Career & Life Transitions Through Mental Fitness
We will identify what is getting in your way and turn your challenge into a step-by-step plan to move you forward to where you truly want to be.
Using specific tools and learning new skills along the way will set you up for success all around in every area of your life - since even the smallest change has a ripple effect on the rest of the “system foundation” which is you.
About Me
I have over 9 years of experience as a certified professional life coach (CPC from iPEC, NY), including a certification from Positive Intelligence and an MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
I am a coach, facilitator, teacher and guide and use a hybrid approach to help clients achieve their goals and improve their overall well-being.
My approach is holistic and tailored to each individual's unique needs.
My Philosophy
I believe that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. By identifying and working towards their goals, my clients are able to unlock their full potential and create a life they love.
Through practice, personal experience, extensive education & research as well as client experiences & breakthroughs, I firmly believe that:
"When you change your mind, you change your life."
My Services
I offer a range of services including one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and workshops. These services are designed to help clients overcome obstacles, improve their mindset, and achieve their goals. Mental Fitness and energy leadership is the lens through which I approach everything I do with clients and the atmosphere is always friendly, open, curious and direct.
I take my client's journey seriously and hold the space for levity along the way! Most importantly, I hold space for safety and unending empathy for anything that has happened in the past and whatever my clients are going through currently.
Reach out to me via email at polina@coachingbypolina.com to book a Discovery Session to explore your goals, challenges, and create a customized plan for your success. Let's get to know each other and see if we'd be a great fit to work together.
I am looking forward to meeting you and discovering how I can support on your journey!
CREDENTIALS + CERTIFICATIONS
Positive Intelligence Coach - Positive Intelligence (2022)
Certified Professional Life Coach & Energy Leadership Index™ Master Practitioner - iPEC - Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, NY (2014)
Master of Science Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Baruch College, NY (2004)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mental Fitness and how is it different from mindset work?
Mental fitness is your ability to respond to stress, setbacks, and uncertainty with clarity, calm, and self-leadership — rather than being hijacked by self-doubt, fear, or overwhelm.
While mindset work focuses on what you think, mental fitness helps you strengthen how you relate to your thoughts and feelings — so you can shift patterns at the root level and stay grounded, no matter what’s happening around you.
Why is mental fitness important in life and career transitions?
Because uncertainty can activate old fears and self-sabotaging patterns. Mental fitness gives you the tools to catch those patterns in real-time, shift your energy, and choose responses that are more aligned with who you’re becoming — not who you’ve been.
How do we build mental fitness?
Just like physical fitness, it’s built through consistent, simple practices. We use short daily tools (breath, body awareness, thought work) to rewire how your brain and nervous system respond to challenges — helping you feel more present, resilient, and self-led over time.
Is mental fitness the same as therapy?
No — mental fitness focuses on building forward movement, presence, and aligned action in the here and now. While therapy often explores and heals the past, mental fitness helps you grow the inner muscles you need to thrive in the present and create your future.
What is life coaching?
Life coaching is a process in which a coach helps individuals identify and achieve their personal goals. The coach works with the client to create a plan of action and provides support and guidance throughout the process.
What are the benefits of life coaching?
Life coaching can help individuals improve their self-awareness, develop new skills, create a plan for achieving their goals, and overcome obstacles that may be holding them back from success.
How long does a life coaching session last?
Life coaching sessions can vary in length, but typically last between an hour and 90 minutes. The frequency of sessions can also vary depending on the needs of the client.
How We Can Work Together
Transform Package
Action plan program to make improvements in a specific area of your life in 12 weeks (includes 7-week immersion)
7-Week Mental Fitness Immersion
Mental Fitness Foundational Bootcamp
Group and Individual options available
Group/Team Coaching and Workshops
Packages available for small-medium sized teams or groups
1-1 Coaching
Individual sessions designed specifically around your unique needs
Client Testimonials
“Working with Polina on PQ coaching gave me a practical way to interrupt negative patterns and bring myself back to the present moment. As someone who struggles with being in my head—stressing, overanalyzing, and ruminating—I found PQ offered achievable goals that made a real difference without overwhelming me. The physical embodiment exercises, especially the fingertip rubbing technique, helped me break reactive cycles and create space to choose my responses more thoughtfully. What I appreciated most was Polina's ability to truly listen, draw out important insights, and hold a safe space for honesty while celebrating even small wins. Though I've explored many personal development modalities, PQ with Polina came at a crucial time in my journey, teaching me to be less reactive, reset more quickly after intense moments, and stay grounded in my body rather than trapped in my thoughts.”
