We were lucky to catch up with Natalie Serebrennik recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I love this question so much. While my definition of success has evolved throughout my career, two constants have always driven me: grit and resilience.

Grit is that relentless internal drive to keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles arise. It’s about persevering despite the haters and the lack of support. No matter what, I keep going.

Resilience is the mental toughness to bounce back from mistakes while pursuing my goals. It’s about seeing roadblocks as part of the journey and learning from them, no matter how tough the challenge seems.

For me, success is and always will be a mindset. If you want it badly enough, you find a way to make it happen.

Growing my career on the trading floor of a top Canadian bank exposed me to a number of challenging moments, especially as a woman. I was motivated to climb that ladder, just as much as any man on that floor, believing that doing so meant I had ‘made it.’

Throughout my 17-year journey, I faced severe imposter syndrome, overcame toxicity that nearly drove me away, and navigated tough discussions advocating for promotions and pay raises with higher-ups three levels above me.

Every success I achieved, I fought for. Looking back, I have no regrets nor do I wish my journey was easier. It’s in these fighting moments where I realized what I’m truly capable of.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Growing up with immigrant parents, I quickly learned the meaning of hard work and setting high expectations — sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse. I vividly remember what life was like when we had less, and how much easier things became when we had more. After graduating from university, I had a few clear goals: land a high-paying job and marry my high school sweetheart. I chose a career in Capital Markets for the status and lifestyle it could offer. I was driven to climb the ladder, year after year, seeking more money and higher positions. However, over time, I realized it wasn’t enough — I needed something more meaningful.

Without initially recognizing it, I immersed myself in mentorship. I had always been involved to some extent, but the last few years were different. I led three different mentoring experiences: one group and two 1:1. My motivation was simple — mentoring made me feel good. It was fulfilling to help others navigate obstacles I had overcome in my career. I found myself giving advice to anyone and everyone and seeking more opportunities to get involved.

My big a-ha moment came in December 2020. I was catching up with a mentee, and he shared how much I had helped him and his career. “I don’t think you realize how much you changed the trajectory of my career in just a few short months. I can’t thank you enough.” I still remember those words because they changed everything for me.

I had been mentoring because it made me feel good. I knew I was helping, but I hadn’t realized to what extent until that day. That same night, as my husband and I were getting ready for bed, I turned to him and said, “This is it. If I can help others in their careers and find a way to make a living doing it, this is my dream job.” He replied, “So, let’s figure it out.”

One Google search led to a few phone calls, which led to enrolling in a coaching certification program. This all happened in less than two weeks. For the next two years, I invested in my new dream — gaining practical tools, coaching on the side, and saving enough money to help with the transition. Then, in January 2023, I took the biggest leap of faith in my career and told my boss I was leaving. I officially started my full-time coaching practice in April 2023.

Despite the comments, questions, and an overwhelming sense of fear about what I was walking away from, I knew I couldn’t live with the regret of not trying. And I haven’t looked back since.

I help my clients advance in their careers and achieve their professional goals. Whether it’s landing a promotion, securing a pay bump, or developing leadership skills, no goal is too small or too big. I help them build confidence and strengthen their mindset to continue advancing in life and career after our time together ends. I share proven strategies that secured my success and help them overcome similar struggles. I know I’m lucky to have a second chance at a new career path—one that brings me immense meaning and fulfillment each day.

Sometimes, the leaps we take in life are lessons for paths we don’t want, and sometimes, they lead to the best decisions we’ve ever made.

I work with clients 1:1, customizing my program to meet their needs. I believe each person deserves a tailored approach, and I ensure each client receives the support they need, no matter where they are in their journey. I also collaborate with industry groups and companies, designing workshops and programs for their employees and members. I’m passionate about developing and supporting leaders beyond what’s written in books. I believe leadership is both a privilege and a great responsibility — leaders can either make or break their team’s experience. This is a huge weight, and I intend to lighten it one leader at a time.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I was raised with a strong narrative: “put your head down, do good work, and you’ll eventually get rewarded.” The idea of advocating for yourself, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry, was a big no-no. Growing up, I was a fiery child, often talking back to my parents and debating anything I didn’t agree with. Needless to say, I struggled with this narrative. But being new to the trading floor and desperately trying to fit in, I complied. Year after year, I said please and thank you like a good girl and patiently waited.

Everything changed the year following my first maternity leave. I was on the Equity Derivatives desk, expecting to come back to head up a new role when I received a call three-quarters into my leave asking if I could return early to help the futures desk. One of the traders had left for a competitor, leaving the desk severely short-staffed. Since I was fully licensed, they needed me to fill in until they found a more permanent solution. Being a “yes” woman at the time, of course, I agreed. A few weeks later, I found myself in that seat, learning how to trade one of the fastest products in the market. With the desk short on people and the market busier than ever, I was left to figure out a lot on my own. Sink or swim never felt so real as it did that first year trading. Neither did my imposter syndrome.

Despite the challenges and lack of training, I crushed it. I exceeded expectations and surpassed targets. Going into year-end, I was expecting big things. This was finally going to be the year I received the pay bump I had worked so hard for. Not for one second did I doubt it. Then, sitting across the table from my manager in mid-December for my review, I heard I was flat—no bump at all.

How could that be?

I came back early from leave, stepped into a revenue-generating seat, and outperformed. The most frustrating part was the realization that I had allowed this to happen. By not speaking up earlier and clearly communicating my goals, I took myself out of the game. The “sit back and wait” strategy failed me. I knew from that moment on that the only way to succeed in this environment was to take control of my career path and ensure my management hierarchy was not only aligned with my goals but also committed to making them happen. After a series of very uncomfortable conversations and a new advocacy strategy, I began to create intentional growth.

By next year I more than made up for the previous year’s lack of growth and well on my way to my next promotion. The days of trusting management to do right by me were over. From that day on, I made sure to ask for what I wanted and get their buy-in each step of the way. As my whole approach to advancement changed, my self-confidence began to regrow, and my imposter syndrome lessened.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I began my entrepreneurial journey, I never expected to become a content creator as well. I naively thought that as soon as I announced to the world that I had left the bank to pursue my passion for coaching, I would have immediate interest. The idea of becoming a thought leader on career advancement and leadership development was not part of the plan — at all.

So, when I started sharing my ideas online, you can imagine how uncomfortable it was. I had no idea what I was doing and dove in completely blind. I was constantly in my head about how to write — what to say and, more importantly, what not to say, always trying to maintain a professional tone. I feared judgment from both people I knew and strangers I had never met.

I spent years building a reputation at the bank and I was worried I’d tarnish it by speaking my truth.

Week after week, I kept at it. Writing and reading what others wrote, I began to appreciate how much I connected with others’ writing simply for its raw nature. I was drawn to creators who wrote from their true experiences — the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I envied their courage to write what they felt and thought, seemingly without resistance.

Writing vulnerably for the whole world to see isn’t easy. No matter what anyone says, it’s a challenge for most of us. To open up and display your failures, deepest frustrations, and wildest insecurities is incredibly hard. At least, it was for me.

Little by little, I began to let go. I let go of the pressure to show up a certain way. I let go of the fear of judgment.

Gradually, I found joy in the writing process. In many ways, writing freely became therapeutic. I was able to help others by sharing my stories while revisiting the lesson learned at the same time.

Looking back on my writing journey, I can honestly say that letting go was the best choice I made. It kept me engaged online, connecting with and supporting others, all while shaping my online presence grounded in authenticity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.natalieserebrennik.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie.serebrennik/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalie.serebrennik
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-serebrennik/