ILC International

25/07/2025

: “Are you blooming at work - or beginning to wilt? “ 🌸 that’s a CFO and Change Management Expert Veronika Stoyanova’s question.

“A few years ago, a top performer asked for a one‑on‑one. I thought it was just another catch‑up - what I got was their notice.

Although they delivered solid results and fit in nicely with the team, they had quietly been battling health challenges since day one on the job, and their physical unease was taking a toll.

Their body was sending them a clear message: this role wasn’t right for them, and their mental clarity was paying the price.

Fast‑forward a couple of years, I found myself in the same patch of soil. I have never been one to call in sick - work was energizing, and stress was manageable. Then I realized I was moving through the day on autopilot rather than with purpose, as my body began issuing subtle warning signals. My energy dipped, my focus wavered, and it hit me: it was time to realign.

Here is what I have learned about nurturing my growth through physical clarity in practice:

• Listen to your body’s whispers – persistent aches, midday fatigue, or restlessness are more than nuisances – they are early warning signs that your mind needs space to recalibrate.

• Prune before you wither - when you notice your spark dimming, pause and reassess. Small course corrections now prevent a full burnout later.

• Establish replenishing rituals - regular hydration, brief movement breaks, and evening routines that prime you for deep rest keep your focus sharp and your energy flourishing.

Work shouldn’t drain your roots - it should help you blossom. 🌿

What is one small practice you use to stay physically - and mentally - vibrant on the job? Share your tip below! 👇

19/07/2025

We forget that it’s up to us & we forget our power. Why? Because life requires a level of grit and clarity of dreams that only exist when effort, passion and pain collide so strongly that they make you decide to raise your standards. To not be satisfied with whatever the status quo is.

Raise the standards of living, of loving, of working, of looking after your body, of helping and contributing, of developing your emotional control, your communication skills, of the political arena you live in…

Your standards are the first, fundamental step to change and improvement. They are up to you.

This is what Tony Robbins taught us back in the 90s, this was what thousands of hours in coaching sessions have shown us, this is what we see across the globe... from individuals to communities and whole countries - Standards matter!

18/07/2025

🚨Warren Buffett lives on Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. Elon Musk skips workouts, takes weight-loss meds, and sleeps 6 hours on a good night. Jeff Bezos rows and lifts weights—but still needs “puttering” mornings to decompress. Meanwhile, professional athletes rage on court. High-level CEOs cancel the gym—for the 15th week in a row.

So what gives?

If diet and exercise are the “holy grail” of success, clarity, and happiness—
…why are so many high-performers still angry, exhausted, or numb?

Over the years, we’ve worked with:

🎾 World-ranked athletes—disciplined, focused, and physically fit—yet struggling with deep anger and shame from losses.
🪂 A world-record-holding extreme athlete—fearless in the sky, yet grounded by financial performance and emotional fatigue.
📊 Executives and founders who master markets, strategy, and even people management—yet quietly admit they can’t remember the last time they prioritised their own wellbeing.
💬 And yes—many of us at ILC have faced the same quiet dissonance.

We’ve worked with Pro sportsmen and women, investors, artists, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. All of them chasing excellence. Some of them in peak physical shape. Yet still they ask:

“Why am I not okay?”

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:
💡 The “body–mind connection” is real—but wildly misunderstood.

•You can follow the perfect health plan and still collapse into burnout.
•You can run marathons and still be running from yourself.
•You can lift heavy—but not the weight of unprocessed stress.
•You can be emotionally starved while physically “well-fed.”

Modern science confirms it: yes, exercise boosts brain health. Yes, nutrition impacts mood. But these are supporting tools, not solutions in themselves.

True performance and wellbeing begin with:

✔️ Awareness of how you feel, not just what you do
✔️The courage to ask what your habits might be distracting you from
✔️ The skill to bring body, mind, and identity into real alignment

As people and experts, we don’t offer performance hacks. We help build congruence and self-trust—so your routines, goals, and actions come from clarity.

