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Speech Transcript

Unknown Speaker  0:00  

Hey, this is Yelena with the Yelena K coaching. And if you really want to level up your life, you should be listening to the time to shine to the podcast with my dear friend Scott Ferguson,

Unknown Speaker  0:13  

time to shine today varsity podcast squad Scott Ferguson with episode one at one with my really dear good friend, Elena who’s Mina or just Coach K, Coach K kind of a team here from Russia. And she had to learn the language, get a job and she was really on her own. And she is the epitome of adapting and overcoming. And, you know, she had to learn again, the language, she had to learn the customs. And now she just fits right in and if you didn’t hear a hint of her accent, you would think that man she’s fully was born in the United States and whatnot. But again, no matter where you land is that she’s gonna thrive so she has a fantastic story, and I can’t wait to share it with you. So without further ado, here’s my really, really really good friend Elena, who’s Mina that coach let’s level up.

Unknown Speaker  1:12  

Time to shine today varsity squad at Scott Ferguson and I got some home cooking here. Really good friend of mine from South Florida. Elena who’s Nina, which I know I butchered the last time because in Russian it’s set a different way. But I’m just going to call it Elena because she’s my beautiful friend here in South Florida. She helps others level up she has a really cool story kind of of coming over from overseas in Russia. And you know, coming into the United States learning the language and really leveling up. She’s currently a licensed mental health therapist in here in South Florida. She working for a local community agency for private practice but she’s also expanding her wings to start Elena coaching which is I’m so stoked for I help her where I can. She’s a fellow coach her mind she really is a driven woman in that’s why me and her match, like really good. So you Elena kind of come on to the time to shine today squad. Introduce yourself. But what emoji Do you use the most when you text?

Unknown Speaker  2:17  

Hey, so nice to be here. Thanks for having me. Yeah, emoji. Yeah, I think it’s pretty much a crying face like smiley face. Yeah. And, and maybe thumbs up as well.

Unknown Speaker  2:34  

is the one where you’re laughing? crying? Is it straight up? Or is it sideways?

Unknown Speaker  2:39  

No, it’s straight up straight up. Straight up.

Unknown Speaker  2:42  

I love it. So what’s your favorite color is Lena?

Unknown Speaker  2:46  

Ah, that’s kind of a tough question. For me. Well, I’m wearing kind of random black. That’s one of my favorite colors. But I like to change it up. I can’t really come up with just that’s my color. And I am just committed to this. I like it. You know, sometimes I feel like pink sometimes I feel like black. Yeah, sometimes I feel like green. And it really depends. Yeah, all of them are in your color wheel. They

Unknown Speaker  3:07  

all look great on you. But I kind of look at you kind of like a red, you know, but also with a nice cool blue streak as well, because you’re very driven. But you’re also a great listener, and in a great communicator. So I love those two colors for you. So tell us about your origins. Let’s go back to your a child kind of growing up. And was it the Soviet Union then? Or was it Russia yet?

Unknown Speaker  3:30  

Well, yeah, I’m was born in 80. So it was a Soviet Union at that time. And when I was about 10, then it kind of came or crashed into the and and it was pretty, not fun times for anyone. So at it, so I’m kind of a child of both.

Unknown Speaker  3:49  

Okay, gotcha. Gotcha. What, what made you come to the States, then how did that work out the process of you coming to the United States? Because you and I are friends? Yeah. I’ve never asked you this before. You know, we’ve talked a little bit about like, you weren’t in the ice cream shops and stuff here in South Florida. You know, while you’re learning the language and getting your start here, but what was the journey like coming from the former Soviet Union and Russia, the United States? And how did that happen?

Unknown Speaker  4:16  

That is a good question. I kind of don’t even know how many years later How did it happen? I when I was kind of such a funny story. I like I need an hour to say the whole story.

Unknown Speaker  4:27  

Let’s condense it down in just a couple minutes. A little Of course,

Unknown Speaker  4:29  

of course. Yeah. So I was I was I was actually going to my English major in Russia. So that’s kind of gave me a good platform and a start to speak English and a certain level. And then there was a program that it was cool to go to America and just as a student, and just make some money and come back or you know travel. So kind of jump on that as few of my friends And yeah, and then a couple of months later, like, I landed in the US knowing nobody, pretty much, I’m just kind of having a couple of not even close friends with me. And yeah, it was just we just took it from there.

Unknown Speaker  5:17  

Was it hard to get into that program, Elena like, or was it? Did they take anybody? Was it hard? Did you have to qualify? Somehow, if you remember to get into that program, it

Unknown Speaker  5:27  

was not hard. It was pretty much like a not a student exchange. But it was just an opportunity for a student who speaks English. You go and visit and work in another country. And it was not necessarily America, but it just I chose the us it was kind of the furthest.

