Today we’d like to introduce you to Stas Kurgansky.
Stas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2023, at the crossroads of my personal and professional life, I left a successful tech career to begin a new journey. Inspired by my challenges and realizations as an immigrant and a member of the LGBTQ+ community and driven by the desire to make a difference and support others, I became a life coach.
I moved to the US in 2015 from Russia with little spoken English, two pieces of luggage, and a $10K loan. This was my starting point. I lived in Los Angeles, then San Diego, and finally back in Los Angeles. With an engineering background and considering that the tech industry is a big field in California, the professional choice was obvious. I taught myself programming and managed to build a career as a software engineer within six years. I achieved everything I wanted in life since moving to the US, but to my great surprise, instead of living “happily ever after,” I found myself at a dead end.
When the pandemic hit, it provided a space for deep reflection on my life and the direction I was heading. After examining my life, I came to realize that everything I had at the time was not what I wanted. My career choice and industry were made out of necessity, not passion; my relationship wasn’t fulfilling. At the same time, I knew there was something inside me holding me back, an obstacle I had to face before I could move forward. I needed to start everything over again. It was the first time in my life when I had space for myself without a particular direction, focusing on the internal rather than the external world.
I needed support, so I signed up for an online course from a coaching school, and it was transformative. I discovered a community of like-minded people dedicated to supporting your growth, accepting and embracing you for who you are. It resonated with me on so many levels, and despite all the cultural differences and our diverse backgrounds, we spoke the same universal truths. This course helped me realize that learning, growing, setting bold challenges, and improving myself were always my passions, and I wanted to continue doing that. Where I got in life is only because of my dedication and internal strength. I realized that I wanted to support others on their paths, too, so they could go through their growth and address challenges toward their goals and dreams. I decided to become a life coach and joined a year-long coaching training program.
After successfully completing the training program and mastering coaching skills, at the beginning of 2024, I launched my private coaching practice. In my work, I provide individual support for people with similar backgrounds, as well as share my wisdom and experience through webinars and workshops. I’m dedicated to providing my services remotely worldwide, but I’m also exploring ways to integrate into local LA-based communities and nonprofit organizations where my services can be useful for leaders and those involved in active work and in need of support from a coach.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was born and raised in a small town on the east side of Russia, even further east than Siberia. I wasn’t prepared for any of what happened to me. I knew I wanted to live in a big city somewhere outside of my country, but I never imagined that I would live on the opposite side of the world in Los Angeles. Establishing my life in a new country was only possible through dedicated, focused work and personal growth.
Immigration is an adventure that demands a specific set of skills. It’s a challenging journey where success hinges on dedication and sacrifice as you acquire all the necessary skills to thrive in a new place. It’s almost as if you enter survival mode, striving to make it by focusing on the most immediate priorities. Another challenge arises over time, as my ties to my country of origin weaken, leading me to live between two worlds. It feels as though you no longer belong to the country where you are from, yet you have not fully found your place in the new one. This transition requires making difficult decisions to let go of many aspects of your past life and start anew in a different country.
Another aspect is that back in Russia, where I grew up, there wasn’t much discussion about searching for self-identity or defining one’s identity, especially if you belonged to the LGBTQ+ community. It simply wasn’t an option, and I remained in the closet for many years. After moving here, I was preoccupied with other, more pressing work, so I tucked all my problems away while building my life in a new country. However, this issue always lingered in the background. I knew something was preventing me from being my true self; I was aware of it but never had the time or courage to confront it.
It was only three years ago that I came out to my family and close friends. I finally decided to embrace this part of myself and allow it space on my own terms. Even though I was in a relationship, I couldn’t fully breathe. It felt as though I was in the most tolerant city and the most liberated place in the world, yet I still didn’t feel free to be who I am.
With my new coaching practice, I’m navigating a set of challenges I’ve never faced before:
Being a public speaker;
Leading webinars and workshops;
Being active on social media;
Writing and creating content;
Promoting myself;
Dealing with technology.
It demands wearing many hats simultaneously; you need to master various skills and operate on multiple levels. All of this is new to me; while it’s an exciting journey filled with growth, it pushes me constantly out of my comfort zone and requires learning new skills. Along the way, the challenge lies in remaining authentic and genuine and in finding my unique voice.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Stas Kurgansky Coaching, LLC?
