S.P. (Sergei) Zhilin

Over deze coach

I help people navigate life transitions and find more joy, calm, and meaning in everyday life. My background combines evidence-based methods, intuition, and practice. I’ve lived through major transitions myself: immigration, career changes, and rebuilding life after burnout, so I understand the uncertainty that comes with them. These experiences taught me resilience, presence, and how to find meaning even in difficult times.

I’m a certified coach with a 2-year program from Academy of Coaching and Counseling. Besides, I hold a PhD in sociology and bring 10+ years of mindfulness practice into my work.

My approach to coaching and counseling is holistic yet practical. I perceive each client as a whole person, considering their mind, body, emotions, and context rather than focusing on one aspect in isolation. I combine evidence-based methods with intuition, adapting the process to what best supports the individual. I often suggest home experiments so clients can test new ideas and put insights into practice. When desired, I also help clients build mindfulness skills, clarify their values, and connect with what gives them a sense of purpose.

With more than ten years of mindfulness practice, I bring a calm and attentive presence to every session. Many clients describe my style as being like a mirror. I listen deeply to their stories and reflect them back in ways that reveal patterns, meanings and new possibilities.

Alongside coaching, I continue to work as an independent researcher and community activist in Amsterdam. For me, personal growth and collective wellbeing are deeply connected: when you strengthen your own foundation, you also bring more balance and compassion into the world around you.