Unknown Speaker  5:49  

Gotcha. And what, what do you what, how many degrees do you have?

Unknown Speaker  5:56  

Oh, my goodness. So it’s kind of complicated, because I have a degree that’s equivalent master’s degree in Russia, which was a problem at that time of five years straight. So when I came to the US, and I decided to get education in the US, it just felt right to me. They gave me bachelor’s. Oh,

Unknown Speaker  6:17  

wow. Yeah. So when you did in Russia, they started you off with a bachelor’s. So you can work towards a master’s degree here. Yeah,

Unknown Speaker  6:23  

exactly. So I got bachelors of science as pretty much based on my diploma in my classes over there. And then that’s how I decided to choose to go and get a master’s degree over here in psychology.

Unknown Speaker  6:37  

Gotcha. So what did your family think about you staying in the United States and not really going back to Russia?

Unknown Speaker  6:44  

It was really tough on them. And and me, we were not able to see each other for years because paperwork was such a drag. It was taken a long time. And my mom was really, it was hard on her. It was hard on her plus, we didn’t even have Skype back then. Like three Oh, technology, right?

Unknown Speaker  7:05  

Yeah. And letters are making phone calls,

Unknown Speaker  7:09  

actual phone calls, but they cost a fortune. You know, anime is coming up with a student who is making $6 an hour cash, which is a lot of money for me. At that time. It was like, yeah, you know, I just work an hour and talk for a few minutes with my parents. And that was the only map pretty much communication that I had over the phone.

Unknown Speaker  7:31  

Okay, yeah. You get to see him a little bit more now.

Unknown Speaker  7:34  

Oh, yeah, I go up there every other year. I’ve been there that that’s actually two years ago, the last time and now I’m not sure what the next time because of the situation that we have going on pandemic? Yeah. Okay.

Unknown Speaker  7:48  

So let’s talk about how you kind of parlayed into, you know, a mental health therapist and into your coaching. How did that all come about?

Unknown Speaker  8:00  

Yeah, that’s a good question. I, I was, I graduated about what, seven, eight years ago and been doing therapy in the agencies and working with, you know, from children to adults and couples and teenagers. But I kind of wanted to bring something else to them. And I started diving into self development, and then coaching came along, and it’s awesome. I love it. I love it. It feels like I’m bringing a different level of therapy. That’s kind of incorporating with coaching, if, if that’s what works for the clients,

Unknown Speaker  8:42  

I love that because you know, therapy, a lot of the therapists and correct me if I’m wrong, they dig into their past where coaching like myself, I learn about their past, but I really pull them forward. So you live kind of the best of both worlds, right? You have that profession and that mindset, correct?

Unknown Speaker  8:57  

Yeah. And that’s kind of what I love about it. Because, yes, with my clients, with my coaching clients, we can dig in the past. If it works for you, I’m okay with that, right? Because you know, I’m here for you and to help you in the best of the abilities that I have. And we spent few sessions in the past and take care of that. So we can actually build the present and future because some people are not able to move on their past. And they are not able to be the best version of themselves because whatever happened or the way they’re actually looking at it,

Unknown Speaker  9:31  

because they’re kind of stuck there in their mind. Exactly. And you’re able to with your expertise, pull them forward. So you Elena, what do you think makes a great coach?

Unknown Speaker  9:41  

What makes a great coach First, I want to start over the relationship with my clients. Because if we don’t have good relationship, good, safe relationship, that coaching will be challenging. You need to have a connection and make a flying client feel feeling safe? And at the same time, client needs to be there to help themselves. I, you know, I, if you’re not ready to help yourself than does that much I can do

Unknown Speaker  10:14  

love that. So you don’t really bring them in and tell them what to do you kind of guide them and they kind of make their decisions, right. Yeah. They’re willing to be helped. Correct?

Unknown Speaker  10:25  

Exactly. Absolutely. I’m not there to tell you what to do. I can point out to some things that I see that can be worked on. But it’s ultimately up to you because it’s all about you. Gotcha. Yeah. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker  10:38  

If, what is your kind of secret sauce, if you will, when you’re starting to work with a client to help them find their blind spots?

Unknown Speaker  10:48  

Well, first, I think it’s like I said, I want to start with relationship. And I. The other thing is, perception is the key perception and facts, perception and behaviors, perception on yourself. And how you see yourself is the key for me to be a good coach and point out to who you truly are. I want to make my clients be the best version of themselves.

