When my husband and I started talking about having kids, I was scared shitless - not about pregnancy itself, but about managing everyone else's emotions around my choices.
But I'd spent years learning that avoiding difficult conversations doesn't keep the peace - it just teaches people your voice doesn't matter. And I knew once you're pregnant, it gets 10x harder to change those patterns. So I got to work...
Meet Lena Athena
I had the prestigious titles and political influence over millions of lives - but I still felt small in some of my closest relationships.
Today, I help ambitious women who are thinking about kids, trying to conceive, pregnant, or new moms navigate family pressure so they can focus on what actually matters instead of managing everyone else's emotions.
Congressionally Recognized Leader
TEDx
SPEAKER
Silicon Valley 2020 Woman of Influence
How It Started
Growing up I was unaware I was a chronic people-pleaser. And after I realized I was, I thought I'd "fixed it" because I'd learned to speak up at work. I had finally "made it" in my career: in charge in almost every room I stepped into; drowning in awards.
But, I was still biting my tongue when my family, my husband's family (who had expectations of a culture completely unfamiliar to me), and even friends made comments that made my skin crawl.
It was like I had two different versions of myself - the confident leader everyone respected professionally, and the woman who avoided conflict in her most important relationships. And I knew once we started a family it was going to become a huge problem.
When you're thinking about kids, trying to conceive, or pregnant, everyone suddenly becomes an expert on YOUR body, YOUR choices, YOUR timeline. In-laws act like your baby is "their grandchild" to influence. Parents question your decisions. And if you're in an intercultural relationship? The opinions multiply.
When you avoid difficult conversations, you train people to treat you like your opinions are optional. When you set boundaries that build intimacy, you become the mother who leads by example.
This is why I developed the exact framework that helps ambitious women go from dreading family conversations to handling them with confidence - so you can focus on your pregnancy instead of managing everyone else's feelings about your choices.
and No amount of "loving each other" can make you feel safe or seen if you play small in your most important relationships
Turns out avoiding conflict isn't keeping the peace... It's killing it.
How It's Going
Days I wake up grateful to spend my life with my husband? 100%.
Moments I say what's on my mind and shock someone a little, but then get them on the same team as me? More than you'd think.
More importantly, I get messages almost every day from women all around the world telling me that their family members, in-laws, partners are finally seeing them, hearing them, and respecting their choices.
That they're no longer scared to lean into marriage and motherhood, because they know they can do it on THEIR terms.
Some of Our 500+ Transformations:
"Lena was so helpful in guiding me on communication with my husband around my business. She is so good at reading subtext and mirroring back to me what I needed to hear. I highly, highly recommend her coaching."
Callie
"This was the eye-opening experience ever! I didn't expect to have so many downloads - and a completely new view of boundaries! I think this is absolutely critical for everyone on Earth- especially if you're a business owner."
Lena
"I went from logically knowing that I'm confident and that I have dreams worth pursuing to actually feeling it in my body! The mindset work and somatic work is a magic pairing. It's been incredible to work with her!"
