Karen Elizaga

There are certain people in this world that we want in our lives.  Karen Elizaga is one of these people. I saw her first at our children’s preschool orientation.  Karen had this wonderful energy and a rare combination of warmth, openness and beauty.  What also drew me to her was how naturally confident she seemed. To me, it was authentic because it came from within.

Karen is modest and initially didn’t divulge the path she forged for herself.  At first, I learned she was a life/executive coach and speaker, and she facilitated workshops for women. (See her coaching website at www.forwardoptions.com.) At the time, I was transitioning from a full-time career in the fashion world to stay-at-home mom while on the cusp of starting a business in nutrition and healing.  I had all the credentials, took all the classes, and read all the books. But somehow I couldn’t figure out how to manifest my knowledge and love for women’s wellness into a career.  I was feeling stuck, so I booked a session with Karen to see what this coaching stuff was all about.

My life changed with this meeting.  Yes, it really did!

You should know that before coaching, Karen was a corporate attorney and served on the executive team of a couple of companies in London, England.  Karen attended Punahou School (President Obama’s alma mater), Barnard College at Columbia University, and then went on to law school at American University (once she discovered coaching, she attended New York University’s executive coaching program).  During her school and business pursuits, Karen lived and traveled all over the world.  She also has two children (Sloane and Finn) and a gratifying marriage with her husband, Jay.  While Karen’s resume is impressive, it was her complete change of career that really intrigued me.  Karen left it all to pursue her passion (as many of us wish to do), which is people and human development.  She has an overwhelming desire to help others achieve who they really are – to unleash their full potential.

What happens at these coaching sessions, you ask?

Women are smart and skeptical.  The last thing we want is to just have someone say, “Oh you are so amazing you will be great at anything.”  That’s not what coaching is. For many of us, no matter how much knowledge, experience and education we possess, we may lack confidence and fear change.  Negativity seems to sabotage our progress.   “I wish I could do that, but there are so many women doing that already.”  Have you heard that voice? Yes, I thought so, because that was my voice too.

As a coach, Karen is caring and non-judgmental, an expert in asking the right questions, helping to formulate action steps and supporting you every step of the way.  Just being around her reminded me to stop the inner negativity, to be kinder and gentler to myself, to honor my talents. I have always been very positive and, like many of us, could always see the best in others.  However, when it came to myself and my own business interests, the negative voice would rear its ugly head.

Karen’s coaching was supportive and kept me on track, yet was never pushy or authoritative in any way. I made major progress through the action items we designed and the strategies we discussed. Karen’s business expertise, combined with her loving and gentle manner make her exceptional in this field.  She wants you to succeed and be the best version of who you are meant to be. That’s what happens at these coaching sessions!

As I got to know Karen more, I found out she also shares a passion for wellness and nutrition.  Karen struggled for over 15 years with food and disliked what she saw in the mirror. To know her now, this is almost impossible to believe, yet it makes perfect sense.  Her own struggles are the source of her compassion.  Her thoughts were very similar to what you may have felt or feel at times – we project one version of ourselves to the outside world while feeling like an imposter on the inside, and relying on others for positive feedback and connection.

Karen’s story is inspiring because it would have been so easy to stay in that corporate career with the nice title and paycheck.  But Karen is a seeker, and she knew she wasn’t happy. When Karen began to honor her soul’s purpose and continue on her quest to help others, her authentic confidence surfaced. We all want to feel that way (and we can!), and Karen wants to share this with the world.

I am honored to share Venus in Balance with you alongside Karen.  Reaching so many women and helping them achieve balance in their lives, confidence, courage to serve their soul’s purpose, and strength to embark on a career and home life they are passionate about.  This is Karen’s gift to the world.  I hope you open it and claim it as your own.