Listening to Your Gut
Bela Friedman, daughter of Holocaust survivors, shares her journey from PR to life coaching, revealing the power of listening to your intuition and embracing gratitude
When I first met Bela Friedman over a decade ago, I was struck by her quiet strength and infectious warmth. There's something remarkable about someone who can transform generational trauma into a force for healing others. As we sat down for our conversation on She Lights The Way, I knew we were about to explore a story that needed to be shared – one of resilience, reinvention, and the courage to listen to your inner voice.
Born into History’s Shadow
Born in a displaced persons camp in Germany to Holocaust survivor parents, Bela's story has been shaped by the weight of history and the complexity of cultural expectations. Her journey began against the backdrop of her parents' old-world mindset, which both challenged and strengthened her. She found herself navigating between two worlds – her parents' traditional values and her own desire for independence. This tension would ultimately forge her into the independent spirit she is today.
“My parents were really of the old school: Do what we want you to do, and if you don't do that, we're not going to support you. So I became very independent. I was a bit rebellious.”
Finding Light in Darkness
Though Bela has faced challenges along the way, including personal loss and anti-Semitism, she has turned these experiences into sources of strength and wisdom. Her Jewish identity and commitment to “Tikkun Olam”—healing the world—have become pillars of her life and work. Bela’s perspective is a powerful reminder that, even in darkness, there is an opportunity to create light and positive change.
“There’s a saying, Tikkun Olam, which means ‘to give back,’ and that’s what I feel I’ve been doing most of my life.”
Discovering Her Voice in the Counterculture
The late 1960s found Bela in Berkeley, where the social revolution was in full swing. Amid the backdrop of the Black Panthers' activism and the emergence of counterculture icons like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, she discovered a world of possibility. This period marked her first true taste of independence and opened her eyes to different ways of thinking and being, which would later inform her approach to helping others find their authentic path.
“Being in Berkeley in 1969 was awesome... It was a very exciting time to be there.”
Breaking Free
A pivotal moment came when Bela's mother, shortly after her father's passing, declared, "It took me 40 years and I'm finally free." This statement became a catalyst for Bela's own transformation. Through meditation, therapy, and deep inner work, she found the strength to leave an unfulfilling marriage and forge her own path in the business world. Her journey from newspaper reporter to successful PR professional demonstrated her resilience and determination.
“That was the pivotal moment for me to make a decision that I am not going to say that. I'm going to do something about it.”
Listening to Her Inner Voice
Real change came when Bela learned to listen to her intuition, a skill that has become central to her life and work. Her journey shifted once she stopped questioning her inner voice and started trusting it. For Bela, intuition isn’t just a feeling—it’s a guide and a source of strength that anyone can access with patience and practice. This choice to trust herself ultimately led her away from the corporate world and into a career where she could focus on healing and empowerment. Her insights challenge us all to pay closer attention to that quiet, powerful voice inside.
“I started listening to myself instead of questioning myself...that’s when things started happening for me.”
The Power of Reinvention
After three decades in public relations, Bela felt the pull toward a more meaningful path. Despite her success in securing coverage in major media outlets like The New York Times and appearances on Oprah, something was missing. Her transition to life coaching and hypnotherapy was an alignment with her true purpose. This bold pivot showcases the power of listening to one's inner wisdom, even when it means leaving behind a successful career.
“I really wanted to be doing more…to work with people one-on-one and make a difference.”
Empowering Others
Today, Bela's work focuses on empowering others through life coaching, hypnotherapy, and energy work. She uses her wealth of experience to guide others through stress management, confidence-building, and personal development. Her Be Inspired Women's Circle and support groups create spaces for connection and growth. Her approach combines practical tools with deep emotional wisdom, helping others navigate their challenges and find their authentic path. Bela’s story reminds us that success isn’t just about professional achievement; it’s about doing work that resonates with our values and empowers others.
“Now, what success is, is really seeing people grow. That I can help them grow, being their best selves, living their best lives.”
The Accidental Gift
Six months into her coaching career, Bela experienced a traumatic injury that became a profound turning point. She suffered a severe fall that broke her pelvis, leaving her unable to walk for a month. This challenging period, documented in her book, Lessons from a Fall, transformed her perspective on disability, empathy, and human resilience. While physically restricted to crutches and sometimes a wheelchair, Bela used this time to develop workshops for women – turning her limitation into an opportunity for growth. The experience deepened her empathy for others facing physical challenges and reinforced her belief in the power of turning adversity into purpose.
“My fall was a big lesson. I have a whole different attitude when I see somebody in a wheelchair. I always have eye contact with them. I might say something to them.”
Practicing Gratitude
Gratitude plays a transformative role in Bela’s life, grounding her and helping her focus on the positive, even during difficult times. She explained how keeping a gratitude practice has reshaped her mindset, turning her challenges into opportunities for growth. Bela’s journey is a testament to how gratitude can empower us to see our lives through a more compassionate lens. She encourages her clients to develop similar practices, teaching them that even in adversity, there’s always something to appreciate. For Bela, gratitude is a powerful reminder of life’s beauty and a source of unwavering strength.
Bela's message about the transformative power of daily practices – meditation, gratitude journaling, and intentional living – offers a practical path forward for others. These simple yet powerful tools have become the foundation of her own resilience and success. Her emphasis on self-care and internal alignment provides a roadmap for others seeking positive change in their lives.
“Whatever you’re going through, there’s always something to be grateful for. Gratitude has really changed my life.”
My conversation with Bela reminded me of the power we all have to embrace our true selves and create change, both in our lives and in the world around us. As her journey shows, our greatest challenges can become our greatest gifts to the world. It's never too late to reinvent yourself, to listen to your inner wisdom, and to transform your experiences into service for others.
You can learn more about Bela’s work and connect with her via her website.
If Bela’s story has sparked something in you, I encourage you to listen to our full conversation and explore what trusting your intuition might mean for your own journey.