I work as a full-time life coach, providing individual support through 1-on-1 coaching sessions and sharing my knowledge in webinars and workshops. I also share my experiences to support others in transforming their lives to be more meaningful, approaching everything with mindfulness.
I assist people in making significant changes, such as transitioning careers, opening businesses, or starting dream projects. I contribute to the growth of new leaders and help them navigate challenges along their paths. Additionally, I support those at life’s crossroads or those who wish to embrace more of their authentic selves.
As an immigrant and a gay man, my focus is on providing support to immigrants, first-gens, bilinguals, biracial people, LGBTQ+ folks, and other minorities or historically disadvantaged groups.
I am proud to be part of the incredible community of coaches. I’ve met unique and genuine individuals dedicated to supporting others in their growth. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’ve received immense support on my journey.
The most rewarding part of my work is being present with my clients as they discuss their dreams and ideas. It’s inspiring to see someone with a vision for a different life who is ready to embrace it. Witnessing their growth and transformation and recognizing that I can support them in their endeavors is a true honor. Sharing this space with such individuals is deeply fulfilling.
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to understand that many things are possible. There is always a way to rediscover ourselves, with endless opportunities for growth and new beginnings at every stage of life. Life’s challenges and adventures are constant, underscoring that change and transformation are perpetual, regardless of age or life stage. My journey has taught me invaluable lessons, and I am now fully prepared to support others on their paths.
Many individuals with backgrounds similar to mine are still on the journey to discovering their authentic selves and realizing their full potential. In a place like Los Angeles, there is a strong desire among many to make a meaningful difference in their lives and the lives of others. Especially of they are from immigrant and LGBTQ+ background.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Los Angeles is the heart of movies, live theater, music, and comedy. It fuels my diverse interests across these fields, always offering new things to explore, learn, and get excited about. The city is bursting with talent.
I’m a huge movie fan and particularly cherish American Cinematheque. Among the four movie theaters they own, the Aero Theater on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica stands out as my favorite. Watching movies is a communal experience like no other. The cinema showcases a vast array of classics, great films, and director retrospectives. It offers the unique opportunity to catch films that aren’t blockbusters on the big screen. Experiencing “Spartacus” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” for the first time in this setting was unforgettable. Surrounded by fellow cinephiles, I feel right at home. Movies have this incredible power to transcend language and cultural differences.
I’m also a big lover of live theater. You can catch amazing performances in some smaller theaters and enjoy a great show for just $10-$20. The acting and theater scene here is filled with people who really love live theater—they’re incredibly talented and dedicated. If you’re up for it, places like Rogue Machine Theater, Ruskin Group Theatre, Actors Co-op, Atwater Village Theatre, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, and Interact Theatre Company are definitely worth a visit.
And when it comes to music, LAs got some hidden gems where you can score tickets on the cheap, like at Zebulon, El Cid, and Lodge Room. You’re looking at about $15-30 for a night of fantastic music. These spots bring in authentic, heartfelt tunes from South America, the Middle East, Africa, and of course, local talent. The crowd at these concerts is there for the love of music and everything the musicians stand for. I always use the DICE app to find these genuine music events. Plus, I’ve discovered some record stores host intimate gigs—my latest find being the “Heaving Force of the Universe.”
LA is full of comedy too. Aside from famous spots like the Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, and the Improv, I also recommend checking out The Largo at the Coronet and Dynasty Typewriter for their unique, less mainstream performances. It’s a real joy to catch a show there.
What draws me to Los Angeles in relation to my coaching practice is the incredible diversity of cultures and communities. This city is a melting pot where you meet people from all corners of the world, each with their own unique stories and life experiences. I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures, people’s experiences, and stories. My work gives me the chance to engage with, learn from, and hopefully impact a wide range of communities.
However, the traffic, the distances, and the lack of comprehensive public transport can be challenging. I’m looking forward to the new purple metro line completion, which will make trips to Korea Town and Downtown more accessible without needing a car. Plus, the rising costs in the city, especially after the pandemic, have been noticeable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.staskurg.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staskurgcoach/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StasKurganskyLifeCoach
- Other: https://medium.staskurg.com/
