In this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro sits down with Maria Kolesnikoff, founder of Your Way Up Coaching and a leadership coach, career strategist, and systems expert with 20+ years in HR and talent management. Maria shares how she transitioned from corporate life in Russia to building a coaching business in the U.S. after realizing traditional employment paths were no longer aligned with her future.

Maria breaks down how she supports leaders and managers through personalized, non-packaged coaching—focusing on clarity, sustainable behavior change, and systems that help individuals move from chaos to intentional growth. She also reveals how she built her first client base, why simplicity is underrated, and why not everyone actually needs coaching. From strengthening self-awareness to designing ecosystems for long-term development, Maria brings an honest and refreshing perspective on building a coaching business and empowering clients to eventually “fire the coach” because they’ve become self-sufficient.

Whether you're a new or seasoned coach, this episode offers deep insights into authenticity, capacity, and building a business rooted in value and transformation.


Connect with

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-kolesnikoff/
Website: https://www.yourwayup.coach/

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