Episode 30

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Published on:

1st Feb 2024

From Behind the Iron Curtain to Mindful Therapist & Entrepreneur

In this episode:

  • Ilona Phillips' journey behind the Iron Curtain to leader Lotus Consulting
  • Explore the profound impact of COVID-19 on mental health.
  • Master the art of incorporating mindfulness in therapy sessions.
  • Discover transformative mindful eating exercises for eating disorders.
  • Embrace the powerful impact of mindfulness in daily life.

My special guest is Ilona Phillips

Ilona Phillips, the compassionate founder of Lotus Consulting, is a seasoned therapist with a remarkable journey from a small town behind the Iron Curtain to building a thriving group practice of 30 professionals. Specializing in mindfulness, her commitment to underserved populations and holistic healing shines through her work. With a deep understanding of the power of mindfulness in therapy, Ilona's personal experiences and dedication to integrating mindfulness into her practice make her an invaluable guest. Her expertise and insights are sure to resonate with therapists and coaches, offering valuable perspectives to enhance therapeutic presence and elevate client outcomes.

Her is one of remarkable resilience and tenacity. From her early years within the restricted environment of Eastern Europe to forging a career as a distinguished therapist and mindfulness coach in the United States, Ilona's story is a testament to her determination. Her unique upbringing and personal experiences shaped her professional focus, allowing her to connect deeply with her clientele as she navigates the complexities of mental health and emotional well-being.

Now, she specializes in eating disorders and leads Lotus Consulting, a practice of 30 mental health professionals in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

You can reach her at https://lotusconsultingpllc.com or https://ilonaphillips.com

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About the Podcast

The Mindful Coach Podcast
Turning ordinary conversations into extraordinary experiences
Imagine you could uplevel every conversation you will ever have for the rest of your life. What would be the impact—professionally and personally?

How we show up in conversations—our presence, communication, and awareness—is the fastest way to improve the quality of our personal and professional lives. Yet, few people are ever taught how to cultivate this presence intentionally.

That’s what The Mindful Coach Podcast is all about.

In each episode, we explore the power of mindful communication—how awareness, somatic intelligence, and deep listening can turn ordinary conversations into extraordinary experiences. Through real conversations with coaches, leaders, and professionals, we uncover practical ways to build resilience, reduce reactivity, and create deeper connections with those we serve.

This podcast is also a gateway to a supportive professional community—the Mindful Coach Association (https://mindfulcoachassociation.com)—where mindful professionals gather to learn, connect, and grow in a space dedicated to authentic connection and skillful presence.

If you're ready to take this work further, check out my flagship program:
Mindfulness Communication and Presence for Professionals—an immersive training designed to help you cultivate presence, master communication, and transform your interactions in work and life.

If you're a coach, leader, or professional who values mindful communication and presence, visit The Mindful Coach (https://themindfulcoach.com) to learn more.

Join us as we explore what it truly means to show up—for ourselves, our clients, and the world.

Together, we are a mighty force.
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About your host

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Brett Hill

I'm a mindful somatic coach and coach trainer. I'm on a mission to help coaches be the best they can be, and the best way I know to do that, is to promote and encourage coach mindfulness. I created the Mindful Coach Method to help coaches learn the many great techniques and practices I've had the good fortune to learn and employ over the years.

But my interests go beyond training coaches and private practice.

I founded the Mindful Coach Association so coaches and other helping professionals who value mindfulness in their work can connect and collaborate. To help members be successful and tell their stories to the world. I launched the Mindful Coach Podcast.

Strangely enough, my interests in mindful communication align with my passion for technology.

After graduating with a degree in interpersonal communication, I became a technology expert and enjoyed a distinguished technical career. I frequently presented at technical conferences worldwide for companies like Microsoft, authored books, and was awarded Microsoft’s distinguished “Most Valuable Professional” award for nine years.

All my life I've been fascinated with how things actually work. That means looking deeply and seriously inside as well as at the world. How do our minds work? What are the limits of the human capacity to learn and understand? What creates unhappiness or joy?

I studied many inner practices, from common forms to very esoteric. I taught mindfulness and meditation in many forms. One of my most immersive studies was in Hakomi, a mindfulness-based somatic psychology, with founder Ron Kurtz. Also group dynamics under the guidance of Amina Knowlan, creator of Matrix Leadership. In addition, I taught beginning and advanced meditation for several years at the Lotus Center in Okla. City and established the Quest Institute meditation center in Dallas.

After obtaining several coach certifications, I created and teache The Mindful Coach Method to help “bridge the gap” so coaches can experience and use coaching presence, coach-centered mindfulness, and the somatic techniques he has found so essential in his work, yet are often missing in coach training.

I'm on a mission in my work as a coach, teacher, speaker, and author to help people be more present and connected to their authentic voice, and the world itself. I specialize in mindful communications and coach training so we can connect authentically, speak truly, and listen deeply. What does the world need more than this?

Certifications include International Coaching Federation, Somatic-Wellness & Mindfulness Coach, and Mindful Facilitator by the Institute for Organizational Mindfulness. He’s also an alumnus of the Inner MBA by Sounds True, and has hundreds of hours of training in Hakomi, Matrix Group Leadership, Martial Art, Contact Improvisation, and others.