The Transformative Power of Gratitude: From Pain to Purpose with Valeriya Hjertenaes

What if the very thing that broke you became the catalyst that built you?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of GRASP Confidence, I sit down with Valeriya Hjertenaes, a courageous scholar and rising thought leader whose journey proves that gratitude can be the bridge between pain and purpose. Born and raised in Ukraine, Valeriya grew up in a home shadowed by her father’s alcoholism and the heavy weight of unworthiness. Despite being intellectually gifted and outwardly beautiful, she silently battled depression and struggled with self-confidence for much of her life.

But everything changed when she made a life-altering decision: to no longer be defined by her past, but by the woman she knew she was always meant to become.

Now pursuing her PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Valeriya holds Master’s degrees in Finance, Knowledge Management, and Innovation Management. Her doctoral research explores the role of diversity management in advancing industrial sustainability—focusing on gender, cultural, and neurodiversity. She is also a passionate mental health advocate, proudly neurodivergent, and on a mission to create spaces of inclusion and understanding.

In our conversation, we explore the transformative power of gratitude—how it can rewire identity, elevate confidence, and serve as a spiritual and emotional compass when the world feels uncertain. Valeriya vulnerably shares how gratitude and responsibility became the anchors that allowed her to heal and rise—and how she is now walking boldly toward her next dream: becoming a TEDx speaker. I’ve had the honor of coaching and mentoring Valeriya through this next chapter, and what’s unfolding is nothing short of inspiring.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your story or unsure of your worth, this episode is your invitation to reclaim your power through the lens of gratitude. Because healing doesn’t begin with what happened to us—it begins with what we choose to do next.

💫 Let this be the reminder: Gratitude doesn’t just change your mindset, it transforms your entire life.

✨ What does GRASP stand for? Gratitude. Responsibility. Action. Sight. Purpose. These five pillars form the foundation of authentic, confident leadership and every episode of the GRASP Confidence Podcast is designed to help you embody them more fully in your life, business, and calling.

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