Hala Kazim in Norway
If you thrive on helping people, one of the easiest ways to help others is to simply share your knowledge. That’s exactly what spurred Emirati Hala Kazim to launch Journey Through Change (JTC), a positive transformation programme that empowers women and helps them through personal or professional ordeals.
While going through struggles of her own, Kazim realised she was the one with the power to turn her life around and embarked on a journey of enlightenment. And she has chosen to share life-altering strategies through JTC, which aims to boost positive change through team-building hiking trips interlaced with counselling, workshops, coaching and lectures. The wife, mother and grandmother, who is a certified counsellor and coach from London’s City University, believes getting away from it all can help women look within and strive to find their true selves. Her work has earned her several awards and Kazim, who has spoken at the United Nations global #myvoicematters event, has become a megawatt social influencer to boot.
A JTC trip in Italy
We chat to Kazim, who is also a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming coach and practitioner with the American Board of NLP in the UK, to get more insight about the support programme that looks into the emotional, physical or intellectual. We also ask the motivational speaker, celebrated artist and author of two self-help books about her recent Achievement in Motivation and Wellbeing Award win at the Arab Women of the Year Awards and who has inspired her.
You found your true calling by empowering and guiding others, but you’ve been through your own struggles in the past. How did you turn your life around?
I think one of the main things anybody should do is admit they have a problem, and they need to change that and ask for help. That’s what I did.
Why did you choose hiking as the main physical activity to positively impact people’s lives?
I tried it for myself to see that it really helps to rejuvenate you and studies even prove that walking, talking and thinking optimistically in nature helps you take care of yourself. It also gets you to think even more positively.
What’s the advantage of leaving our comfort zones and being far away from our families and loved ones?
Being away is one of the main things that gives you an insight of what you are going through. Being far away gives you more clearance; it takes you away from all the pressure, which helps you think about things in a clearer way.
Hala walking with a group
Tell us about some of the exciting events you have lined up for 2018.
There’s going to be a reunion with participants of my JTC trips and my birthday.
Tell us about your spontaneous counselling sessions, which you call Coffee With Hala.
It is just an informal session and no pressure is there, that’s all.
Do you have some simple, quick techniques women can use every day to help them feel better about themselves?
I think we give all these techniques through our journeys, our lectures and Coffee with Hala.
What do you do to unwind?
I travel alone.
What went through your mind while receiving your award at the Arab Women of the Year Awards?
I believe there is more to come.
You’ve inspired many women, but who has motivated you?
That would be my mentor, Elaine Kinney, my husband and my sons.
