Paulina Stankiewicz, 43

If your friends/family had to describe you in 3-4 words, what would they say?

Empowering, Inspiring, Bold, Elegant, Strong

What would you say is your best emotional quality?

Definitely not patient lol. My best emotional quality is being passionate.

What is your occupation, and how do you like to spend your free time?

CEO and Founder of Paulina Stankiewicz, C-Suite Coaching. I am a World-Class Leadership Coach for CEOs. I help my clients elevate their consciousness and leadership presence so that they can grow their business exponentially and with that, create massive positive impact in the world. In my free time I love to read & learn, go for a walk, meet with friends, and do yoga. All of that in beautiful places.

Any guilty pleasures?

Ice cream!

Any 'life hacks' to share?

Every morning, sit down with pen and paper and write down 3 pages as a 5 year old - put any thoughts that come to your mind on paper. This way you will clear your mind and be ready for an excellent day!

What brings you joy?

Meaningful conversations with like-minded people, laughing and joking with my bestfriends, and traveling.

What are you most proud of?

I am incredibly proud of my journey—of who I have become and who I am still becoming. I am deeply grateful for my persistence in personal growth and my commitment to doing the inner work to better myself and break free from limitations and conditioning. I love my adventurous and courageous spirit. At 20, I traveled to the United States with just a backpack, and a decade ago, I made the bold decision to move to the Netherlands.

The biggest transformation in my life came when I left the corporate world to start my own business. I am extremely proud of how quickly I built it (thanks to a shift in consciousness) and the impactful coach I have become. I find immense joy in serving my clients and living in alignment with my mission and purpose.

What is your favourite poem, quote or saying?

“Life doesn't happen to you, it happens for you.” - Tony Robbins

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self looking back?

I would tell her to love herself more and choose herself, instead of trying to please other people. And also that everything is always going to be okay and she is safe.

When you entered your 40's, what did you find were the most significant or poignant changes?

I started my business in the year when I was turning 40! I also broke up with my partner right after I turned 40. I see it as a point where I looked within and decided to put myself first and focus on me. A beautiful life has unfolded.

Do you have a story about yourself that you would like to share?

When I bought my first apartment in Amsterdam, just a few weeks later, I came home on a Friday night, ready to fall asleep, when I heard noises in my kitchen. I froze. It turned out that mice had decided to have a feast in my cupboard—not just one or two, but what felt like an entire army (though I never actually saw them).

I texted the man I was dating at the time, and he promised to come over in the morning to help. I barely slept that night. When he arrived, he set up traps, but they didn’t make me feel comfortable. I didn’t want to kill the mice—I just wanted to repel them.

Everyone I spoke to offered different ways to deal with the mice, but all of them involved killing them—some in very brutal ways. I considered moving out altogether (though a 30-year mortgage made that tricky), but then I had another idea: I decided to adopt a cat.

Since then, I’ve felt safe, protected, and—most importantly—I can finally sleep well!

What are your thoughts on aging?

I believe aging has been conditioned as something negative, something to fear—primarily because it’s often associated with becoming less beautiful or more prone to illness.

Recently, I came across the perspective that aging is a disease, and if we truly care for our bodies—especially by maintaining our muscles—we could stay healthy far longer than we typically imagine. I also think aging is harder for women because beauty is often seen as their greatest currency.

Society places immense pressure on women to preserve their appearance, which can make the aging process feel even more daunting. For me, I choose to embrace a different mindset, inspired by Meryl Streep’s words about loving every wrinkle as a symbol of a life well-lived, full of laughter, emotions, and rich experiences. It’s a reminder to celebrate the story our bodies tell rather than fear it.

Do you still have a dream or big goal that you would love to accomplish?

Absolutely! I have a dream map filled with big goals I’m determined to accomplish. My life purpose and mission are deeply alive in my business, and growing it to impact millions of people is my ultimate vision.

Learn more about Paulina on her website here.