Unknown Speaker  11:20  

I love that. I love it. I love it. So when you’re starting to work with a new client, or maybe even you’re just in the discovery process to make sure it’s a good relationship fit. Is there any good question that you wish they would ask you, but never do?

Unknown Speaker  11:37  

How can I help myself?

Unknown Speaker  11:39  

Love it? Love it? Or like even what do you expect of me almost right? Because like, that’s what my coaches when I first started off, I asked him, What are you expecting from me? As you know, you give me you impart on me your wisdom. I love it. I love that you said that. Because they have to be willing to help themselves. Right.

Unknown Speaker  11:59  

Exactly. And that’s that’s kind of my key points. If you’re not willing to make any progress to take any imperfect actions, if you’re willing to give me 100 million excuses, that we’re not gonna make the progress.

Unknown Speaker  12:11  

Love it. I love it. Yeah, perfect action. That’s beautiful. That’s beautiful. So if I’m out at a networking event, you know, pressing some flash meeting people, how I know it, listening to what they have to say that I’m people that I’m talking to? How would I know if they What are they saying to me? To make them a good contact connection referral to Elena?

Unknown Speaker  12:33  

Yeah, absolutely. First of all, if they want to make a change, they maybe feel stuck, they want to do something else, they feel like they want to do something, maybe they don’t know how, maybe they don’t know, where. But if you feel stuck, and you believe that you can do better, or you can do more bate, be a better version of yourself, maybe for yourself, maybe for your kids, maybe for your loved ones, whatever your reasons are, if you’re ready to do it, then I’m here for you

Unknown Speaker  13:05  

love it. I love it. And that’s this. So if you’re stuck, and you know that there’s a better version of yourself, you just don’t know how to unleash that.

Unknown Speaker  13:12  

Exactly.

Unknown Speaker  13:13  

No swag, get ahold of me, and I can definitely put you personally in touch with Elaine, I have, you know, I’m blessed to be able to grab coffee with Elaine about a month and kind of talk and bounce ideas off of each other. So, Elaine, I’m curious what, what keeps you up at night?

Unknown Speaker  13:28  

How many people can I help that, that are able to receive my help and see me as a as a guide? as a guide? Okay, yeah. as a guide as somebody who is there for them, as well. Yeah. Love it.

Unknown Speaker  13:47  

And so what do you think people misunderstand about you the most?

Unknown Speaker  13:53  

Yeah, fun question. It can be a couple of things. It can be maybe some of the cultural things of the Russian or Soviet Union behaviors. But I think sometimes I tend to, when it’s type situation, I tend to not really show much feelings. It doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means I mean business we need to do we need to take care of that. And then it kind of comes down as like, oh, okay, I’m ready to have my moment. Now. It’s actually out of Thank you can come back with that, because it’s kind of pretty much like a veteran, you know, like you got you in the army, right? And you’re going through that tough stretch of time that you need to be focused, you don’t really, you don’t really there, you’re not there to show your feelings and be all soft softy because there is not time and place for that at that moment. So when the veteran comes home and you know, have the symptoms of PTSD, it’s because they’re ready to feel and they’re not numb anymore, right? So it’s pretty much I think, similar to that, like if I need to focus and do something I may be a little cold. Alright, Luke a little tough, but doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means I need to get things done.

Unknown Speaker  15:05  

I even know that personally because I thought you were mad about something before. Like Scott, I’m not mad, I’m just focused. So I understand. I love it. So you Elena who has had the most profound impact on your life,

Unknown Speaker  15:17  

who,

Unknown Speaker  15:20  

probably my parents and my friends, my mom was a professional athlete. So I tend to travel a lot with her. And that gave me such a base of been true of what I’m capable of in a pretty tough situations. And I get to know other people not through when you have perfect conditions, you’re not gonna know a person

Unknown Speaker  15:50  

not gonna grow either.

Unknown Speaker  15:51  

Exactly. And, and, and that, that what makes a guest. The impact is so important of the way I was growing up. I grew up it was pretty tough. And that made me more resilient to tough situation. And I know I can just make it pretty much out of anyway,

Unknown Speaker  16:14  

right? Yeah, so I figured out your mom’s competitive spirit, you know, being a competitor because she competed at a high level. What was that sport? Again? You told me before orienteering, orienteering, okay, so your mom is a high level orienteer interior? Um, do you think a lot of that competition rubbed off on you to build that resiliency? Or did you kind of, like push back on that? Because when you’re around a competitive person, it either you can resent it, or you can embrace it? What do you think you did more of?