Not guilt.

Not ego.

Not fear of falling behind.

Just truth.

🧭 If this resonates, follow for reflections from the real, raw, and human side of leadership.

Yours,
Our team ☕️💙🏃‍♀️

11/07/2025

Meet Elena Khodakovskaya — a lifelong explorer of nutrition, psychology & wellbeing. From raw vegan & mom of two to daily-training entrepreneur, her wisdom is grounded, lived, and powerful. 💪 In today’s Friday post, we are delighted to share her honest thoughts.

💬 “Mental clarity doesn’t start in your mind — it starts in your body.
👉 First your stomach clenches, then the anxious thought shows up.
👉 First your throat tightens, then you realize you’re scared to speak.
👉 First your body feels heavy, then you sense, ‘I’m in the wrong place.’

I used to think clarity meant organizing my thoughts. Now I know: it’s about listening to the signals my body gives me before my mind can explain them.

🌁 When I overwork or stay too long at my desk, everything starts to feel foggy. Routine drains me. I don’t need to ‘do more,’ I need to slow down.

🌬️🦶A walk. Fresh air. Silence or gentle music.
📓 Mornings with pen & paper.
⏸️ A pause — not to escape, but to hear what’s going on inside.

I used to think rushing = productivity.
Truth? I was just running away from myself.

Now, I begin grounded. I check in throughout the day:
🌱How am I right now?
🌱What does my body feel?
🌱What do I need to return to clarity?

✨ If the body’s overwhelmed, clarity just isn’t possible.

So… do you pause or push through?
How do you balance both?

Share below. Your reflection may lift someone up 💬⬇️

07/07/2025

In line with our monthly topic, we invite you to consider incorporating your physical sensations in your decision-making strategy. That's right!

🔬 Research clearly shows that before your brain formulates a full, clear thought, your body is already reacting and thus, giving valuable signals to whatever stimulus comes your way. Business meetings, an email, a deck you have to review, a presentation to create... your body feels them!

🧠 We tend to spend a lot of time in our heads, and that's alright, but collectively, we are also raising the bar on what it takes to make successful moves in life and business. The body-mind alignment and well-being are fundamental to performance in all areas of life. It's time to not only integrate it actively in leadership but to elevate your understanding and practice of it.

🥼 Did you know that our experts, Katerina Georgieva and Elena Khodakovskaya, focus precisely on supporting people in harnessing the power of our body and the systemic ways in which mind and body work together?

With PCC level coaching and diverse capabilities as well as certifications (e.g., in nutrition, Positive Intelligence (PQ Programme), psychology degrees) - they can truly add value in and beyond your boardroom experience.

You will see their updated profiles on our new website soon.
In the meantime - find out more here:
https://www.ilc.one/individual-solutions

How did this post resonate in your body today?

04/07/2025

🧠 Physical Wellbeing for Mental Clarity - that's ILC's July theme.
We’re kicking off the month with a real and personal Friday reflection from our founder Val Dolmova as part of our ongoing series. Here we talk about the truths behind strong leadership, even when they’re uncomfortable.

💬 “The harshest truth I’ve ever had to accept—and the one that finally knocked me in a better direction—was this:
‘It’s your fault and of your own making.’”

Now, we don’t say such phrases in therapy or coaching sessions, and not even to friends and loved ones casually. It’s beyond confronting. And... rarely helpful unless someone is completely detached from their own agency. But in this case, it hit hard because it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Here’s the twist:
I was already doing all the right things.
✅ Meditating
✅ Journaling
✅ Creating daily to-do lists
✅ Using conflict resolution tools
✅ Practicing self-awareness and patience
✅ Having my own company move forward slowly but surely...
I had the books, the rituals, the language.
But something was off...
I was in a long-term relationship that was quietly draining me.
Working constantly, but somehow half-heartedly.
Slim, but starving my body and mistaking it for “healthy.”
And that’s when it hit me:
I was doing all the things that look good on paper—but still spiraling. Because intentions without aligned, honest action are just… good intentions.

