A Crossroads

Originally from the Czech Republic, Nika accepted a life-changing scholarship at 17 to study abroad, embarking on an adventure that led her to various countries and a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University. In 2022, she unexpectedly discovered Human Better EDU’s coaching program at the university.

“I was at a crossroads,” she shared. “I was trying to make thoughtful decisions about my career, relationships, and family, but I felt paralyzed.”

Moving from Sweden—a place she loved—for her postdoctoral fellowship was particularly difficult. “I left for my career, but I missed the life I had there. At the same time, I struggled with being far from my family in the Czech Republic, knowing our time together was limited, highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Coaching Journey
When Nika began the coaching program, she was surprised by how much she struggled to dream. “I’ve always been a Type A person who loves school and taking notes, but this was different. It wasn’t just about work. It was about looking at every aspect of my life.”
The process revealed patterns of thought holding her back:

• She often defaulted to the practical choices, not focusing on the bigger dreams. Most of us do this; we let fear keep us small and prevent us from living into our most fulfilling lives. In coaching, we help clients identify their fear-based thoughts and push past them.
• She also observed, “I thought I should know more by now or be further along in life. Admitting where I was felt so hard.” We cannot move forward unless we recognize the difference between where we are and where we want to be. This is difficult but powerful.

Coaching helped Nika push through. She read her dreams daily to help anchor to them, she analyzed every roadblock in her way, and she began interrupting limiting thoughts. “It was powerful to ask myself: How else could I look at this?”

Small Steps, Big Changes
Her transformation started small. A nature lover, she began hiking again, taking her first multi-day backpacking trip in the High Sierras, and even kayaking solo in the Everglades. These moments of joy and self-prioritization reminded her of all she was capable of and built the self-confidence she needed to make bigger decisions. As coaches, we know that when you start to show up for yourself in small ways, it becomes easier to make the bigger shifts.

One of the most pivotal moments came in her love life. She realized her relationship, while wonderful in many ways, wasn’t what she truly needed. “The coaching gave me the courage to have a hard conversation and let go. It was a beautiful, mature breakup because I trusted myself to make the right decision.”

Coming Full Circle
The final leap came when she prioritized her family. “Coaching gave me the confidence to pursue grants and navigate a complex administrative process to move back home to the Czech Republic after 17 years away. Now, I have a job I love, and I get to share coffee, walks and simple moments with my mom. These moments mean everything.”

Her life continued to evolve—meeting her partner, becoming a parent, and facing the new challenges that came with those roles. Yet, the lessons from coaching remain central. She still tries to create daily and weekly promises to help her reach her current dreams. She still interrupts unhelpful thought patterns. And she wants to set aside time to rewrite her dreams since she has reached so many of her original ones.

Gratitude and Reflection
“Looking back, if I hadn’t taken those small steps, I wouldn’t be here today. Life coaching taught me how much we hold ourselves back from the fullness of life, and that we ourselves define what fullness means for us – it may be just a cup of spontaneous coffee with someone you love. Moving forward, even in little ways, can multiply into something incredible. So many unexpected things can unfold when we follow our hearts.”

Today, she is grateful for the life she has built—her family, her son, and the lessons she continues to practice. “I’ve learned to slow down, listen to myself, and dream.”

Her story is a testament to the power of dreaming boldly, trusting yourself, and taking one