Unknown Speaker  16:47  

I don’t even think I’m a competitive person. Actually. No, no, no, right? Maybe you see? Right. Yeah, I it’s not really a big competitive person. And I don’t think my mom was as well, maybe as an athlete, you have to, but when I was growing up already, my mom was not competing on the level of like, on that high level in her late 20s, early 30s. Gotcha. So I don’t see myself necessarily as a competitive person for some reason. Yeah. Okay.

Unknown Speaker  17:22  

So is there any when you first came to the States, I asked us to allow the people that kind of immigrated here? Was there a movie that really stands out that you remember watching, when you got here that stands out to this day that maybe taught you a little bit as you went along about life?

Unknown Speaker  17:41  

Ah, the movie? Okay, I’m gonna say the movie that did not teach me about life, but I love it. It just sends out Kill Bill. Oh, I

Unknown Speaker  17:51  

love it. I love

Unknown Speaker  17:53  

it. I love it.

Unknown Speaker  17:56  

Yeah, exactly. There is something about her. Oh, okay. Yeah. And Matrixx?

Unknown Speaker  18:03  

Okay, yeah, that’s, that’s,

Unknown Speaker  18:04  

that’s a great movie. Take that in. I actually should have warm I take the red pill t shirt today for you. That’s absolutely

Unknown Speaker  18:10  

a red pill. Yes.

Unknown Speaker  18:12  

So let’s go back to the 22 year old Elena, with you know, I mean, I know your age. I’ll never say it. But she squad if you’re watching on YouTube, or any other broadcast and Jen, she’s a beautiful woman. She does not look I know rage. She doesn’t look near it. Let’s go back to the 22 year old Elena. What kind of knowledge nuggets are you dropping on her to help her level up last through maybe shorten that learning curve? Just a little bit?

Unknown Speaker  18:39  

Yeah, just continue to believe that everything is gonna work out and be open minded to meet other people who will level you up.

Unknown Speaker  18:52  

There you go. I love it. So I met you.

Unknown Speaker  18:55  

Yeah,

Unknown Speaker  18:56  

I made you with full disclosure. Elena was a client of mine, a real estate client. And we just were talking walking through a house one time and she’s like, I’m a coach. And I’m like, Oh, really? So that’s how we built our business relationship and our friendship out of it. I love it. So how do you want you listen to my podcast? So how, how you and thank you for doing that. How do you want your dash? Remember? That little line that’s in between your life date and death date? How do you want to be remembered?

Unknown Speaker  19:25  

Yeah, I want to be remembered for who I am, which is authentic and loving giving person who just wants to make difference and other people’s life and bring their better version of themselves. Yeah, that’s awesome. That’s fantastic.

Unknown Speaker  19:42  

Thank you for saying that. So you only know what is your definition of a life well lived then.

Unknown Speaker  19:49  

Be true to yourself. That will attract people who is truly attracted to you in a friendship a personal relationship and professional relationship. But if you’re not true to yourself, To your personality, then you will attract people who are not necessarily benefiting you in that way.

Unknown Speaker  20:09  

Yeah. So it’s what you kind of put your mind to is what you attract. Right? You know, so yeah, your true and authentic, you’ll attract more true and authentic people. I love that. Absolutely. You, Elena, let’s move into our leveling up lightning round. Okay, okay. You got five seconds on each one of these questions you and I have talked about or could talk about each one of these questions for hours, but you have five seconds, no explanations. You’re ready.

Unknown Speaker  20:33  

Let’s do it.

Unknown Speaker  20:35  

Alright, let’s level up. What is the best leveling up advice you’ve ever received?

Unknown Speaker  20:39  

Take imperfect actions. Love it,

Unknown Speaker  20:42  

share one of your personal habits that contributes to your success.

Unknown Speaker  20:46  

Get some song, go outdoors, bike rides, walk a trail, anything outdoors.

Unknown Speaker  20:53  

And you Elena is not just saying that if you go to her wish, they’ll all be in the show notes or Facebook page, or her Instagram. You can see her outdoors taking pictures on the beach with our version of paradise. I love that. So other than your own website, or of course time to shine today.com my shameless plug here. But yeah, what website do you go to they’re kind of really level up and take your life to the next level to really kind of dig into.

Unknown Speaker  21:19  

Okay, it looks like I’ve been spending some time with Click Funnels recently. Sure, yeah, that will be the one and I don’t know, Facebook and Amazon.

Unknown Speaker  21:29  

There you go. There you go. They all level up. I have when I’m asked that question. I just say Google, because it’s a website. So not the book you’re reading now or not the flavor of the month, give me that book. I’m just not feeling it. I’m feeling a little down. You’re like Fergie, here read this book.

