Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Kunadian. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gina , appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Reflecting on my professional path, a defining moment that stands out was my personal battle with alcohol addiction. This experience fundamentally altered the trajectory of my career and life. Prior to this, I had struggled silently, juggling my roles as a mother, wife, and professional. The façade of managing it all crumbled when my addiction began to overshadow every aspect of my life.

The turning point came one tearful day, alone in my car, when I finally admitted to myself that I needed help. This moment of vulnerability was the first step towards a transformative journey of sobriety. It was not just a battle against addiction but a deep dive into self-discovery and healing. This experience unearthed my passion for helping others facing similar struggles.

The wisdom I gleaned from this journey is profound: we often wear our struggles as invisible cloaks, but embracing vulnerability can be our greatest strength. It propelled me to shift my career towards becoming a Women’s Alcohol-Free Sobriety Coach. Now, I use my experience to empower other women, guiding them to reclaim their lives from the grips of alcohol and find their true selves. This defining moment taught me that our greatest challenges often lead to our most fulfilling life’s work.

Gina , 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?

Hello, I’m Gina Kunadian, a Women’s Alcohol-Free Sobriety Coach, and the host of the “Shine Within” podcast. My journey into this field was born not just out of professional interest, but from a deeply personal battle and triumph over alcohol addiction. My experiences with the struggles of addiction, and the subsequent journey to sobriety, have profoundly shaped both my personal and professional life.

I offer a range of services focused on supporting women who are either sober-curious or in recovery from alcohol addiction. My core offerings include one-on-one coaching, where I use my unique “Transformation SHINE Process” (Sobriety, Healing, Inspiration, Nourishment, Empowerment) to guide women on their journey. I also host the “Shine Within” podcast, where I share insights, stories, and interviews to motivate and inspire others on their path to sobriety and personal growth.

What sets me apart in this field is my personal experience and genuine empathy. Having walked this path myself, I understand the challenges and nuances of this journey intimately. This allows me to connect with my clients on a deeper level, offering not just guidance, but a shared understanding and a safe space for transformation.

I am most proud of turning my personal struggles into a beacon of hope and guidance for others. My goal is to empower women to reclaim their lives from addiction, rediscover their inner strength, and live their best, alcohol-free lives. For anyone embarking on this journey, I want them to know that they are not alone, and with the right support and tools, a fulfilling and empowered life awaits them.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One significant lesson I’ve had to unlearn in my journey as a Women’s Alcohol-Free Sobriety Coach is the notion that ‘strength’ always means ‘going it alone.’ For years, both in my personal battle with alcohol addiction and in my early days of coaching, I believed that true strength meant handling everything independently, without seeking help or showing vulnerability.

The backstory to this unlearning began in the depths of my struggle with addiction. I was caught in a cycle of trying to prove to myself and the world that I could overcome my challenges alone. This mindset not only delayed my own healing but also initially limited my effectiveness as a coach. I realized that my reluctance to show vulnerability and seek support was not strength—it was a barrier to growth.

Through this realization, I learned the power of vulnerability and the importance of seeking support. True strength, I discovered, lies in the ability to ask for help, to lean on others when needed, and to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers. This lesson transformed not just my approach to personal challenges but also how I support my clients. Now, I emphasize the importance of community, shared experiences, and mutual support in the journey towards sobriety and healing.

Unlearning this has allowed me to embrace a more compassionate, empathetic approach both in my personal life and professional practice. It’s a lesson in humility and the beauty of interconnectedness that I now cherish and share with every woman I coach.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

In my journey as a Women’s Alcohol-Free Sobriety Coach, I’ve learned that while training and knowledge are fundamental, there’s another crucial element to success in this field: empathy. Empathy, the ability to truly understand and share the feelings of another, has been the cornerstone of my practice.

This deep, empathetic connection allows me to walk alongside my clients in their journey, not just as a coach but as someone who genuinely understands their struggles and triumphs. It’s about creating a safe space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood.

Another key component is authenticity. Being genuine in sharing my own experiences with alcohol and recovery helps to build trust and relatability. It’s crucial for clients to see me not just as a coach but as someone who has navigated the same path they’re on.

Lastly, patience is vital. Sobriety and personal growth are not linear journeys. They require time, perseverance, and a lot of self-compassion. As a coach, being patient with my clients’ processes and progress, celebrating their small victories, and supporting them through setbacks, is essential for fostering lasting change.

In summary, empathy, authenticity, and patience, combined with knowledge and training, are what I believe to be most helpful for succeeding in the field of sobriety coaching. These elements have not only enriched my coaching practice but have also been instrumental in the profound transformations I’ve witnessed in the lives of the women I work with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginakunadian.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shine_ginakunadian?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginakunadian?mibextid=2JQ9oc
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ginakunadian?si=0_ePsYGobawcx0Zs