Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, then surfing and paragliding, gave my friend Elena Sonnino permission to live fully. Her legacy? “I want my story to serve others as a permission slip. I want them to wake up, to live their life fully, and be curious every single day.”
Below you’ll find an outline of the answers Elena provided prior to the interview (not a transcript).
Permission to live fully.
What kind of work did you do before you felt called to new work?
I spent 12 years as a classroom teacher and then 4 as a blogger/freelance writer.
Was your prior work fulfilling? Did you excel at it?
Yes – both were quite fulfilling. I excelled as a teacher in both my work with my students, and the teachers I mentored and worked with as a teacher leader. I always knew I excelled at teaching. My writing has always been good, but I think I spent a lot of time questioning my skills and voice.
What occurred that made you change course?
I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and a combination of a conversation with a massage therapist (and energy healer) and going paragliding for the first time made me realize that it was time to actually let myself do the work I was meant to do.
Did your purpose/calling come to you in a flash or was it a series of events, moments, insights?
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in my early 20’s led me to teaching, and in many ways to writing – and eventually back to myself. It offered me the insight into my purpose. When I was sick, I focused only on the outcome – the idea of surviving. I didn’t allow myself to feel fear or anything, and spent much of those 18 months coping through denial. While this served me in some ways, I also skipped the connection piece with myself. I’d always been a guide, asking questions and holding space for others – but it was the insights over time that reminded me to pay attention. The paragliding experience and later a retreat where I tried to learn to surf brought everything together to help me notice the energy within me, the subtle ways that we can show up for ourselves, and the idea of being fully awake in the moment.
What are/were you called to say or do?
I create and hold space for people to explore their true self and the answers that have always been within, just waiting to be unearthed. It feels like I’m always clarifying the words to describe this, but in a way, I give people permission to show up for themselves with less judgment and more curiosity.
What do you do now?
I’m a life coach and motivational speaker. I work with women who feel like they are going through the motions, project managing the lives of everyone around them – to help them step into the spotlight of their own life.
What actions did you take to shift into this new work? What did you let go of?
I let go of scarcity as a mindset (or am continually learning how to release scarcity and fear). I’ve also recently realized the need to let go of playing to my strengths. Because my strengths are part of my comfort zone, and to truly step into the spotlight – I need to give myself permission to dream bigger and actually allow myself to have wild dreams.
How do you define success? Where are you in relation to your definition?
Being able to do what I love each day. Serving others. Becoming a go-to person for women who want to step into the spotlight of their life. I have wild goals like speaking at Rancho La Puerta. But I also define success by the time I spend fully present with my family. I love being able to support my daughter’s dreams. Travel – and to embody the sunrise energy that I associate with my the energetic abundance of my practice.
What now wants to come through you and your work?
More writing and speaking. The book wants to be explored. A podcast wants to be spoken. More group programs and retreats want to be born. Also, my inner guidance is coming through more and more, and wants me to cultivate that relationship with even more devotion.
What legacy to you want to leave?
I want women to be able to name their wildest dreams and feel like they are showing up for themselves in their life like they’d show up for a child or best friend. I want my story to serve others as a permission slip to wake up, to live their life fully, and be curious every single day.
Know someone who has been through a painful transition and found or created success in a new way? Is it you? Whether you know an interesting story you’d like to nominate or would be willing to share your own, I’d love to hear from you!
Email me at jennifer@rainmakerresume.com (or comment on this post), reach out via my Contact form, or give me a call. 406.530.9249. I can’t wait to hear your story.