MEET CHELSEA
I’m Chelsea Szabo—Certified Executive Coach & Trainer, Breathwork Practitioner, Reiki Master Practitioner, Theta-Healer, and lifelong explorer of what truly fuels a meaningful life.
While my certifications give you a quick snapshot, my real story is about discovering and exploring the energy that powers us.
The First Spark
The first time I truly felt my energy was accidental. I had just moved to the West Coast and was struggling with a personal issue. My boyfriend at the time took me to a healer he knew who specialized in energy work. Being an East Coaster, I thought the whole thing was absurd. In fact, it freaked me out. My heart was panicked. My palms were sweating. I stood in the bathroom, seriously debating whether to escape out the window (I’m not kidding).
I stayed for the session, but I was closed off and skeptical… until something unexpected happened.
As the healer glided me in a deep breathing practice, I felt a wave of energy move through me. It was surreal. Powerful. I felt calm for the first time in forever.
And I realized there was a whole part of me that I was unaware of.
A part of me that was quiet, powerful, and alive with purpose if I wanted to tune in and listen.
The Wakeup Call
Years later, I had built a successful career as a coach working with executives in some of the world’s most iconic companies (Interpublic Group, Spotify, Yahoo, and more).
On paper, I had it all: credentials, tools, and emotional intelligence skills that were Jedi-level. But inside, I was depleted down to my soul.
One day, alone in my car, overwhelmed and unable to name what was wrong, I broke down and sobbed like I’d never stop.
I had mysterious skin rashes that no dermatologist could soothe, and fatigue that could not be quenched by any amount of sleep.
My body was begging me to listen, but I was so confused.
Later that day, I forced myself to take run. Tears fell with each step until I eventually heaved myself to the ground and begged for guidance…from somewhere. Anywhere.
I instantly had a flashback to that moment in the healer’s office.
I remembered, in vivid detail, how it felt to experience the energy of my inner world. In that moment, I decided to—somehow, some way—keep riding that wave.
The Journey Back To Me
That day started me down a six-year path of deep and disciplined personal energy exploration. I traveled around the world, studied with wise teachers, gained certifications in healing modalities I used to think were too woo to be true.
I grew my intuitive abilities to heal myself and work with others.
✳︎ My joy returned.
✳︎ My life aligned.
✳︎ Every part of my world shifted from my health, to career opportunities, to relationships, and more.
I feel passionate about and deeply honored to help my clients embark upon this journey for themselves.
The problem with success that is not aligned with your energy…
As someone who has spent over a decade in the corporate world (Disney, ThinkLA’s Board of Directors, and advertising), I know how shiny a successful life can appear on the outside. I also know how restless and flat it can feel on the inside.
Like many high achievers, I fell into the trap of chasing success at the expense of personal alignment. I wanted feel an exciting spark—but modern life’s prescription for those things is typically a better checklist or a new app.
Here’s what I know for sure…
The best personal breakthroughs in our lives don’t come from doing more. They come from remembering our inner energy and developing the practice of working with it rather than against it.
LEADING THE WAY IN
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
I don’t follow trends—I anticipate them. For over 15 years, I’ve built programs that bring shape to the unseen—guiding individuals and organizations when they can feel change coming but don’t yet know what to do with it.
— 2022 —
Launched The Musician’s Journey, a first-of-its-kind podcast where a globally touring musician (Jed Elliott of The Struts) and an executive coach (Chelsea Szabo) come together to give voice to the emotional and career issues musicians face—and the ways to overcome them. Picked up by Pantheon Podcasts and featuring guests such as Jaret Reddick, Hunter Hayes, Alana Springsteen, and more.
— 2021 —
Stronger Allies -Co-designed and co-led a five-part Allyship & Inclusion series over three years, engaging 600+ participants. Supported employees and managers in expanding awareness and leveraging their unique strengths, perspectives, and privileges to practice allyship in everyday ways.
— 2020 —
Launched IPG’s remote-work parenting initiative in early COVID, delivering practical tools, weekly support, and a digital hub for employees.
— 2017 —
Created and ran ThinkLA’s first women-only series—a sold-out experience.
— 2016 —
Launched the LA office’s first in-house Life & Career Coaching program. Coached 18 employees ranging from executives to assistants, and facilitated quarterly learning & development workshops.
— 2016 —
Contributed to the launch of the 4A’s Women and Diversity in Advertising initiative, the Glass Ladder Series, with teachings reaching 200+ attendees.
— 2016 —
Led the SoCal chapter’s first in-person Women in Toys educational event.
— 2016 —
Co-founded an annual leadership program that tackled topics corporate spaces weren’t yet addressing—work/life balance, confidence, and emotional intelligence. Ran for 8 years, supporting 6,000+ women globally.
— 2010 —
Led a research initiative with a team of 7 to identify common themes in women who thrive in advertising. With 250+ participants, the insights directly contributed to the creation of Empowership.
PROFESSIONAL BIO
Chelsea Szabo is an executive coach, speaker, and founder of Personal Energy First, a coaching and training company helping high achievers, leaders, and teams understand the direct link between their personal energy, their impact, and their fulfillment.
As a facilitator and coach, she empowers professionals to strengthen three foundational aspects of their leadership and life:
Recognizing when they are disconnected from their energy and clarity
Learning practical tools to manage stress, pressure, and uncertainty
Leading and living with greater presence, purpose, and regenerative energy
Her 15+ years of experience in corporate coaching and training, combined with two decades of deep practice in breathwork and energetic modalities, give her a unique perspective on how energy drives performance, resilience, and connection.
Through insight-driven coaching, experiential practices, and practical application, she helps leaders move beyond autopilot patterns to access steadier energy, clearer thinking, and more inspired action.
Chelsea is a certified executive coach through the International Coach Federation–accredited program at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). She is also a certified Energy Leadership Index™ master practitioner, Reiki Master, ThetaHealing® practitioner, and breathwork guide. She lives in Santa Monica with her husband and two sons.