Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tania Chomyk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tania, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Our mission isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are.
At the heart of my work is a simple yet powerful purpose: to bring light to loss.
For years, I held helping roles supporting others through transitions, listening deeply, offering guidance. But it wasn’t until I faced a loss of my own—the passing of my son, Danylo—that I began to understand the deeper mission that now shapes everything I do.
Grief entered my life in a way that couldn’t be ignored, but I didn’t know how to speak about it; not yet. I found my own quiet way of dealing with it. Even when I wrote a paper during my Master’s studies, it wasn’t meant for the world. It was something between me, my books, a box of Kleenex, and the words that found their way onto the page. A private sharing with one professor. But that paper marked the beginning of something; a gentle nudge toward purpose.
Years later, I revisited those words and turned them into a speech; The Million Dollar Family, which won an award and unlocked a new part of me. That moment showed me the power of speaking grief aloud. Of not only honoring my son’s memory but also creating space for others to feel seen in their pain.
That’s when I realized my mission: to help others navigate loss by bringing light, language, and love to it. I’ve even redefined grief in my book as:
Gratitude Reminds us of the Invaluable Essence from which growth Flourishes.
Grief may shape us, but it doesn’t define us. Love does. Purpose does.
Now, through speaking, writing, and my upcoming memoir Bringing Light to Loss, I share my story in honor of Danylo; keeping his name alive and supporting the Child Life Program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. My mission is personal. It’s lived. And it’s a daily reminder that even the most private pain can eventually illuminate the path forward—for ourselves and for others.
Tania, 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’m Tania Chomyk, a life transition expert, award-winning resilience speaker, and grief educator. After more than 30 years in higher education and personal development, I now guide individuals through some of life’s most challenging seasons—with clarity, courage, and compassion.
My path into this work wasn’t planned—it was lived. I’ve experienced three major life transitions: the unexpected loss of my infant son, the dissolution of my marriage, and a sudden shift in my career. Each of these moments unraveled the life I knew and invited me to rebuild, not just externally, but from within. What began as personal healing gradually transformed into purposeful work.
Today, I help others feel, heal, and rise. Whether they’re navigating grief, burnout, or professional crossroads, I provide tools and support to help them reclaim their voice and lead with intention. Through my coaching programs, workshops, and keynotes, I create spaces where people reconnect with who they are, and who they want to become.
My signature program, Be the CEO of Your Career/Life, was born out of a desire to help people shift from autopilot to intentional action. It’s designed to move participants from feeling stuck or unfulfilled to aligned and empowered; grounded in their values, character strengths, and unique spark.
I also write. My upcoming memoir, Bringing Light to Loss, is a deeply personal reflection on grief, love, and the resilience it takes to carry both. The book honors my son Danylo’s short but meaningful life. A portion of the proceeds supports the Child Life Program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital; bringing light, in a small but significant way, to children facing illness.
What sets my work apart is that it’s not just professionally informed, it’s human. I’ve sat in the silence of loss, wrestled with uncertainty, and made my way forward one decision at a time. I don’t offer quick fixes or platitudes. I offer inspiration, presence, perspective, and possibility.
I’m most proud of the lives I’ve helped shift; from stuck to self-led. And of turning pain into purpose; not just for myself, but in service to others.
Right now, I’m gearing up for the EmpowerHer Summit on October 5th—a transformative day designed to help women Rise, Lead, and Thrive. It’s for women navigating burnout, life transitions, or reinvention; an opportunity to reconnect with their voice, reclaim their power, and embrace their CEO within. It’s more than an event—it’s a movement.
If you take one thing away about me and my work, let it be this: you are not alone. Whether you’re grieving, re-imagining your life, or trying to find your spark again, your next chapter matters, and your future self will thank you for starting today.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One important lesson I had to unlearn is the belief that I could control or fix every situation—especially when the environment wasn’t right for me. For a long time, I thought that working hard, having good intentions, and being loyal would be enough to thrive. But over time, I realized that where you are matters just as much as how hard you try. If the people or culture around you don’t support your strengths and values, it can hold you back and dim your spark.
My turning point came when I felt disconnected and started to withdraw; that’s how I knew I was no longer meant to be there. It was a sad realization, but it taught me to listen closely to my gut; because unlike the mind, which can be clouded by fear or hope, our intuition rarely deceives us. Trusting that inner knowing helped me recognize when it was time to move on, to release what I couldn’t control, and to focus my energy where I could truly grow, contribute, and lead.
This shift, from trying to change others or systems, to trusting my own wisdom and honoring my limits, has been one of the most freeing and powerful lessons in my journey. Now, I live in flow rather than contraction, which I believe is the best way to navigate life’s inevitable changes. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is step away from what no longer serves us, so we can fully step into who we’re meant to be.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A significant pivot in my career began with a vision board I created in 2019. Rather than focusing on specific goals, it was a philosophical reflection of my values and outlook on life. At the center, I placed an image of myself standing before an open door; a powerful symbol calling me to embrace freedom and take full ownership of my career and life. This vision wasn’t just a hopeful image; it became a guiding force that inspired me to take intentional steps toward living that reality.
This shift led me to fully embrace entrepreneurship about five years ago. I transitioned into freelance work that aligns deeply with my mission; speaking, coaching, teaching, and writing. The pivot also inspired me to develop my signature program, Be the CEO of Your Career/Life, which empowers women to make clear, values-driven decisions and confidently follow their unique paths.
Additionally, this vision board opened the door for me to create workshops on visioning, which have become a key part of my work and a way to help others connect with their purpose.
While the journey hasn’t always been smooth, trusting the process and staying true to my values has been essential. That pivot taught me that embracing change with intention leads to meaningful growth and fulfillmentand that sometimes, stepping through an open door is the bravest and most rewarding choice we can make.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taniachomyk.com/
- Instagram: @taniachomyk
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/coachtaniachomyk
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniachomyk
- Other: https://taniachomyk.com/
Image Credits
Cynthia Magliocco – Professional Photographer
https://www.facebook.com/cynthiasignature