And we all know how that saying goes:
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
It’s not enough to look self-aware.
Not enough to say the right things.
Not enough to go through the motions while ignoring what’s screaming inside you.
That moment forced me to take radical responsibility—not in shame, but in truth.

I had to face the fact that no one was coming to fix it. Not circumstances, not the other party, not "time will heal it" - it was on me, fully!

If I wanted clarity, energy, and peace—it had to start with how I cared for my body, my mind, my time, my heart.

And this is why our July theme truly matters:
💡 Physical well-being is not separate from leadership. It is leadership.
Because when your body is depleted, your clarity is clouded.
And when your clarity is gone, so is your ability to lead with power, presence, and purpose.

As Dr. Dean Ornish says:
“While the science is complex, the application is simple: eat well, stress less, move more, and love more.”"

So here’s our invitation to you:
👉 What “good intentions” are no longer serving you?
👉 What truth have you been resisting that could actually set you free?

Drop a comment or send us a message.
Let’s get real this month. Together.

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30/06/2025

We’re throwing a self-centered controversy your way to kick off your week.🔥 MONDAYS, WE SUGGEST, ARE WHERE OUR SHADOWS SHINE!
It's the day we start fresh:
- The diet.
- The habit tracking.
- The new leadership behaviors.
- The “this time I’ll say NO.”
And maybe, just maybe, it’s the day we’re most self-focused.

🚨 Think about this:
We all nod along to what “Good Leadership” should look like:
- Empathy. Transparency.
Empowering others.
Trust. Service.
Purpose bigger than self!

Now… let’s talk about what gets rewarded in many real-life boardrooms, war rooms, and high-stakes promotions:
- Charisma without empathy. Strategy without disclosure.
Results over relationships. Image over authenticity.

Sound familiar?
Enter the 'Dark Triad' — the unholy trinity of leadership psychology:

🧩 Machiavellianism – Long-game manipulation & power moves.
🪞 Narcissism – Grandiosity & image-first leadership.
🧊 Psychopathy – Fearlessness & emotional detachment.

- They’re not "nice." But they often win.
- Hostile takeovers? Dark Triad wins.
- Political ascension? Dark Triad wins.
- Crisis response? Dark Triad might just win again.
And science backs this up.

So here's our Monday provocation:
💭 What if the real leadership game rewards the opposite of what we preach?
💬 How do you lead when the system celebrates those who don’t care — and still deliver?

🧨 We want to hear from you.
🗣️ COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever witnessed “dark leadership” thrive?
Did it work?
👇 Let’s deconstruct the myth of "good" leadership, one truth bomb at a time.

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27/06/2025

🤝Other people's experiences, lessons learnt, and know-how are to where we want to go. Here is our CFO's Friday reflection on belonging, resilience, and much more 👇 What is your take on her story? series brings value, honesty, and perspectives.
Thank you, Veronika Sotyanova-Trendafilova () for sharing!
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"For most of my career, I have been immersed in organizations shaped by Western leadership styles. As people in Bulgaria often say, I am “a child of democracy” - born after 1989, raised on Western ideals.

But 3 years ago, I started to wonder: Do I really “fit in” here at home - in Bulgaria, with my own culture and organization? Some might call it an identity crisis. I called it curiosity.

To explore this, I pressed pause on work and ventured as far East as I could - to spend three weeks in Japan. I wanted to experience a different way of living, to see where I belonged.

What I discovered:
• Japan is breathtaking - truly a must-visit. But culturally, I couldn’t fully connect.
• Born at the crossroads of Eastern and Western influences, I am neither fully Western nor fully Eastern.
• Throughout my life, perspectives on Bulgaria have bounced between “part of the West” and “rooted in the East”.
• My country’s history is a tapestry woven from both Eastern and Western threads.

