Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Etel Leit.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
At 39, I found myself on the floor. My heart had stopped beating. I saw the white light and had a near-death experience. After paramedics rushed me to the hospital and the doctors shared the diagnosis, I knew that wasn’t the cause of the real pain. The truth was I was an addict. But not to substance or behaviors.
Instead of substances, I was addicted to people. In every relationship I was in, I thought I could manipulate, help, save, or fix the other person. I believed that when my partner was “ok,” I would be “ok. To find the love, safety, and security I thought I needed, I became obsessed with judging, seeking, and searching for the cause, the cure, of my partner’s pain, issues, and problems. But I had lost myself. While on the outside, it looked like I had it an all—a beautiful home, dream vacations, and a nanny for my two children—on the inside, I was filled with shame, self-loathing, worthlessness, and betrayal. My addiction to people spilled over into every connection and moment and took over every area of my life.
I had to break free. I had to put down the magnifying glass that I was holding to my then-husband and all my past relationships and hold a mirror up to myself. After a process of self-discovery, accountability, and deep compassion, I broke through to the other side and found the life I love. I feel good in my own skin. I feel confident as a mother, friend, and partner. I realized ambitions I didn’t know I had, and now I am on a mission to help others do the same.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road is a smooth road, but when you follow your passions and what intuition – you will find a beautiful journey. I call it TMI = Trust My Intuition.
I recognized the need to emphasize positive psychology more; far too many studies and publications focus on its negative aspects, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Few research and coaches stand out as being positive in life. I subsequently decided to begin my Ph.D. and focus on Positive Psychology techniques. I started in the time of the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, after a few months of panicking and quarantine, while my business practically shut down, I knew I needed to do something instead of feeling sorry for myself (and the world). I decided to look within and pursue my dream- of getting my Ph.D.! Let me tell you, I didn’t know what I am getting myself into. My last time in academia was when I got my MS in leadership from Pepperdine university. In my high school yearbook, they wrote about me: “The Sky is NOT the Limit!” And it was never a limit.
Classes. Papers. More papers. Assignments. Reading books. More papers. Late-night studying. Then deciding on the research theme. Reviewing anything that was ever written about my dissertation question. Then (!) – a literature review. Preparing and planning the study. Seeking committee members. Getting their approval. Finding participants (what a process!). Interviewing participants. Data analyze. Writing the significance of the study and conclusions. Editing. Editing. More editing. Defending my research with the committee. I neglected a few more steps so as not to bore you (it’s long enough). But I have done this for the past two years and two months. Plus, two businesses.
Combining two businesses is not always easy. Having to decide on one business was like deciding which child do you love more. I then made the decision to merge my business. There are blended families, hence, blended passions. I believe that attachment issues come deeply from childhood. We then live in fear, in the absence instead of in abundance. I then decided to use my vast knowledge in parenting, child development, and personality and use within my work with adults who experience loss of relationships or breakdown of communications. The results were fantastic. My clients can now gain an understanding of the process in life and not as blaming what happened when they were children. Living in blame and pointing fingers will never get you to the next step, but acceptance, awareness, and action are the three components of self-work into a better life that anyone deserves.
Who is Dr. Etel Leit?
Dr. Etel Leit, Positive Psychology Researcher, Professor, Best-Seller Author, Child Development Expert, Sought after Keynote Speaker, Motivator, Media Personality.
Dr. Etel Leit served as a commander in Israeli Intelligence. Dr. Leit received her BA from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is a graduate of Pepperdine University with two Master’s Degrees in Leadership and Education. Dr. Leit received her Ph.D. in positive psychology by studying transpersonal psychology, which is the key to mastering the spectrum of our subconscious emotions so we can take positive action in real life. Dr. Etel Leit is the founder and CEO of SignShine, a Child Development Center in Beverly Hills, and supports many parents in their communication skills.
As a professor, Etel Leit teaches addiction, relationships, and developmental psychology. Dr. Leit is also the author of seven books, including the latest, “UnAddicted You,” which shows us how to release our inner addiction to people and discover our most magnetic selves. Dr. Leit is volunteering in a women’s jail, speaking about the meaning of being addicted to an addict. Dr. Leit believes our world and society can be safer, more productive, and more connected when we express, share, and receive the love and life we want. It’s the light way to live!
Tell us more what lead you to this?
After eighteen years of ongoing research and practice working with families and young parents, founding SignShine, I believe healthy relationships can only come from authentic self-expression and genuine connections. As a researcher, professor, author, speaker, and coach, I use my studies in language, positive psychology, and creative mastery to create the Leit Academy. From classes to speaking events to coaching one-on-one, thousands of people have benefited from my dynamic style to change their lives and receive the love they want, an authentic, loving relationship with themselves and others.
I help those living their lives for others finally live life for themselves. As a communication and relationship expert, I give people the tools they need to love the life they live. The key to my own story was accountability. With support, love, and curiosity, a whole new version of life is in store. It’s possible to feel more confident and more fulfilled. It’s possible to respect yourself while compassionately loving others. It’s the light way to love! And you don’t have to do it alone. If you are ready to stop people-pleasing, drop the drama and look within, then make yourself a priority, let’s talk today.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I speak four languages with different fonts: English, Hebrew, Arabic, and Sign Language, and I also know Spanglish. I also enjoy learning new languages and exploring new places. It provides me with a rich perspective on relationships and communication styles and helps me to remain open-minded about how people perceive others.
Pricing:
- 1500 – 4 weeks of personal coaching
Contact Info:
- Website: https://etelleit.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etelleit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EtelLeit
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrEtelLeit
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/signshine-beverly-hills-3
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11c1np95zy&hl=en-US&q=Etel+Leit&kgs=bb6093d30c56cc79&shndl=17&source=sh/x/kp/osrp/3&entrypoint=sh/x/kp/osrp
Image Credits
@DrEtelLeit
