Meet Kateryna Armenta | Life and Career Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kateryna Armenta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kateryna, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” —William Faulkner
I took this quote to heart several times in my life.
Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Ukraine, I always knew my place was somewhere else. It was strange for my family, as none of them ever traveled outside the country except to Russia to visit my aunt and cousins. None of them understood why I had this strange belief and urge to see the world and live on a different continent.

Living in Ukraine, I couldn’t understand why other people’s opinions seemed to have such a big impact on every decision. It applied to everything—don’t do anything bad because of what others will think, but also don’t do too well because others might think something bad. It’s twisted, isn’t it? I hope it changes now with a new generation. But often, I felt like I was in a crab trap.

Have you ever seen a crab trap?
Well, if not, usually it is a simple wire box with a few round openings, nothing complicated. If you tried to catch a fish with it, you probably would not be lucky enough because if it could get in, it could get out too. But it is not the same with crabs. When the box gets full of crabs, if one tries to get out by crawling through the same opening, other crabs will pull it back in. And, apparently, you don’t even need a trap for that. Just a bucket is enough. The result will be the same! So it’s easy to get out, but not if everyone is holding you back either by their opinions or actions.
There are a lot of people who do wish you well, and they will offer their best opinion about your life from their experience. ABOUT YOUR LIFE FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE.
But a lot of other people are just like those crabs. They might intentionally keep you at the same level as theirs for many reasons, even if it means you will boil together…

So, as a smart and ambitious crab, I planned an escape. I packed my bag and asked my mother to purchase a one-way ticket to the United States of America. When I boarded the airplane, I was excited about my new life and a bit scared. Actually, I was terrified. I remember my mother asking me, “How are you not afraid to take this big step?” My answer was: “I am scared, but all I need to do now is board that airplane and let it take me there.”

When you are afraid, concentrate on the next step only. Don’t think too far ahead. Your brain will find more and more reasons not to take action. But one small step could be all you need to set everything in motion.

Don’t get me wrong. I learned a lot of important and valuable lessons as a child, and a lot of them were good, thanks to my parents. They tried their best to raise me to be an intelligent, conscious, and responsible person. But what I told you about, probably was my big reason to grow and move forward.

Today, I am who I am because of my past and my origins. I have experienced both the good and the bad, and I believe I have taken the best with me.

Whether we want it or not, our childhood has the biggest impact on who we are today. Cherish it, forgive it, and work with it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel what I do is an art of listening and reflecting.
As a life coach, I believe that deep listening is the cornerstone of any successful coaching relationship. It’s about creating a safe and sacred space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood.

When a client shares their story, their dreams, their fears, and their vulnerabilities, I listen with my whole being. I pay attention not only to their words, but also to their tone of voice, their body language, and the emotions that lie beneath the surface. I strive to create a space where they feel comfortable expressing their authentic selves, without judgment or fear of rejection.

Listening is just the first step. True transformation occurs when we reflect on what we’ve heard, both as coaches and as clients. Reflection allows us to gain deeper insights, identify patterns, and connect the dots between seemingly disparate thoughts and experiences.

As a coach, I use reflection to help clients uncover their own inner wisdom and discover their own solutions. I might ask thought-provoking questions, offer gentle observations, or simply mirror back what I’ve heard, allowing clients to see themselves and their situations from a new perspective.

While listening and reflection are essential components of my coaching practice, what truly sets me apart is the depth of love I hold for my clients. This love goes beyond simple liking or enjoyment of their company. It’s a love that is unconditional, unwavering, and transformative.

What does this love look like in action?

Acceptance: I love my clients enough to accept them fully, exactly as they are, with all their strengths, weaknesses, and imperfections. I don’t try to change them or mold them into someone they’re not.
Non-judgment: I love my clients enough to withhold judgment, even when they make choices that I might not personally agree with. I trust that they are doing the best they can with the resources and awareness they have at the time.
Challenge: I love my clients enough to push them beyond their comfort zones, to challenge their limiting beliefs, and to encourage them to step into their full potential. I know that true growth often requires discomfort and stretching beyond what feels familiar.
Support: I love my clients enough to provide unwavering support, even when they stumble or fall. I offer a safe space for them to process their emotions, learn from their experiences, and rise stronger than before.
Empowerment: I love my clients enough to see their inherent worth and potential, even when they can’t see it themselves. I empower them to trust their own intuition, make their own choices, and create their own path.
Detachment: I love my clients enough to let them go when they’re ready. I celebrate their successes and support their transitions, knowing that my role is to guide them, not to hold them back.

This love-centered approach to coaching can be incredibly transformative. When clients feel truly loved and accepted, they’re more likely to open up, take risks, and embrace vulnerability. They’re also more likely to trust their own inner wisdom and make choices that align with their authentic selves.

Of course, this level of love doesn’t always translate to instant liking. Clients might initially resist my challenges or feel uncomfortable with my unwavering honesty. But over time, as they experience the positive impact of this love on their lives, they often come to appreciate and even reciprocate it.

Coming into this career wasn’t easy. At first, my closest family didn’t believe that it is a real career. They doubted that I could help people by listening and reflecting. Like many artists, they thought I would go broke soon.”

I also worked on my beliefs, first coaching myself to think about them differently. Of course, people see your inner light, and you attract what is meant for you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, what a question! Assuming my friend shares similar interests, here’s what our itinerary would look like. First, we’d spend a day enjoying the stunning white sand beaches at St. Andrews Park and snorkeling among the rocks.

I’d take us to my favorite breakfast spot, Luna Muna Cafébar, located in historic St. Andrews. After that, we could stroll through the Oaks by the Bay Park to see the 300-year-old tree.

I can’t miss the chance to introduce my friend to my yoga instructor, so a trip to my yoga studio, Balance Yoga and Life, would definitely be on the agenda. We could also make a stop at The Press Downtown Coffee Shop and swing by the Baywitch shop.

Another must-do is visiting the springs, which are about 30 minutes away, where we could possibly take canoes down the creek.

We’d also take a trip to 30A to enjoy the beautiful European-style streets and indulge in a delicious lunch at La Crema Tapas & Chocolate.

If we’re fortunate, we’d try to attend the Emerald Coast Storytellers/Open Mic Readings in the evening.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my mother above all—she is my light and my beginning. Of course, many teachers, mentors, workshops, and books contributed to my development, and I could take a day to write about them. Today, one of my favorite organizations that works with the most interesting people is Gaia. They have a lot of insightful videos and movies with many recognized authors who may change the way you think about everything around you and yourself. It promotes my growth as a person and as a life coach.

Website: https://www.ambitiouswe.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiouswe_lifecoach

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateryna-elena-armenta-0976b79a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gemera.K

Image Credits
Irina Lenko