logo
episode-header-image
Jul 1
1h 6m

469. Breaking through your limitations: ...

HADAR SHEMESH
About this episode

In this interview, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Katya, one of my amazing students who started learning English from scratch seven years ago. What’s even more incredible is that she did it all without ever living in an English-speaking country!!

Katya takes us through her journey, from feeling stuck and frustrated to finding the breakthrough that led her to become a leader in our communities. We dive deep into how pronunciation work, especially prosody, not only helped her speak with confidence but also transformed her mindset and life.

In this conversation, Katya shares her challenges, wins, and the powerful role our community played in her success. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure of your own learning path, her story will inspire you to keep going and find joy in the process.

I am so honored to share this interview. I dearly love Katya, and I know you will love her too! 

Learn with me:

Join my membership, Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N 

Get on the waitlist for my 3-month program, New Sound: https://bit.ly/3I9wNkY

Up next
Aug 22
New Sound Scholarships Now Open! [Deadline August 30]
Are you ready to take your English pronunciation to the next level? We’re offering 10 full scholarships for lifetime access to New Sound, my transformative 12-week pronunciation coaching program. This is your chance to get world-class training and personal support, all completely ... Show More
4m 29s
Aug 19
474. Elevate your English: Linking words you can use beyond ‘However’ and ‘Or’
In this episode, we'll explore different linking words that you can add to your English vocabulary. You’ll get more ideas to express your thoughts differently, beyond words like "however" or "or"! You’ll learn how to connect your ideas more naturally and fluently, making your spe ... Show More
15m 16s
Aug 12
473. Build your English confidence step-by-step [7-day challenge]
Confidence doesn’t magically appear overnight, it’s something you build, one step at a time. The truth is, confidence is a skill, and just like any other skill, you can learn it, practice it, and get better at it. In this episode, I’ll share the most common things that get in the ... Show More
12m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2
?️Curiosity, Creativity & Lifelong Learning with Matt Rauscher | Real English Conversations | Speak Clearly & Confidently at Work
What if lifelong learning wasn’t just about school, but about building a life full of curiosity, creativity, and meaning? In this inspiring episode, Curtis reconnects with his high school best friend, Matt Rauscher, for a deep, wide-ranging conversation about what it means to sta ... Show More
31m 33s
Feb 2025
SLP 456: Riding the Waves with Kimberley Jane
‘One thing I did learn from my counsellor is try not to look too far ahead, like have goals for sure, definitely have a vision and a goal but know that that vision and goal may not turn into what you think because your path might be set in a different direction where you go… ‘Wha ... Show More
53m 52s
Jul 28
SLP 500: The Universe Always Has A Plan with Tayla Morrison
‘I mean it’s awful to have to go through them, but if I hadn’t gone through any of them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. So, as painful as it is, you can’t have light without the dark, a rainbow without the rain, you just know you the more you avoid the dichotomies the more ... Show More
1h 12m
Jul 2024
Iryna Bazik
Master of Philology, lover of board games, and Odesa native Iryna Bazik kindly joins me to talk about her journey to becoming a Ukrainian and English teacher, fluent Mandarin speaker, and online content creator. Ira teaches us some Odesa slang, pushes back on Surzhyk haters, reve ... Show More
51m 39s
Aug 2020
5 Fun Ideas To Help You Get More Speaking Practice in Another Language
It's time for a listener question, this time from super-busy mum Jo-Anne, who needed new inspiration for speaking practice in another language. In the episode you'll learn about Taking a drop-in class Joining a Speak Easy session Chatting to your digital voice assistant S ... Show More
33m 6s
May 2021
Jackie Aina
From the beginning of her YouTube journey to becoming a successful brand owner, Jackie Aina shares the truth about her incredible success story. We talked about the challenges of entrepreneurship, launching her brand @forvrmood during the pandemic! The astonishing role she plays ... Show More
56m 36s
Jul 30
?️Speak English Confidently at Work in 90 Days: A Proven Fluency Program for Global Professionals to Succeed in Meetings, Presentations & Real Conversations
In this powerful solo episode, Teacher Curtis Davies, confidence coach, pronunciation specialist, and communication expert, shares how global professionals can finally speak clearly and confidently at work in just 90 days. If you're tired of missing opportunities, avoiding conver ... Show More
5m 46s
Dec 2024
#420 How I Achieved My Dream of Living in the U.S. as an English Learner —How I Went, Where, and My #1 Tip for You
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, I sit down with my co-host to ask him all about his unforgettable journey as a work-and-travel exchange student in the U.S. Hear all about his time working at a ski resort, the culture shocks he fa ... Show More
32m 13s
Mar 2022
A Dancers Mindset - Ep.14 From Ballet to Boss!
Hello everyone,  Today we will be talking with one of my favourite people Alexandra McMaster. Alex, after having a great career in the ballet industry has made the brave decision to do something else with her life now and I couldn't be happier for her. Doing something different t ... Show More
26m 42s