We were lucky to catch up with Cecily Elmas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cecily, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I didn’t find my purpose all at once—it unfolded over time, through moments of discovery, redirection, and deep connection.
As a child, dance was my greatest source of freedom and joy. I dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, and for years, that dream guided me. In grade 12, everything shifted. I quit ballet, lost my way, and questioned what was next. Then, my mother introduced me to modern dance, and it felt like a revelation—dancing to drums instead of a piano, moving freely without rigid rules, and expressing myself in a whole new way. I felt like I had found myself again. I went on to dance professionally for five years, feeling deeply fulfilled.
Purpose isn’t a fixed destination—it evolves with us. My next turning point came unexpectedly through a part-time summer job at Lululemon in Ottawa, Ontario. In the early days of the company, I was quickly given the title of “goal coach,” spending my time connecting with people over coffee and supporting them in setting and pursuing their personal life goals.
That summer job turned into a 15-year career that took me across Canada and the U.S., where I led teams, developed leaders, and facilitated countless workshops. I was on the path of leadership, training, and people development—work that sparked deep personal growth and helped shape the coach and facilitator I am today.
One of my proudest contributions was co-designing and leading a retreat called Purpose & Practice—an immersive experience for hundreds of people to connect with their purpose, create meaningful habits, and step into a more fulfilled life. I often heard participants reflect back to me, “You are living your purpose,” and that affirmation gave me the courage to explore the quiet but persistent question within: What else is out there?
I stepped away from the corporate world to serve people beyond the walls of a single organization and launched my own business—originally called Be Guided, now Cecily Elmas Coaching & Consulting. This marked the beginning of a deep dive into the world of coaching. I became a certified coach and recently completed a Master’s in Executive and Organizational Coaching.
Coaching brings together everything I care about most: meaningful conversations, supporting people through challenges, and helping them design lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and choice. Along the way, I served as President of the International Coaching Federation Vancouver Chapter for two years, further expanding my impact in the coaching community and deepening my commitment to the profession.
So, how do I find my purpose? I follow what lights me up. I stay open to change, embrace uncertainty, and trust that each experience is leading me somewhere meaningful. Purpose, for me, isn’t one thing—it’s the alignment of passion, presence, and impact.
Today, my purpose shows up in many forms: being available to coach incredible clients, running hOMe Yoga North Van, and volunteering to support women on their journeys—whether it’s offering pop-up coaching at the Women in Tech conference, leading workshops, or facilitating sessions with Dress for Success. I continue to seek out ways to create meaningful spaces where people can thrive and find their version of purpose.
Sometimes my purpose also looks like being a mom to two amazing teenagers, and a doodle, a partner to Peter, and an engaged contributor to my community.
I’ve learned that purpose isn’t something we find—it’s something we create, moment by moment, choice by choice, by fully showing up for the life in front of us.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My Work & Passion
My professional focus is my coaching and consulting business, where I support individuals and organizations in achieving their goals with clarity, confidence, and purpose. I recently completed my final project for my Master’s in Executive and Organizational Coaching at Royal Roads University. This project reflects my deep passion for movement, somatic coaching, and business, integrating these elements to help clients tap into their full potential.
Right now, I’m focused on helping clients define the goals they’re passionate about, create the success they seek, and build trusting, transformational coaching relationships. I’m also expanding my consulting business, with a vision of growing a strong team that brings meaningful impact to leadership development and organizational growth.
Some of my current work includes:
Facilitating Communication and Leadership workshops to help teams grow their impact, connection, and alignment.
Facilitating Facilitator Masterclasses to support leaders and teams in building confidence and skill in leading others.
1:1 coaching programs for clients across industries including tech, retail, energy, academia, and the public and corporate sectors.
Running a Group Coaching Cohort, a supportive and structured space for leaders and professionals to grow.
Volunteering with Dress for Success to lead coaching sessions and workshops, supporting women as they navigate transitions and build confidence.
Beyond coaching and consulting, I also teach yoga. My husband and I run a home yoga studio, hOMe Yoga North Van, where we hold public classes and workshops to help people reconnect with themselves through movement and breath. You can check it out here: www.homeyoganorthvan.ca
At the heart of all my work—whether coaching, consulting, or yoga—is a deep commitment to transformation, connection, and growth. I believe in creating spaces where people can show up fully, explore new possibilities, and step into their most fulfilling lives.
Would love to connect with anyone looking to grow—whether individually or as a team!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three Key Qualities That Shaped My Journey
Looking back, there are three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey:
1) Adaptability & Openness to Change
Early on, I thought my path was set—I was a dancer, and that was my world. When life pushed me to reconsider, I embraced change and discovered new passions. From dance to leadership development at lululemon, to coaching and consulting, each shift required trusting the unknown and allowing new opportunities to unfold.
Advice: Stay curious. Your first passion might not be your last, and that’s okay. Say yes to opportunities that feel exciting, even if they don’t fit your initial plan. Every experience adds to your growth.
2) The Power of Deep Listening & Connection
Whether leading teams, coaching clients, or facilitating workshops, I’ve learned that real impact comes from truly seeing and hearing people. Creating spaces of trust where people feel safe to explore their thoughts and goals has been foundational to my work.
Advice: Practice active listening—not just hearing words, truly understanding the emotions, intentions, and needs behind them. Ask thoughtful questions, pause before responding, and seek to truly connect. This skill will serve you in every career and relationship.
3) A Growth Mindset & Continuous Learning
Every stage of my journey has been fueled by a commitment to learning—from professional development at lululemon to becoming a Certified Coach, earning a Master’s degree in Executive Coaching, doing my 400 Yoga Teacher Training and continuously evolving my skills. The more I invest in growth, the more I’m able to help others do the same.
Advice: Never stop learning. Whether through books, courses, mentorship, or simply asking great questions, stay committed to evolving. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.
Final Thought
If you’re early in your journey, trust that every step is part of your path. Stay open, listen deeply, and keep growing—your purpose will unfold in ways you never expected.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The Master’s course has been a huge area of growth for me. It has really helped me upskill my confidence in everything I do. It’s allowed me to overcome the “I hope people like my work” syndrome, which used to hold me back, whether I’m teaching yoga or leading workshops. Now, I trust that people will get what they need from me and feel empowered to ask questions as we are all responsible for our own growth.
Another area of growth I want to highlight is my financial literacy. A couple of years ago, I had a coaching client ask me to help them with their finances, and that conversation sparked a change in me. I dove deep into financial books, listened to podcasts, and went from living in debt to having emergency savings and investments. Learning to live within our means has been a game-changer for my family and me. I’m grateful for this financial literacy upgrade, and I hope to one day support others in their own financial journeys.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cecilyelmas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecilyelmas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecily-elmas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3p6275PdrsHqmot-v8ozDA
Image Credits
Ben Owens Photography: https://www.benowensphotography.com/
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