By: UFIRST Production 

‘I Am Ukrainian, and I Am Proud of It’: The Power of Identity Abroad

An exclusive interview with Iryna Kovalovaon cultural pride, personal transformation, and empowering women through breath and self-discovery

When Iryna Kovalovaspeaks, there is a quiet confidence in her voice — the kind that comes not from a title, but from truth. A Ukrainian-born woman’s coach, speaker, and breathwork facilitator, Iryna now lives in the United States, where she helps women reconnect with their inner power, find clarity in chaos, and rediscover who they truly are. But her work goes far beyond the personal. It is deeply rooted in her identity as a Ukrainian woman — something she wears with pride, especially in times of global change and challenge. Through every breath session, every coaching conversation, and every story she shares, Iryna carries the strength of her homeland with her.

We spoke with Iryna about identity, adaptation, feminine power, and what it truly means to live with cultural integrity abroad.

Q: Iryna, you work closely with women to help them find their voice. How did this mission begin for you?

Iryna: It started with my own search. Like many women, I was once caught in a life that looked fine on the outside, but felt disconnected on the inside. I had lost touch with my real desires, with my body, with my intuition. That moment of truth came when I realized I didn’t really know who I was without the roles I played. Through breathwork, coaching, and deep personal healing, I started to remember myself. And I saw how many women around me were also living on autopilot, disconnected from their truth. That’s when I realized this was my path — to help women come home to themselves.

Q: Breathwork is a big part of what you do. Why is that so powerful for women, especially?

Iryna: Because breath is our bridge between the body and the soul. It’s the first thing we do when we come into this world and the last thing we do when we leave. And yet, most people rarely breathe fully. For women — especially those who’ve lived through trauma, transition, or self-abandonment — breath becomes a way to reconnect. It softens the nervous system, releases stored emotions, and gently opens space for truth to emerge. In my sessions, we don’t just talk. We breathe. We cry. We laugh. And slowly, women begin to feel safe in their bodies again. That’s when real transformation often begins.

Q: You’ve spoken publicly about your Ukrainian roots. How does your identity shape your work?

Iryna: Being Ukrainian is my foundation. It’s not just where I was born — it’s how I love, how I fight, how I believe. Our culture taught me resilience, deep emotional intelligence, and the power of connection. I carry that into every session with my clients. Especially now, after what Ukraine has gone through, I feel a deep responsibility to represent my country with dignity. I want people in the U.S. to see that Ukrainian women are strong, sensitive, wise, and incredibly resourceful. We don’t give up — we rise.

Q: What are the biggest challenges women face when they move to a new country?

Iryna: Loss of identity. When you change countries, you lose more than geography — you often lose language, status, social support, and a sense of belonging. You can begin to feel unseen or unheard. That’s why so many immigrant women come to me saying, “I don’t recognize myself anymore.” They want to feel seen again — and more importantly, to see themselves again. My work is about guiding them through that rediscovery, not by giving advice, but by creating a space where they can listen to their own soul.

Q: What role does cultural pride play in this rediscovery process?

Iryna: A huge role. I always tell my clients: You don’t have to erase your culture to adapt. You can be both. You can integrate, contribute, grow, and still speak your native language at home, cook your traditional meals, and wear your symbols with pride. In fact, the more rooted you are in where you come from, the more confidently you can stand in the world. Your identity isn’t a burden — it’s a superpower.

Q: What do you want American audiences to know about Ukrainian women today?

Iryna: We are more than headlines. We are more than conflict. We are mothers, leaders, artists, healers, and entrepreneurs. We are the voice of a generation that refuses to be silenced. Ukrainian women carry centuries of wisdom through lullabies, rituals, and stories passed down in kitchens and gardens. And now, we’re sharing that wisdom globally. With love, not with anger. With softness, not with fear.

Q: What’s your dream for the women you work with — and for yourself?

Iryna: My dream is that every woman remembers her worth, not because someone told her, but because she feels it in her bones. She stops shrinking to fit someone else’s version of success and starts living in her own rhythm. And for myself? I want to keep building bridges — between cultures, between generations, between mind and heart. I want to help women breathe again, believe again, and build lives that feel like home. Because no matter where you are in the world, if you are connected to yourself, you are never lost.

Iryna Kovalova reminds us that identity is not something you leave behind — it’s something you lead with. Her work is not only healing individuals — it’s weaving together cultures, hearts, and futures. In a world that often tells us to forget who we are, Iryna is one of the brave voices reminding us to remember.