Ashley Kopcho
Ashley Kopcho is a transformation coach and wellness advocate.
She tells us that, “I left behind a conventional 9-5 corporate career to create a life of freedom, health, and happiness. Certified in yoga, meditation, life coaching, and holistic wellness, I empower clients to design lives filled with purpose and balance. Drawing from my own journey of overcoming adversity, I bring a strategic yet deeply personal approach to coaching. My mission is to help others achieve their dreams and live more fulfilling lives, merging practical strategies with well-being.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up moving around a LOT. My father was in the US Air Force and so we moved to a new city every 2-4 years. I’ve lived all around the US, Germany, and South Korea. My mother is Korean, so I spent a lot of my childhood in South Korea. My mother is a strong woman who was a stay at home mom while we were growing up. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother- I am the eldest. I spent a lot of my childhood helping my mom navigate her new home in America and also helping her with my siblings.
When I was younger, it was sometimes especially hard because my dad was often deployed to places like Iraq and Afghanistan. My mom had just learned how to drive and her English wasn’t very good yet. We had just moved to Colorado after living in South Korea for the first 7ish years of my life. I had just started elementary school and I only spoke Korean at the time, but after about one year in Colorado , my mom was shocked to find my English was perfect. She always tells me the story of how when we first moved to Colorado, I cried to my parents that I wanted to go back to Korea because English was really hard. But then, a few months later- I was already so chatty in English and I was so willing to help my mom with everything! At the time it was only me and my sister- but a few years later my brother and youngest sister were born. It wasn’t long before we moved to Texas for a few years.
Around the time that I started middle school, my dad had the opportunity to be stationed in Germany. He asked the family if we wanted to go. We were all so ecstatic and so few months later, movers came, and we were off to a whole new continent. Germany was amazing. My siblings and I were picking up German. Our parents put us in all kinds of activities from any kind of sports, to opera, theater, dance, singing lessons, piano lessons, you name it – my parents let us do and follow whatever dreams we had or wanted. We were traveling all around Europe exploring new countries. The only part of Germany that was difficult was for the first time, my parents were having a little bit of trouble in their marriage after almost 15 years. This was a huge crossroads as I felt, as the eldest, I was the only one to truly know about it. My parents talked to me a little bit about it but kept it from my siblings. They were considering divorce. The stress of being in a whole new country, with a whole new language was weighing us all down a little bit, but also the stress of 4 kids going through puberty must have been tough. I tried to stay strong and just hoped that my parents could work it out. In the end they were able to work it out and are still happily married to this day.
4 years went by and my dad had another opportunity – to move to South Korea. My mom seemed to be missing home and my youngest siblings had never been to Korea yet, so this move was almost a no brainer. While we were a little sad to be leaving Germany- the whole family was also excited at the same time. We got to Korea around the time that I started High school. This is some of my favorite and most memorable years from my childhood. We loved being in a place where we could get anywhere with public transportation. We loved the food and how affordable it was. We loved being close to family (my mom’s side). Me and my siblings had such an amazing time there.
After I graduated high school, my dad retired from the air force. The summer before I started college, my family moved to Omaha, NE (where my dad’s side of the family is) and I moved to Texas for university. In university I studied international relations and global studies with the hopes of becoming a Diplomat- but towards the end of my studies I decided I wanted to work in the corporate world.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I realized life is short and we do in fact have the power in our hands to create whatever sort of life we want for ourselves. In 2021, I lost one of my best friends to COVID. This was one of the hardest periods of my life. During this time, I also had an incredibly toxic partner who was not supportive and even got abusive. In my career, I was doing amazing. I kept on getting promotions. I was making more money each year. But, in my personal life, I felt like I was withering away. I was so stressed. I had lost 20 pounds (which was far too much as I am already a smaller person). I was developing horrible acne that wouldn’t go away no matter how many dermatologists I went to and creams I used. I felt so unhappy and was crying almost everyday. I couldn’t live like that anymore and needed to make a change. I got myself out of the horrible relationship and reported him to the police. I decided to go on a healing journey. I moved to the cities I had always wanted to live in. I started to meet friends who I felt more aligned with. While the pain of losing one of my best friends was still eating away at my heart for quite some time, I learned how to manage the pain and even get back to my daily life. To reduce stress, I started meditating. I got back into the things I had stopped and forgotten I loved- like yoga. The healing journey took me years. But once I was healed, I came back stronger than ever. My acne completely went away. My health was back to normal. I was starting to feel almost happier than I ever had before. That’s when I decided I was going to live life on my own terms- no more living to please others and no more waiting around for the right time to live life the way I want. Because, life is short and you never know when it can be taken away from you. I began to get certifications, learn, and study so that I could help others to build their dream life the way I have been able to.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
If given the opportunity, I would love to see a world where women feel empowered to pursue their passions fearlessly, with the confidence that their dreams are not only valid but essential. I envision a future where women entrepreneurs have equal access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities, breaking down barriers that have historically limited our potential. I want to see more women supporting each other, fostering communities where collaboration, rather than competition, drives success. By embracing our unique strengths and perspectives, we can create a more inclusive and innovative world that thrives on diversity and the power of female leadership.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women in leadership today represent a powerful and transformative force in the world. As more women break through glass ceilings, they bring diverse perspectives, empathy, and collaborative leadership styles that are reshaping workplaces for the better. Women leaders are challenging traditional norms, driving innovation, and fostering inclusive cultures that prioritize equity and well-being. However, while progress has been made, there’s still much work to be done to ensure that all women, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to rise to leadership positions. I believe that continued support, mentorship, and advocacy for women in leadership are crucial to sustaining and expanding this positive momentum, creating a future where leadership reflects the true diversity of our society.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
The most important thing I’ve learned in both my personal life and professional journey is the power of resilience and adaptability. Life is full of unexpected challenges and changes, but embracing these moments as opportunities for growth has been transformative for me. Whether it’s navigating career shifts, personal setbacks, or stepping out of my comfort zone, I’ve found that staying resilient and open to change leads to greater fulfillment and success.
My personal motto in life is, “Embrace the journey, not just the destination.” This reminds me to find joy and meaning in every step of the way, to be present, and to appreciate the lessons learned along the path to my goals. It’s about valuing the process as much as the outcome, and staying true to my values and passions throughout the journey.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
To the young women leaders and entrepreneurs reading this: Believe in your vision and your ability to bring it to life. The path to success is rarely straight, and you may face obstacles along the way, but your grit, determination, and resilience are your greatest assets. Surround yourself with a supportive community, seek out mentors who inspire you, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Remember, your unique perspective is your strength—embrace it and let it guide you. You have the power to create, innovate, and lead in ways that will shape the future. Keep pushing forward, trust in yourself, and know that your journey is not just about achieving goals but also about inspiring others to follow their own path.