At 18, I was terrified of insects—so terrified that even the sight of an ant could send me running. But one day, in my aunt’s house in Lebanon, I found myself face-to-face with a scorpion, and in an ironic twist of fate, it wasn’t the scorpion that needed saving—it was my fear that had to die. Thanks to a life coach, who used hypnosis to transform my terror into triumph, I went from cringing at creepy crawlies to courageously killing a scorpion. Yes, you read that right—a scorpion. That single moment of fearless glory didn’t just squash my phobia; it opened my eyes to the power of coaching.

My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, a practical choice rather than one driven by passion. However, a deep-seated desire for meaningful work led me to pursue further education. My dedication to personal and professional growth led me to earn ICF certifications, train under renowned coaches, and delve into holistic modalities like NLP and Time Paradigm Practices. Prior to pursuing my Master's degree in Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2022-2024), I obtained my ICF certification in September 2019 and then completed the RSCI course in August 2022. My dissertation, focused on couples in the Arab region, reflected my commitment for helping others navigate life's challenges.

But let’s be real—choosing this path wasn’t all sunshine and scorpions. People doubted me. “Coaching? Like... motivating people to unleash the beast within? Hahaha!” Oh, the irony. Yet, I stuck with it because I knew firsthand what it felt like to shift from darkness to light, from doubt to belief. I wasn’t about to let anyone tell me that people couldn’t change—or that I couldn’t help them.

Today, I stand tall, guiding others to their own breakthroughs, turning fear into fuel and doubt into action. I’m not just a coach; I’m living proof that you can conquer your inner scorpions—and maybe even have a laugh along the way. With Pono By Leen, I’m helping people discover the version of themselves they’ve always wanted to be—and having the time of my life doing it.