Unknown Speaker  21:47  

Well, actually, I just starting to dive in into that self development and reading. So besides going in, through my masters, and pretty much reading the book in the curriculum, I’m more like an person who is not a big reader in the book, but I would listen and make your research and certain topics. So if you have that book, then if I feel down, then I would be appreciate it. I appreciate if you can give one to me. I got a bunch of them.

Unknown Speaker  22:23  

Right now. Yeah. If you could stay one age for the rest of your life physically, and still have the knowledge you have now and continue to learn physically? What age would you stay?

Unknown Speaker  22:39  

25

Unknown Speaker  22:40  

There you go. That’s perfect. Thank you for the honest answer. A lot of people will say, Well, I love my age. Now. It’s bullshit. You know? Like, I would love to be 32 again, that was just like the perfect physical. Right still able to move around. I was more of a man than a young man and not an older guy like I am. But all right, so is there any charity or an organization’s you’d like to give your time or money to?

Unknown Speaker  23:02  

Well, I am actually working for community agency and it feels like I am providing pretty much for them. It’s free service. Coaching and therapy, so I’m giving to the community. Yeah,

Unknown Speaker  23:17  

gotcha. So when you came to the United States, what was your favorite band when you got here? The United States band?

Unknown Speaker  23:25  

Huh? Okay, that’s hot chili pepper. Yeah, I

Unknown Speaker  23:30  

love you. There you go. away give it away now.

Unknown Speaker  23:34  

Oh, yeah.

Unknown Speaker  23:35  

I love it. So Elena, how can we find you?

Unknown Speaker  23:39  

Well, you can check out my Facebook Elena who’s Mina and find me up there you can send me the email Elena Kay coach@gmail.com and you know yeah the end the website like you mentioned you Elena key coaching, calm

Unknown Speaker  23:57  

love it and all of those will be in our show notes squad so make sure that you check out Elena there and if you want a personal introduction I’d be happy to make it for you. So Elena what it leaves us with one last Knowledge Nugget you want us to take with us internalize and take action

Unknown Speaker  24:16  

Be yourself and true to what you value do not adapt other people values because they want you to be true to yourself and nothing that’s Yeah, yeah. Awesome. I

Unknown Speaker  24:35  

love it and squad you’ve just had basically a free masterclass with my really good, beautiful, awesome friend Elena, you know that she’ll tell you that a good coach really develops relationships and connections. She wants her clients to feel safe and to be able to want to help themselves. You know, he, if you’re asking yourself, how can I help myself and you’re really, really want to take imperfect action. And make it happen. Get a hold of me, I’ll make a personal introduction to Elena. And if you know if you feel stuck, and you know, there’s a better version of yourself to bring out that genius. Again, let me put you in touch with you, Elena, you know, the Elena’s mom’s spirit of competition in whatnot help Elena really, you know, with her traveling with her, she got to explore and take in new places at the same time see the side of her mom that was a mom, but also the side of her mom that was a competitor. So she got to see best of both worlds with that, which she’s really parlayed that into the person that she is now you know, she wants you to be open minded and believe be an authentic and loving person. Make sure you be true to yourself. Because when you are you will attract others that are true to yourself. And that way you starting to build a squad like you listeners that are always continuing to level up and then adapt to your values. You make sure your values are strong. Your morals are good, just like my really good friend Elena. You know, she levels up her house, she levels up her wealth. She’s such a go giver. She’s a really good friend of mine in South Florida and blessed to know her. And thank you so so much for coming on Elena. I look forward to doing some collaborations with you here in the near future.

Unknown Speaker  26:14  

Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It was so much fun.

Unknown Speaker  26:17  

I love welcome. Talk soon.

Unknown Speaker  26:19  

All right. Hey, thanks

Unknown Speaker  26:19  

so much for listening to this episode of time to shine today podcast. Proudly brought to you by Southern Nugent real estate real estate excellence, who can be reached at 561-249-7266 and online at www dot Sutter in nugent.com. If you’re a business owner or professional who would like to be interviewed on time to shine today, please visit time to shine today.com slash guest. If you liked this episode, please subscribe on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, I Heart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts. There’s a link in the show notes to our website. Also there you will see our recommended resources. We hope that you will support our show by supporting them. If you like what you have been listening to, it’d be great if you could just give us a five star rating and tell your friends how to subscribe while you’re at it. I’m your host, Scott Ferguson. And until next time, let’s level up. It’s our time to shine.

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