Hey there! I’m Leah,
I’m an Empowerment Coach based out of the small surf town, Lobitos, Peru.
I feel privileged to be able to coach women and help them reconnect to themselves. I didn’t always feel like I had the freedom to live life on my own terms. I went through seasons of life where I was constantly trying to please other people.
Here’s the thing, we’ll never be able to make everyone else happy. And by trying, we lose ourselves.
Part of my obsession with surfing was that it became a place where I could connect to myself without a cloud of expectations hovering over me.
As I move through this next season of life, I can’t wait to reach more women and grow this community of conscious women reconnecting to themselves.
How I got here
The first time I ever tried surfing was on a school trip to Costa Rica. The board was probably 12 feet long and the waves were probably ankle height. To tell you the truth, I don’t remember those details, I only remember that I loved it.
Three years later, it’s 2011, I’m on a volunteer trip in Lobitos Peru and I’m about to try surfing again. This time I have to wear a wetsuit, the waves are stronger and I’m not exactly ‘in shape.’
I come out wearing my wetsuit and one of the staff says to me “you look awkward” and that’s exactly how I felt… for years.
Fast forward to 2016, I’ve returned to Lobitos and have been living in Peru for 3 years. I finally started taking consistent surf lessons. I’m terrified every time I paddle out, but I can stand up and ride down the line.
However, everytime I paddle for a wave I have this inner voice telling me a combination of: I’m not good enough, I look stupid, the wave is too big for me and I’m not going to make it.
It took a while, but I learned how to control that inner voice.
What I realized was, that inner voice was repeating my own subconscious thoughts back to me.
These were thoughts that I didn’t even realize I still had in my mind. Surfing brought them to the surface for me.
When I started understanding my own mental and emotional patterns I was able to dismantle them one at a time, and I got a LOT better at surfing.
Lobitos Living
Now that I don’t have a deep fear of surfing it’s something I’m able to enjoy most days living in Lobitos. When I meet tourists in the water and they find out I’ve been living here for 10 years the most common question I get asked is: “But, what do you do here?”
Here’s the thing, we’re so used to thinking that life is about doing things. About filling out days with work, social events, shopping, family. We think we’re only supposed to adventure on the 2 weeks a year we have of vacation and the occasional long weekend.
What I do in Lobitos, is live an unstructured life. It’s still life with all it’s ups and downs, but it’s not dictated by anyone else. I’m able to connect with women from all over the world through my work and I am so grateful for that opportunity.
When I’m not working, I’m surfing, walking my dogs, enjoying sunrises and sunsets, drawing, watching Netflix, spending time with friends, and oftentimes I’m doing chores and regular things around the house!
The thing about Lobitos is there are very few distractions.
That’s why I love it.
Surfing has been a major tool to help me live an authentic and aligned life, something I think we all deserve to be doing.
Your authentic and aligned life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t have to be about finding one spiritual practice you dedicate your whole life to. I think it’s more about finding presence and awareness in the everyday moments of life.
It’s about connecting with nature and coming home to yourself.
Let’s continue the conversation
Ways we can connect
Private Coaching
A supportive 9 week program for women who want to live an intentional, mindful and spiritually connected life so they can pursue their goals and live their most authentic lives.
Retreats
All inclusive 8 day retreats in Lobitos, Peru for ocean inspired women. You’ll improve your surfing while deepening your connection to yourself and the sea.
Community
A group coaching membership for women who are striving to live in alignment with their higher selves & who are seeking connection, support and accountability.
A few more random things about me . . .
- I’m from Vancouver, Canada but I’ve also made a second home for myself in Lobitos, Peru
- I’m an introvert but I love to go out dancing
- I have 2 dogs, Madi & Ryder and a cat, Oliver
- Learning to surf was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done
- I try to shop second hand whenever possible (much easier in Canada than in Peru)
I look forward to getting to know YOU better, however we may connect!
Email: hello@leahdonatiello.com
Instagram: @leah.donatiello
