Not every day you come across someone who seamlessly blends empathy, cross-cultural expertise, and proactive, day-to-day coaching to help people navigate life’s most challenging moments. But that’s exactly what led us to speak with Tamara Kapustina, a sought-after wellness and life coach whose innovative methods have helped multiple individuals—spanning diverse ages, backgrounds, and levels of difficulty—overcome their barriers to well-being. From working closely with patients battling advanced anorexia to providing daily support for those with anxiety, depression, and more, she has guided countless clients to breakthroughs they once thought impossible.
In this interview, Tamara opens up about how life on multiple continents, starting and running a business, and raising children all contributed to a coaching method that relies on a consistent, close engagement, ensuring a stable foundation and continuous progress.
Q: Tamara, you have an incredibly diverse background. You’ve worked with Dr. Irina Volynsky, co-created a specialized format of care for advanced eating disorders, and continuously supported people facing all sorts of mental health challenges. Considering your diverse background in entrepreneurship, music, cultural transitions, and parenting, what ultimately inspired you to become a wellness coach?
Tamara: Honestly, it happened almost by accident. I once helped a young patient who had an extremely severe form of anorexia, and the progress she made through close, consistent support changed not only her life but also my perspective. Together with Dr. Irina Volynsky, we designed a unique format of work that goes beyond traditional weekly or monthly check-ins. We recognized that many people need someone in their corner far more frequently—often daily—to help them navigate crucial decisions and emotional triggers as they arise.
That one experience expanded into a full-fledged calling. We saw just how transformational it could be when a coach is available in moments of crisis—not just during scheduled sessions. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping a multitude of patients suffering from very varied conditions, from eating disorders and addictions to chronic stress and depression.
Q: Your approach is hands-on and proactive. Could you explain how you’re able to address so many different types of problems—from eating disorders to anxiety to burnout—under one umbrella of wellness coaching?
Tamara: One of the key things I’ve learned is that, although each person’s story is different, the underlying emotional processes often share common threads. Whether it’s disordered eating, anxiety, or even career burnout, we frequently deal with the same core struggles: fear, uncertainty, and a sense of feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands.
My role is to be deeply present in a client’s journey—sometimes daily. By actively listening and observing, I can help identify both large and subtle triggers. Then, I collaborate with them to develop strategies for managing those triggers, and, if necessary, I temporarily step in to handle smaller decisions. This alleviates the “decision fatigue” people often experience, freeing up their mental space for deeper self-reflection and healing.
Q: You mentioned temporarily taking over “small decisions” for your clients. Could you give us a concrete example of how that works?
Absolutely. Let’s say someone is having a tough time just getting through the day. They’re overwhelmed by tasks at work, choices at home, and the anxiety that comes with those responsibilities. In such cases, I might suggest which task they tackle first or for example, propose what they could eat for lunch. This might seem minor, but for a person on the edge, even small choices can add up to a huge mental burden.
By delegating that decision-making, my clients get a break from the stress of “What do I do next?” They can use the emotional bandwidth they save to focus on core issues—like recognizing unhealthy thought patterns or practicing a new coping strategy. Eventually, as they gain confidence, they take back these smaller decisions themselves.
Q: It sounds like your method truly resonates with people, especially in critical moments. Could you share a particularly impactful story that illustrates the power of your coaching approach?
One story that stays with me is about a young woman who suffered from reactive depression alongside an eating disorder. She reached a point where getting out of bed felt pointless—she was convinced that nothing in her life mattered. On one of her darkest mornings, she recalled something I’d told her: “No matter how hopeless things seem, you always have the power to make a choice—however small.”
So she made a decision to get out of bed, just once. She didn’t do anything especially productive that day, but that one action showed her that she could still choose to move forward. Each day after that, getting out of bed felt less daunting because she remembered how it felt when she’d done it before. Over time, she built on that single step, confronting bigger challenges as her confidence grew.
She emailed me recently to say that moment changed her entire mindset. Hearing that was an emotional reminder of why I’m so dedicated to this work: one seemingly small victory can spark a lasting transformation.
Q: That’s truly an inspiring story, Tamara—thank you for sharing such a meaningful moment. As we wrap up, could you tell our readers what’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you’re particularly excited about?
A: Absolutely. I’m currently working at TEMA Therapy Center, where I look forward to making a positive impact on a broader community. One aspect I’m particularly excited about is the center’s commitment to cross-cultural accessibility—which aligns perfectly with my background and experiences.
Follow her on Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/mille_tidi?igsh=MWpuNzRwY2x4cWh2eA%3D%3D
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-kapustina-53a1a715b/
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 1303374
