ILONA PARUNAKOVA

POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG) INTERVIEW WITH:

ILONA PARUNAKOVA (IP)

PGMAG: Ilona, so good to have you on today’s interview with Lady Anita.

IP: The pleasure is all mine. what a great opportunity for us to ignite one more soul.

PGMAG: Please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

IP: I am a direct descendant of Armenian Genocide Survivors. I was born in USSR Republic of Georgia. I am an International Best Selling Author, B.S. Business Administration M.M. Master of Ministry, Candidate of Doctoral in Christian Counseling and PhD in Christian Philosophy. Administrator and Program Director, Pastor.

I have additionally served in non-profit organization as a liaison, speaker, and as an organizer for fundraisers and other community events. Completed my Bachelor of Science degree in one year on an accelerated program and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. I am an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutritionist and Certified NLP Master Practitioner. I am a winner of People’s Choice Award in a Republic of Georgia Beauty Pageant in 1998. I got chosen as the 2020 Student Speaker for Colorado Technical University Graduation Ceremony for BA and MM. I have earned medals for completing a Marathon and a Triathlon in 2017 and 2018. I am also an International TEDx Speaker.

I have been featured on FOX, NBC, CBS, Influencive articles.

PGMAG: As a leader, what are some of the keys to building a successful team?

IP: I often quote Michael Jordan who said it beautifully that” talent wins games, but a teamwork and intelligence win championships”. I believe it is important to place everyone to the right sit in the “bus”, evaluate team’s strengths, appreciate their talents, value them as individuals and celebrate accomplishments.

PGMAG: Please tell us more about some of your current projects.

IP: 1. As a direct descendent of survivors from the Ottoman genocide against the Armenian people during WWI, my greatgreat-grandparents were slaughtered before the eyes of my great-grandmother and myself witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and survived wartime in the Republic of Georgia immediately following in 19911993, I desire to share this story of the pain, struggle, and adversities as a fundamentals element for my foundation for forming resiliency. I want to ignite each soul to be kinder to the neighbor, to value life and be grateful for each day. I am working to produce series of videos to empower and uplift each and everyone of us to share joy and hope.

2. I am producing series of books that speaks to the warriors, the survivors, the determined and bankrupt in spirit. I take them through an experience that discovers the power, and what it can lead to. I want this to bring something valuable to them, and I hope it can change their life for the better.

3. Working on expending my you tube channel which is being used to motivate, inspire and empower every soul.

PGMAG: A lot of people struggle with low self-esteem and this has prevented them from living a fulfilled life. What is your message for such individuals?

IP:

As a Third-culture kid, having grown up as half Ukrainian (mother), half –Armenian (father), in the Republic of Georgia I endured ethnic discrimination for much of my life.

I may not look like it to you, but I grew up as a minority who was rejected by her grandparents, mocked by relatives and refused entrance to universities, told by boss she could not get a degree. Use every “no” in your life to ignite and motivate you, to empower and uplift your dreams. Don’t live life as a victim, but rather than a value. You are God’s Masterpiece and you are meant to be different from everyone else. I would ask you not to compare yourself with anyone else, believe in yourself and your abilities. Ignite your dreams of your fairy tales you use to have and find this voice that is inside of you ready to come out and be heard. Do not base your identity or self esteem on someone’s opinion of yourself. Despite all the No’s and rejections in my life, I entered the beauty pageant and won, I found the favor with my grandparents, I got into the university in Europe with full scholarship paid, became a student who finished BA with 4.0 GPA, became a student speaker during the graduation for my BA and MM, and I am a candidate for doctoral who writes books.

It is my desire to take you on a life adventure in search of passion for life and the essence of your identity. You are on a journey of discovering Joy that delivers from devastation of real-life events and provides victory in times of loss and fear. Joy is not the absence of suffering, fear or anxiety. Joy is not an idea; it is not a conviction, nor a persuasion or a decision; but it is the presence of divine assurance and extraordinary strength that everyone deserves to experience.

Life is an adventure, when some doors closes in front of you, remind yourself that there are better doors for you to enter- doors of endless opportunities and dreams. Tell yourself “I am a Masterpiece. I am meant to be born. I am special. I like who I am.”

PGMAG: The pandemic has drastically changed so many things in our society; and a lot of work is required to make living more exciting again. As an active supporter of community development, what are some of the measures needed to be put in place in order to help more families?

IP: Friedrich Nietzsche perfectly said that “and those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music” This is the year of resilience where we have shifted our minds, perspectives and habits. We have learned to do things that could have perceived insane to us in the past. We are learning to hear more music and learn to dance to the new melody in our lives. First thing we need to do is to provide an open and honest conversation: people need to be heard, they are finding the ways to connect, opportunities to heal and be healed. Door are opening to new dreams and to new strengths- more visions to enter. I believe no matter how much the world changes; we need to continue with the most inspiring message to humanity right now. We need to tell them not to lose its values God that had given to them.

PGMAG: What are the top three books that changed your life?

IP: 1. Bible. 2. 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice by Mark Virkler 3. Suren Ayvazyan “Fate of Armenians”

PGMAG: If you knew what you know now what would you do differently?

IP: 1. Sleep more when I was a teenager. 2. Best friends can betray you 3. Mind your business, live the life that you want to live. 4. You are not responsible for what others do, think or say.

PGMAG: Finally, what would you say to your younger self?

IP:

Don’t rush life. Appreciate and value the time you have now and make the best of it. Do not do anything to prove to anyone or anything about your worth and values. Learn to appreciate who you are. Like who you are. Don’t let smallest thing to stress you out. Smile a lot and never stop dreaming and do not give your power to no one, and don’t let anyone to take away your Joy!

PGMAG: Thank you for this opportunity to learn more about your work and how you positively affect lives.

IP: I am truly blessed being part of this amazing journey, and thank you for this opportunity you have kindly provided to me to share my story.

PGMAG: Please share your links with us.

IP: www.IPResilience.com IG IP Resilience Youtube Channel IP Resilience