— P, Toronto
“I typically came into coaching with hope but subdued expectations. What started as career coaching evolved into life-altering sessions where Polina helped me recognize that fear—particularly fear of speaking up and asking for what I truly wanted—had been holding me back. What's remarkable about Polina's approach is that she doesn't simply tell you what's wrong; she creates the space for you to come to these realizations yourself, making the learnings last a lifetime. The process isn't always easy as you confront uncomfortable truths, but as you embrace Polina's guidance, you begin to accept yourself. Polina ensures you have a judgment-free space to grow and transform.”
— G, NYC
“Getting to work with Polina is by far the best thing that's ever happened to me, and hands down the smartest investment I've made. When I met her in 2021, I was at rock bottom, but through her guidance, I've transformed how I see myself and what I'm capable of achieving. Polina doesn't just give advice from the sidelines; she's right there with me, helping me uncover my true self, providing clear actionable steps, and always being available when emotions are at their peak. With her fierceless spirit and practical strategies, I've landed my dream job, strengthened my relationship, grown past self-doubt, and discovered hidden parts of myself I never paid attention to—like my yearning for creativity that had been quieted for the longest time.”
— M, FL
“Working with Polina on PQ coaching has transformed how I see myself and navigate life's challenges. After my divorce, losing my mom and dog, and struggling with self-worth, Polina's nurturing guidance helped me rewire my brain to stop negative self-talk and develop a more positive outlook. Through her patient, non-judgmental approach, I've become more self-supporting and independent, creating my own lifestyle with greater consistency and accountability. What stands out most is how she helped me recognize all the attributes I already had but wasn't acknowledging—showing me that even negative experiences can yield positive results when you change your perception around them. Now I face challenges with more patience for myself, armed with tools I can rely on, and focusing on what I have to offer rather than what I lack.”
— R, NYC
“Through Polina's nurturing guidance and practical strategies, I transformed from being trapped in self-doubt to confidently navigating my path forward with renewed clarity and purpose. Her unique blend of emotional support and tactical accountability helped me shift negative thought patterns into positive action, allowing me to reconnect with my authentic self and create meaningful change. With Polina's coaching, I discovered not just a better career direction, but a transformative sense of self-awareness and mental fitness that empowered me to become my own best advocate in all aspects of life.”
— I, NYC
“When Polina introduced me to PQ coaching, I was immediately drawn to the practical approach of integrating physical embodiment exercises that could interrupt my mental patterns and bring me back to the present moment. Her patience, exceptional listening skills, and ability to explain complex concepts made even challenging work feel achievable. What sets Polina apart is how she customizes her coaching to your specific needs rather than forcing you through a rigid program—she meets you where you are while still providing the structure and accountability needed for real growth. Through our work together, I've gained valuable tools for managing my tendency to overthink and stay in my head, and I especially appreciate how the techniques I learned help me reset during heated conversations and to be a more effective leader, allowing me to hold my space and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting. With Polina's guidance, I've discovered that personal development doesn't have to be all-or-nothing—small, consistent practices can create meaningful, lasting and life changing.”
— R, SD, USA
“Working with Polina through the PQ journey has given me insights into patterns I hadn't recognized despite years of therapy and personal development work. In just seven weeks, investing only 15 minutes a day, I discovered how my pleaser and avoider tendencies—rooted in inherited patterns of addiction and co-dependency—were preventing me from addressing emotions, setting boundaries, and resolving conflicts. This awareness has been transformative, helping me communicate my thoughts and feelings earlier, recognize when I'm falling into people-pleasing behaviors that leave no space for myself, and begin the challenging but essential process of identifying my own needs. While I'm still learning to apply these tools consistently when emotions run high, Polina's guidance has equipped me with practical strategies to shift from saboteur to sage mode, creating more impact in my work and relationships while building resilience for the entrepreneurial challenges I face.”
