At Charles Whitaker Changes, it is my belief that every individual has the potential to be the hero of their own story. Recently, I had the privilege of mentoring a Ukrainian woman whose life had been disrupted by war. Together, over 4 sessions, we used the framework of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey to help her rediscover her strengths, create a vision for her future, and begin her personal transformation.
Her story demonstrates the power of resilience, self-awareness, and guided support to overcome adversity and embrace life as a priceless gift.
Background: Life in the Ordinary World
When we first connected, she described her life as being in a state of flux. War had uprooted her from her homeland, leaving her to navigate an unfamiliar environment while grappling with self-doubt. In her words:
“I didn’t perceive myself as a hero. What does this have to do with me? I’m not a young woman anymore. I don’t even understand how to rebuild my life to feel confident again.”
Her professional background was impressive:
- A PhD in Economics and Management.
- Over a decade of university teaching experience.
- A skilled writer, editor, and public speaker.
However, she struggled to see how her talents and achievements could help her rebuild her life abroad.
The Approach: Introducing the Hero’s Journey
To spark hope and direction, I introduced her to The Hero’s Journey—a narrative structure that frames transformation as a process of self-discovery and action. At first, she saw it as a fairy tale, detached from her reality. In Hero’s Journey terms she refused the call. However, after hearing another interpretation in her native language, she realised that the Hero’s Journey could serve as a practical framework for her life.
The Stages of Transformation
1) The Call to Adventure: Acknowledging the Current Reality
We began by mapping her “Ordinary World.” This was an honest inventory of her current skills, circumstances, and challenges:
- A professional background in economics and academia.
- Fluency in English and Spanish at intermediate levels.
- Living abroad with limited financial stability and significant self-doubt.
This stage helped her understand that transformation begins with self-awareness.
2) Visionary Thinking: Imagining the Future
Next, we explored her vision for her ideal future. Through mentoring sessions, she articulated goals such as:
- Returning to university teaching, ideally abroad.
- Creating a course on economic thinking that integrates entrepreneurial methods and modern creativity.
- Gaining language proficiency to teach in English confidently.
- Building a life where she could travel freely and enjoy financial stability.
These aspirations marked the first step in her departure from self-doubt to possibility.
“When I think about working at a university abroad, everything seems to go numb. But now I know this is my dream.”
3) Facing Resistance: Internal and External Barriers
Despite her newfound clarity, resistance surfaced. She spoke candidly about her fears:
- “What if I can’t? What if I fail? There are millions of people like me.”
- A tendency to undervalue her accomplishments and compare herself to others.
We reframed these doubts as “Threshold Guardians”—challenges every hero faces and must overcome to move forward.
4) Building Momentum: Mentorship and Action
With support, she began taking tangible steps:
- Revisiting the Hero’s Journey framework, watching videos, and exploring Campbell’s book.
- Seeking mentorship from a deputy dean at a respected university to better understand the academic landscape abroad.
- Researching ways to create her envisioned course on economic thinking.
Each step reinforced her sense of agency and capability.
5) Transformation: Shifting Perspective
A pivotal moment occurred when she reframed her journey:
“I realised that the war wasn’t just a disruption. It’s also a chance to grow, to become the person I’ve always wanted to be.”
She began to see life as an adventure and herself as the protagonist, capable of shaping her story.
Outcomes and Reflections
Key Achievements:
- Clarity of Purpose: She now has a clear vision for her career and personal goals.
- Action Plan: She is actively working on language skills, academic opportunities, and course development.
- Mindset Shift: She embraces her challenges with a growth mindset, viewing her journey as a path to freedom and fulfilment.
“My true journey will begin when I treat life as a happy adventure and a priceless gift. I know I’m not there yet, but I’ve started walking—and only the one who walks reaches the goal.”
Conclusion: The Role of Mentorship
This journey highlights the profound impact of mentorship in empowering individuals to embrace their potential. By guiding her through the Hero’s Journey, I was able to help her transform self-doubt into action and vision into steps forward.
At Charles Whitaker Changes, I believe everyone has a hero within. Are you ready to embark on your own journey of transformation? Let’s start the adventure together.