🤍 Coming home, I realized that my true “fit” isn’t about picking East OR West – it is finding balance. It is the ability to choose which influences guide us, to adapt and thrive in different settings.

☝ Why it matters:
Being adaptable and resilient - embracing multiple perspectives - is a strength. It is what helps us navigate uncertainty, connect across cultures, and foster inclusive teams."

When was the last time you faced a similar fundamental question on where you fit and how? How did you approach the existential nature of it?
Share in the comments. We'd love to hear your story!

24/06/2025

💬 In an age of bite-sized content and quick takes, it’s rare to find conversations that go deep and deliver meaningful insights.

That’s why we’re proud to share this thoughtful interview between our founder, Val Dolmova and Vlad Tudorie of Serenichron. It’s a refreshing dive into a topic that’s often dismissed as cliché — but in reality, deserves our full attention.

👏 Thank you, Vlad for the unique perspective and for creating the space for real reflection.

Definitely worth a read.

https://serenichron.com/articles/helping-high-performers-stay-human-while-thriving/

Discover how ILC helps high performers thrive without burnout. Leadership, coaching, and deep resilience for the people driving real impact

23/06/2025

🌱In leadership, the desire to elevate others is baked into how we operate. We see potential, inefficiencies, misalignment — and our instinct is to refine, coach, change…

Because we care.
Because we want excellence.
Because we’ve been trained to believe growth looks like intervention.

But here’s the paradox:
The most powerful transformations rarely start with correction. They start with acceptance.

That doesn’t mean we abandon high standards.

It means we create the psychological space for people to grow into their potential — not shrink into our preferences.

This week, ask yourself:

⚡ Am I trying to lead this person, or mold them?
⚡ Am I listening for who they are, or who I want them to be?

High performance isn’t just about pushing people forward.

It’s about knowing when to meet them exactly where they are.

❓What do you find most challenging when balancing acceptance with change? Share in the comments, please!

20/06/2025

🌍 Friday Reflection 🌍
As leaders, coaches, and changemakers, we often tell others to "take time to reset", but how often do we truly practice it ourselves? This week, one of our ILC team members shares a candid moment we can all relate to: the return from vacation and the challenge of reigniting purpose. Here's how they found energy and inspiration not by pushing harder, but by reconnecting with what matters most.

👇 Read Katerina Georgieva's story below and reflect with us:

"Vacation’s Over... Nooo, I Want More!
You know that feeling—you're back at your desk, but your energy hasn't quite followed. That was me earlier this week. Instead of pushing through, I chose something else: to reconnect with what fuels and inspires me.

On my last day off, I started watching recordings from SHAPE THE FUTURE OF COACHING, this year’s Coaching.com Summit. One session turned into several, and suddenly, I felt it—clarity, motivation, and purpose bubbling back up.

I didn’t just learn - I reignited my passion for this work. These conversations reminded me:

💡 Motivation isn't just about discipline. It's about reconnecting with purpose and curiosity.
Sessions like 'From Leadership to Teamship', 'Coaching Mastery' demos grounded me in real tools and fresh insight. Topics like 'AI for Coaches', 'Coaching, Culture & Talent', and 'Code Love' reminded me that the future of coaching is both deeply human and boldly evolving.

💡 If you're feeling that post-vacation drag, consider this:
✔️ Reconnect with your WHY
✔️ Feed your mind with something that inspires
✔️ Take one intentional step toward your passion
When ‘pushing through’ doesn’t work, sometimes you just need to plug back in.

Now, reignited with passion and energy, I’m looking forward to the next exciting work project, more adventures, and family trips —the summer has just started!

What helps you reignite your energy after a break?"

🔄 Your turn:
What do you do to reconnect with your purpose after a break? We’d love to hear your reflections in the comments.
Follow Immersive Leadership Catalyst International and stay tuned for more real stories, leadership insights, and human-centered wisdom every Friday through our hashtag series.