel my creative and artistic sensibilities in outlets that both fulfill and challenge me, including leading a vibrant life coaching practice filled with creative entrepreneurs, hosting an Airbnb property that is frequently featured on mainstream television and commercials, and sharing my voice and life as a content creator and podcast host.

Ellen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I came into life coaching because of my search for healing, growth, and alignment in my life. When I hired a coach, I witnessed my relationships with myself and others transform, my sense of well-being and ease elevate, and my vision for my future clarify. I realized that opera singing could not provide the fulfillment I sought, and I found through life coaching a new way to serve, sing, and succeed.

I am a Professional Certified Coach, credentialed by the International Coaching Federation, and trained in the methodologies of ontology and Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead program. The practice of life coaching requires a person to become deeply aware of one’s own ingrained programming, identity, and thought patterns in order to support others in doing the same – and I personally love partnering in this revelatory process with creatives who run businesses. By disrupting internal and behavioral patterns that hold us back from our authentic, empowered, creative self, I support my clients in choosing all that it takes to align with who they truly want to be in this life.

I offer 1:1 coaching and lead a signature group coaching program called The Powerhouse Entrepreneur Program. In my work with individuals, I specialize in supporting conscious CEOs and artistic entrepreneurs who struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, and untapped potential overcome the obstacles and overwhelm of achieving their greatest vision of success. Together, we design and execute project plans to achieve extraordinary results without sacrificing their well-being, values, or priorities. The Powerhouse Entrepreneur pairs transformational 1:1 coaching with entrepreneurship tools and trainings, a close-knit mastermind community, and an exclusive in-person retreat.

What sets me apart is the combination of my compassionate, heart-centered approach and my bold, intuitive ability to see what patterns or blocks will unleash my clients’ greatest potential. My clients feel deeply seen, understood, challenged, and supported in the process of achieving their most audacious goals.

What makes me most proud is witnessing my clients lead change and growth in their industries by being authentically who they are. I see their breakthroughs in self-trust, wealth consciousness, authentic leadership, and creative freedom ripple into their marriages, families, communities, and fields. I am also personally overjoyed when my clients make the big leap into the six-, seven-, and even eight-figure revenue brackets – welcoming that level of abundance in their businesses is the ultimate symbol of healed self-worth and embodied purpose.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

My journey into coaching was preceded by my voracious consumption of personal development books. My best advice is to stay curious and inspired by your craft and your inner growth. My biweekly email newsletter shares every book, show, movie, TED Talk, and resource that I use to continue learning and growing.

Some of the most impactul books I have ever read include Dare to Lead (Brené Brown), Worthy (Nancy Levin), The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron), The Untethered Soul (Michael Singer), and The Dark Side of the Light Chasers (Debbie Ford).

I also highly recommend Marie Forleo’s B-School for all creatives who need to learn and develop business fundamentals.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate career goal is to become a philanthropist, where I can contribute my music, my insight, and my resources to causes that heal our world and create a brighter vision for future generations. Building a platform and audience that values brave conversations, conscious leadership, and the arts is the path I am taking to achieving that dream.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ellenbroen.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellen_broen
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellenbroencoaching
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-broen
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/ellenbroencoaching

Image Credits
Professional photo in yellow chair and desk chair: Leah Gerstel @icaptureyou2