— D, Netherlands
“Working with Polina on the PQ journey opened my eyes to the power of connecting with nature as a form of regulation that beautifully complements internal somatic practices. During a particularly challenging time in my marriage, I spent hours by the ocean doing PQ reps, listening to the waves, and found I could contain intense emotions without escalating conflicts—something that had been difficult before. The saboteurs framework gave me invaluable insights, especially when I discovered my high avoider tendency contrasted sharply with my husband's approach of taking things head-on. This understanding changed my relationship with my avoidance patterns and helped me see beyond people's judgmental behaviors to the internal struggles driving them. Now, rather than reacting impulsively to criticism, I can respond with more compassion, regulate my emotions better, and consciously choose how to engage in challenging interactions. For anyone who lives primarily in their brain, struggles with overthinking, or has trouble accessing their intuition, PQ offers a practical path to clearer thinking, reduced reactivity, and deeper self-understanding.”
— U, Germany
“This program has been incredibly insightful, helping me understand the core motivations behind my emotional reactions. I've become less susceptible to being affected by others' emotions, moving from feeling overwhelmed to giving myself permission to set boundaries. The panic I used to experience when someone was upset with me has significantly decreased, and I've gained more control over my emotional responses. Even though I haven't completed all the exercises, the concepts have been educational and transformative. I'm looking forward to practicing more empathy and being more present in the moment as I continue this journey.”
— N, UK
“Working with this program transformed how I handle challenges. By infusing playfulness and joy into difficult situations, I've experienced a profound shift in my daily life. When I felt overwhelmed with perfectionism or anxiety, I applied the technique of approaching tasks as sacred rituals and directing playful energy toward my actions—immediately seeing better results. My mood has been significantly lighter, and states of tension that were once constant now only arise occasionally. This simple yet powerful approach has taught me to relax around uncertainty while still taking meaningful action, helping me uncover my true potential by transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth.”
— I, Germany
“Working with Polina through the PQ program was profoundly transformative, revealing patterns I couldn't see despite sixty years of life experience. Confronting my judge—both toward myself and others—was incredibly difficult but ultimately life-changing. Despite decades in personal development and energy work, this program helped me develop an embodied awareness unlike anything I'd experienced before. As a former nurse, I'd built my identity around empathy for others, often at the expense of my own well-being. Through our work together, I've begun learning how to direct that same compassion inward, recognizing that I am visible, deserving, and worthy of my own empathy. Now I'm exploring a healthier balance—how to maintain my natural empathy for others without sacrificing my life force. This new understanding has given me permission to put myself first while still honoring my deep capacity to care for those around me.”
— E, Floria/NYC
“This program has been transformative for both my professional and personal life. I've developed practical tools to manage my thoughts and emotions without getting dragged down by negativity. The simple yet powerful practices have helped me shift from survival mode to actually enjoying the present moment. I'm now able to respond to stress with clarity rather than panic, and I've found a genuine desire to be kinder and more empathetic with others. My interactions at work have improved dramatically—I recently turned what could have been a difficult conversation into a productive and positive exchange. I feel like 'the magic is back,' and I'm reconnecting with parts of myself that had been overshadowed by stress and worry.”
— K, Netherlands
“Working with this program has given me valuable insights into how my saboteur voices were controlling my life. Though confronting these voices has been challenging, I've already seen improvements in my resilience and ability to manage anxiety during periods of change. I'm now able to enjoy moments of presence and engagement rather than being consumed by nervousness, and I don't beat myself up as hard or for as long when facing challenges. Even my sleep patterns have improved—I'm waking up with fewer worried thoughts. The techniques for relaxation have been particularly helpful, and I'm excited to apply these principles to parenting, knowing that modeling these practices is more powerful than lecturing.”
— K, Canada
“This program helped me find balance between my analytical mind and being present in my body. As someone who's always been restless and constantly processing everything around me, I've learned valuable techniques to self-regulate and focus my energy. The practical tools have allowed me to recognize when my saboteurs take over and shift to a calmer state. I'm now better at responding rather than reacting, especially in challenging situations with others. What I appreciate most is that I can still maintain my rational thinking while learning to 'take it a notch down and chill.' I'm moving toward the quieter, simpler life I've been seeking.”
— R, Netherlands