Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Kim.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Raised by immigrant parents, I grew up sheltered with a parent who suffered from severe depression. I frequently questioned my safety and whether or not I could trust my parent. I witnessed this parent repeatedly packing up to leave with threats each time emotions peaked. Criticism, shame, and disapproving comparisons seemed to be never-ending. The first time I attempted to silently take my own life was when I was 6.
I grew up with a fear of death, abandonment, and worthlessness running through my subconscious, constantly auto piloting my life in a very pessimistic way. In 2016, a single phone call from my dad changed my world. Hearing my dad’s voice breaking up as he told me about his older brother having just passed away. The next words spoken by my dad were what hit me deep in the gut. “For the first time after 20 years of disowning his entire family we talked the other day. And he wanted me to visit. He was finally open to reconnect, and now he’s dead.” In that moment my experience of life radically changed, seeing how shame and guilt became a big part of what many people experienced when their loved ones passed away.
I kept hearing “I should have, could have, would have” I got to see first-hand how these regrets ate at everyone and I was determined to change how my son narrates his life, and that starts with me changing how I narrate my own life.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I will admit that I have encountered many challenges and the biggest one being me, getting in my own way, and not believing in myself during various moments of the journey. Moving my business from Hawaii to Texas in 2019 was challenging because we were also experiencing a lot of uncertainty transitioning out of the military back to civilian life.
Several weeks before the pandemic I had a miscarriage that triggered a lot of my deeply traumatic childhood experiences and victim mindset. On top of my miscarriage, my husband was becoming more withdrawn from me and our child. It devastated my hopes of having a happy family.
It was a challenge getting myself back on track while single-handedly taking care of my child’s educational needs online during the pandemic. I continued to strive in maintaining good habits to set an example for my son, that no matter how challenging times get, it’s possible to find a way forward with good habits and emotional responsibility. Determined to overcome any obstacles, I pursued and applied the tools of many respected coaches. I learned to revitalize my own techniques that were taught to others and stayed committed to consistently applying them in my own life.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Today we see such high rates of depression. This is concerning and it reminded me of how I felt as a child. I was often confused from a lack of communication, and from my parents yelling at me when they were stressed. I’d feel sad and unloved from the way my parents communicated, because it seemed like I was a bad child. When I get to help parents and children connect better and improve their relationship, I know that I am doing what I was meant do here on Earth.
I’ve created a fun and educational program called “Empowering from Within” designed for kids and their parents that help them connect on a deeper level. This program helps both kids and their parents vocally express themselves and be heard, by developing defined boundaries that help empower and remind them that they matter.
I’m good at simplifying complex concepts and describing them with visual examples. I help expand a person’s awareness of their situations and surroundings, allowing them to become more in tune with their thoughts and emotions. This helps set the foundation for harmonious communication and compassion for one another. I also take a well-rounded approach, looking from multiple perspectives and angles that are interactive and engages both the child and parent. The process educates the parent and helps them develop the tools to empower their child and feel more confident in how they communicate with their child.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Learn how to be aware of what you are saying to others, as well as keeping track of your thoughts, words, and body language. Listen with an open mind and open heart. And remember that kids learn from the things they see us doing and saying. We are modeling how to live life well for our future generation.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success for me is living my core values and consistently flourishing in all areas of my life, being honest with myself, and being a role model for my son. So far, I know that I have succeeded in being safe for my 6-yo son to open up about being sad that a friend was mean even when he tried helping and being nice to him at school. I got the opportunity to help my son make sense of something that was confusing and hurtful to him.
What’s next for you?
I’m co-hosting integrative transformational retreats. They are educational and rejuvenating experiences where people take what they learn and reintegrate it into daily life. I’ll be publishing a book that reminds people to reevaluate their actions because that habit or tick comes from somewhere. I’m also putting out a 90-day vision-casting challenge that gets people to reevaluate the relationships they have with each area of their life, and they get to implement new self-care practices all throughout the journey.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more.
Instagram @angelakim.me
Email- Angela.kim@illumines-core.com