Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Shiloh
Alright, so 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?
My story begins with the women in my family—particularly my maternal lineage. I come from a family of healers and nomads. Everything truly begins with my grandmother and mother, whose lives and stories shaped the woman I am today. Both of them had to leave their hometowns to explore new horizons and opportunities. I was born on the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine, where I spent much of my childhood unsupervised, immersed in nature, reading, and writing short stories. It was an unconventional upbringing, but I loved it.
At the age of 10, my own nomadic journey began when I immigrated to Central Europe, and with it came the weight of immigration trauma. I believe this was when I first stepped into my dharma, my life’s mission. Coming from a post-Soviet country, therapy was stigmatized. Instead of seeking help, I remember writing in my journal—one I kept throughout my teenage years—that I would “figure it out on my own.” And I tried. When I wasn’t escaping through drinking, partying, or using drugs, I spent my time reading and researching everything about the mind, consciousness, and spirituality. I became the embodiment of polarities.
During this phase of “self-therapy,” I realized how much of my healing came through writing. So, meditation, studying ancient Eastern traditions, and writing kept me grounded during those turbulent years.
At 22, I moved to Cyprus, where I studied under photographer Nicos Philippou, a mentor who profoundly influenced my path. There, I launched a documentary photography project focusing on female artists and their re-telling of the island’s history. This project took me not just around Cyprus but also to India, the UK, and Central Europe, where I interviewed countless women. I heard stories of creativity and inspiration, but also of abuse and deep trauma.
Moved by these stories, I returned from my travels and dedicated my academic years to studying trauma, psychoanalysis, and women’s narratives. For six years, I delved into trauma from cultural and societal perspectives in university libraries. I realized that trauma isn’t only psychological—it’s also genetic, ancestral, and cultural. Some professors told me to scale back, saying my work strayed too far from the humanities and belonged in psychology or neuroscience. But I was determined to bring spiritual healing into the humanities.
On the verge of enrolling in a PhD program, where I planned to explore memoir writing and the re-telling of female history as a tool for healing, I had a breakdown (or perhaps a breakthrough). I realized I didn’t want to live my life within academia. After eight years and two master’s degrees, I no longer wanted to write papers—I wanted to make a tangible, life-changing impact on women.
So, I shifted my focus to wellness and spirituality—which I kept in the privacy of my meditation room until then. I became a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, a women’s circle leader, and a coach. Once again, I packed my bags and embraced a full-time nomadic life.
I moved to Hawai’i to live in an intentional community in the jungle. It was there that my PhD idea evolved into a personal project—helping women process trauma through psychosomatic healing practices and writing. Surrounded by exotic birds, fruits, and people from all over the world, I worked on my own book and guided students globally from my jungle cabin. I later spent a couple of years solo traveling through Mexico, Guatemala, Egypt, and Ecuador, learning ancient storytelling traditions and ways of connecting to the land and spirit realms. Through these experiences, I remembered and reconnected with my own roots, weaving them into my everyday encounters and lessons.
Today, I guide women to rise, rewrite their stories, and reclaim their sovereignty. I help them activate their gifts, embrace their shadows, and live with trust and freedom. I use memoir writing as a therapeutic tool, helping them confront limiting beliefs and create new narratives. I combine this work with my inherited divination gifts, yoga & meditation for embodied transformation, and psychosomatic healing for deep-rooted trauma release.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think my life has ever been a smooth road, honestly. I come from poverty and grew up in a pretty dangerous neighborhood. My childhood humbled me in so many ways. Everything I’ve learned, all of my values, come from my time in Ukraine. When I immigrated, it was about building on that foundation. The struggles settled into my teenage years. Despite immigrating to one of the wealthiest countries in the world with an amazing healthcare system, I was miserable. Most teenagers were. The education system made immigrants feel like they were less than human, and there was no space for creativity or experimentation. By the time I turned 20, I had already lost several friends to depression and suicide. It was a dark time, but everything that came after—I was ready for.
While I do blame the unjust global systems and patriarchal chaos that exist in the world, I’ve come to realize that a lot of what makes the path harder comes from within—the human mind. About five years ago, I started noticing that most of my complaints were created by my mind. Our minds spin stories that aren’t real. These are the less positive aspects of storytelling—beliefs deeply embedded in us from ancestry, upbringing, society, and education. None of these stories actually serve us. They’re planted to stunt our growth and limit our potential as human beings.
Once I recognized that I was often playing the victim—and by doing so, giving my power away—I began to find “the road” a little smoother. Everything goes as it’s meant to. Even my struggles were just opportunities for growth. And the more I walk through these challenges with excitement, trust, and confidence, the more delicious life becomes.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work focuses on guiding women to rewrite their life narratives by addressing trauma, limiting beliefs, and ancestral patterns. Using tools like Tarot, Kundalini Yoga, memoir writing, and psychosomatic healing, I help my clients reconnect with their feminine flow, remember their mission, and reclaim their sovereignty.
What sets my approach apart is its holistic nature—I’m not just offering coaching or spiritual guidance. I integrate memoir writing as a healing tool, helping women reframe their stories, dig into their ancestral stories, and heal from the inside out. This approach empowers women to tap into their inherited strengths rather than operate from a place of trauma. I am convinced that this multi-layered approach provides deep healing on emotional, spiritual, and cellular levels.
I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed in the women I’ve worked with—whether it’s overcoming addiction, healing sexual trauma, or simply learning to live fully in their feminine power. Watching them reclaim their authentic voices and live unapologetically is the greatest reward of this work.
Initially, what truly sets me apart is the unique blend of storytelling and spiritual healing. I see each woman’s life as a narrative that deserves to be rewritten with empowerment and grace, and my role is to help her do just that—through the lens of her personal story, ancestral & cultural wisdom, and embodied healing practices.
I also think that my multicultural background and global experience help me in my work. I’ve worked with women from all over the world! This not only enhances my ability to connect with diverse clients but also enriches my approach to healing. Fluent in six languages and with a strong background in cultural studies, I offer a global perspective, meeting women wherever they are, regardless of their background. This cultural sensitivity helps me create a more inclusive and empowering space for transformation.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
There’s something about the city that keeps me creative, inspired, and energized—maybe it’s the sun? Honestly, LA’s creative energy feels like it’s hanging in the air. The multicultural melting pot makes me curious about every person’s story, their lifestyle, their biggest fears, and desires. I think LA keeps me on my toes—in the best way.
What I like least is the neglect of certain parts of the city and the visceral suffering you see on the streets. It highlights how deeply systemic these issues are, and at times, it makes me feel powerless. Coming from a very neglected city and neighborhood myself, I know exactly what that feels like—the sense of being overlooked and left behind. It’s a pain I recognize all too well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateshylo/
Image Credits
Image with blue turban: Sofia Drobinskaya
