Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Janka.
Victoria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up on the east coast and was a generally happy kid. Between the ages of 11 and 17, I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and Lyme disease. I think having depression at such a young age made it challenging for me to figure out my talents and interests. I never wanted to be a part of any after-school activities, didn’t try any sports, wasn’t a member of fun clubs. Honestly, just showing up for class was such a struggle and college wasn’t much better. I went to five colleges, switched majors from fashion design to psych to art history and finally got my associates in dance. Besides my faith, I felt lost and without clear direction. It was about a ten-year journey to figure out what I was really passionate about and how I could make some kind of life around that.
Studying dance led me to yoga which I then got certified in. Around that time, I fell in love with self-development and I began to realize how common mental illness is, especially amongst millennials. Being an overcomer of depression and seeing what a need there was to have people that could relate but be a few steps ahead gave me so much purpose and direction. I feel immensely grateful that I get to encourage people that are looking to move out of being “mentally ill” and support them on their way to their dreams.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
To be honest, I feel like my road really began in the depths of depression when I was a teenager. I was suicidal all throughout high school but was convinced I was put here for a reason. I remember thinking to myself, if I choose to live and that helps just one other person, then it will have been worth it. I think that belief is really what led me to pursue coaching and helping others many years later.
The biggest struggles I’ve hit along the way haven’t been external, but more the mental battle of dealing with fears and insecurities. Starting any kind of business is challenging and scary, but when the product you’re selling is rooted in your personal experiences, that’s quite a bit more exposed. Every time I tell someone what I do, I end up relaying my mental health battles and how I still work to overcome them. It’s a very vulnerable business, but that’s exactly what I wanted it to be.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a Mental Wellness Coach; I help people prioritize and cultivate their emotional health. I like to compare what I do to occupational therapy but for mental health: I teach tools and exercises while supporting people coming out of mental illness to help them discover direction, and create more peace and joy.
I’ve spent the last few years studying, practicing, and creating a business that encompasses mental and emotional wellness by utilizing coaching rooted in EFT, NLP, hypnosis. As a certified yoga teacher, I see the power of the mind-body-spirit connection and believe that their relationship with one another is always changing and our battle as humans is to create balance between them.
I believe your thoughts create your reality. I also believe thoughts are influenced by beliefs, memories, and patterns that can be changed. By shifting the perspective around the memories that have created your current thought systems, I facilitate a tailored approach to wellness.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
It’s been challenging to break out of the cultural mold of money and material things to determine my success. Currently, where I’m at as a coach, success looks more like being a hope for those who don’t have an example of overcoming depression and anxiety, living out of love, and continually working on myself. Of course, I have desires, goals I want to accomplish, books I want to write, but I’d rather be motivated by my internal values instead of achievements that are external and fleeting. I think being motivated by personal values can prevent burnout, which, a lot of time, is created by outside expectations, even if those expectations are self-initiated.
Pricing:
- 6 week package: $2,500
- 8 week package: $3,500
- 10 week package: $5,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.victoriajanka.com
- Phone: (213) 379-5295
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @victoriajankacoaching
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriajanka
Image Credit:
Marissa Elaine Photography
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