Lifestyle

Serving Up Success: How Ex-Tennis Pro Kasia Siwosz Became a Powerhouse in Life Coaching

Published

7 months ago

September 24, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo credit: Kasia Siwosz

By: Mae Cornes

Kasia Siwosz’s journey from professional tennis to elite life coaching is a story of resilience and adaptability. Born in Poland, Siwosz discovered tennis at age six, quickly turning it into her life’s passion. By 18, she had bootstrapped her way to the top 400 in doubles and 700 in singles on the WTA tour.

However, the financial realities of professional tennis forced a pivot. “I knew it would take another 3-5 years and serious money to reach the top 100 – money I simply didn’t have,” Siwosz recalls. This crossroads led her to pursue education in the United States, ultimately landing a full scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley.

The Transition: From Athlete to Investment Banker

After graduating from Berkeley, Siwosz faced the competitive world of investment banking. Her persistence paid off after six months of networking and interviews, as she secured a position in London. The transition wasn’t easy, as she found herself in a high-pressure environment reminiscent of her athletic career.

“It was tough, yet strangely familiar. It reminded me of my days as a professional tennis player, except this time I was competing in the banking game,” she notes. The long hours and intense competition in banking provided valuable insights that would later inform her coaching methodology.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Lessons Learned

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Siwosz left banking to start a restaurant business in London. This venture ultimately did not succeed, but it offered crucial lessons in resilience and adaptability. The experience humbled her and provided firsthand knowledge of the challenges entrepreneurs face.

Following the restaurant closure, her unique combination of banking and entrepreneurial experience led her to venture capital. She worked with high-profile startups, assisting in capital raising and operational efficiencies. However, the pandemic’s impact on the VC fund led to another career reassessment.

The Birth of a Coaching Career

During this period of reflection, Siwosz discovered her calling in life coaching. Drawing from her diverse background, she developed a coaching program tailored for high-achieving individuals.

“With a wealth of both successes and failures, I can deeply connect with my clients and help them tap into their true purpose,” Siwosz explains. C-suite executives, top-tier professionals, and elite athletes – individuals operating at levels where marginal gains can make significant differences – are included in her client base.

A Unique Coaching Methodology

People describe Siwosz’s coaching program as intensive and focused on achieving rapid results. Unlike traditional coaching or therapy, her technique aims to eliminate challenges rather than just provide tools or advice.

While she does not disclose specific metrics on client numbers and success rates, Siwosz emphasizes the transformative nature of her program. She focuses on helping clients bridge the gap between their current state and desired outcomes, addressing hidden blocks that may sabotage wealth, health, and happiness.

Global Reach and Future Aspirations

Currently based in London, Siwosz’s influence extends beyond the U.K. She has coached clients from various global hubs, including the United States, Monaco, Dubai, Luxembourg, Milan, and Paris. She has made these international connections through LinkedIn, social media, and referrals.

Looking ahead, Siwosz aims to establish herself as a leading life coach in London while remaining open to global opportunities. Her immediate goal is to build a robust client base in the U.K. capital, focusing on quality over quantity in her coaching relationships.

The high-end sector of the life coaching industry remains competitive, with coaches differentiating themselves through unique value propositions. Siwosz’s diverse background across professional tennis, investment banking, entrepreneurship, and venture capital allows her to connect deeply with the multifaceted challenges her high-achieving clients face. This unique blend of experiences sets her apart, offering clients a personalized and transformative coaching approach that addresses their specific needs.

However, the industry needs standardized metrics for success, making it challenging to objectively quantify the impact of coaching services. Because universal benchmarks are absent, coaches like Siwosz rely heavily on client testimonials and word-of-mouth referrals to build their reputation.

The life coaching industry continues to grow, with the International Coach Federation reporting a 33% increase in members from 2015 to 2019. As the field evolves, coaches like Siwosz must adapt to changing client needs and industry trends while maintaining the personal touch that defines their practice.

Kasia Siwosz’s journey from the tennis courts of Poland to the coaching rooms of London exemplifies the diverse paths that can lead to a career in life coaching. Her story underscores the value of varied life experiences in shaping a coaching philosophy that resonates with high-achieving clients across multiple industries.

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

3 mins ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.