Featured Coach: Doncil Lukula Yanga

Each week FAM Features a coach from our community, so we can get to know them and learn from their experiences.

Fast Facts

Name: Doncil Lukula Yanga

From: Ireland Primary Values: Self-care & Self-love

Area of Expertise: Motivational speaker, Self care advocate, Counselling

Q&A

Why did you get into coaching? I learned how to heal my wounds and now I want to teach others.

What is your philosophy/style/approach? I want to make people take a step back and learn the link between the child you and the adult you. When you can go back and understand some of your childhood memories/experiences, the way you are living life right now can make a lot of sense.

Describe your biggest failure and what you learnt from it. My biggest failure was letting someone else's insecurity get to me. I became their target and therefore, they became my trigger and nearly drove me to a depression until my son was my wake up call. I learned to pick myself up and got myself out ASAP and turned my wounds into my blog, HAYRD.

Describe your biggest success and how you achieved it. My biggest success is my biggest achievement and that is having my four kids. I have achieved a lot in life but for me my biggest success was learning how to becoming resilient - when at the age of 26 I was pregnant with my 3rd child who was diagnosed with special needs, we lived in/out of hospitals for 7 months. Christmas 2014 I asked my two eldest kids what they wanted for Christmas & they responded "for you and Isaiah to come home." I didn't know when but I promised them it will happen and it did.

What’s one piece of advice you think everyone should follow? It is ok to take care of you first. When you are well mentally, then you are a better mom, dad, sister, brother, son, daughter, partner and friend to others. Everyone leaves eventually so make sure you develop a relationship with yourself so that you are happy with the you that stays.

How do you handle stress? I take a lot of "me time" and try to shut down the noise that I may feel is causing me stress and try do simple things that can distract me and that I know brings me joy.

How do you prioritise and manage your time? Planning. Monday to Friday 9-5 I am a Software Engineer, 6-9 I am a mother/wife, 9-mid-night I am a blogger. On the weekends I am in full on mommy and wife mode. From 9pm I put my blogger hat back on.

How do you stay healthy? Eating well, sleeping on time, taking 'me time', try to work out.

What does happiness mean to you? Peace of mind.

What does success look like to you? When my family is healthy, we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and money in the bank that is what success looks to me.

Describe your future self. WoW! I don't know if it will all fit here! A fully qualified therapist with her own practice and a HAYRD community where people can come to us and we have other therapist/counsellors to support them. I also want to have motivational speaking opportunities at conventions.

What are some of your core beliefs/guiding principles? I value self-care and self-love and helping others that are dealing with situations that I was able to overcome

Describe the best transformation you witnessed in someone. I have helped three people overcome depression by helping them understand how they got there and did a follow up plan to check up on them until they could find their way in the world again. I helped two couples deal with marital issues by getting them to see their partners perspective and I am a strong believer that talking is therapy! If you say loud enough what you have bottled up in your head this will allow you to comprehend what has been going on in your head.

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