What is the best thing that I love about my work? I am a five projects person. I am a life Coach, leader of self-knowledge and acting seminar “I encounter the hero”. I get started by “knowing my self”, next a radio producer, then an audiobooks narrator and finally an actress. So the things that I love about my work are the unexplored parts of human soul and being a fellow traveler on the journey of personal growth and development, the music, the creativity and the art to give structure to the fantasy. The common element in all these things is the chance that I have to communicate with people. The chance to share our thoughts, our emotions, our experience, and ourselves with each other.

What is my idea of happiness? The constant contact with my soul and not forgetting my personal truth. To be in contact with the creative part of myself. When Ι remember that I am part of the whole universe and feel united with everyone and everything.

What is my greatest fear? To be a slave to my fears.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? In the past, I used to deplore some of my traits all the time. But lately, I understood that we need to see ourselves with sympathy and love ourselves unconditionally. That helps us to stop criticizing ourselves so harshly and to make the changes that we want more quickly.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? I admire the people, regardless of their profession, who never stop reinventing themselves. Those who commit themselves to what they choose to follow as a profession. Those who have passion about their profession and want to get better and better not only for themselves but also for the people that they serve.

What is my greatest extravagance? I don’t have something as an extreme extravagance. I’m pretty balanced, but if I had the freedom to go to my extremes, I would choose to spend every penny of my money on a never-ending journey!

On what occasion would I lie? To save someone’s life. What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? In the beginning, as Life Coach, there was something that I didn’t dislike, but it caused me a lot of stress and made me feel frustrated that I might have done something wrong. When I saw a client stuck in their dysfunctional beliefs about themselves and couldn’t progress. After a while I learned that every single person has their own time to make the shift; and my obligation is just to stay by their side, all this time supporting them and giving them all the devotion and experience that I have. Nevertheless, I still feel a huge responsibility for my clients.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I am the happiest in my work, every time I see my life coaching clients starting to feel more happy, calm and satisfied in their lives and believing much more than ever in themselves.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I change all the time. I’m not the same person I was five or ten years ago.

What is my greatest achievement in work? I just enjoy and feel content with the fact that I can balance different projects with devotion, commitment, passion and sincerity. And I am grateful that people accept me in all my different identities as a professional.

Where would I most like to live? I would like to live in Paris. This city has something very attractive to me.

What is my most treasured possession? My relationship with some of my friends. It is sincere, hearty, full of caring and genuine interest.

What is my most marked characteristic? My commitment to my work, my loving people, and my self-evolution in becoming better for me and all the others.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Every viewpoint where you can have an unlimited view of the Parthenon of Acropolis. I also had an extraordinary experience when I visit the Columns of Olympian Zeus. In all my life I felt something very spiritual and mysterious in the atmosphere, something that I can’t explain with words.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? In summer it is the restaurant of the Acropolis Museum. It has excellent food and a great view. In Winter it is the “Winners Vegan” restaurant in Athens.

What books influenced my life and how? There are a couple of books that influenced my life. “The art of loving” by Erich Fromm. It taught me that real love takes practice, focusing and understanding and goes together with maturity, self-knowledge and courage. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl. A book about survival and especially about the inner strength that comes from having some meaning in the life of a trying person. It makes me believe that I have the strength to go beyond external situations.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Dmitri Shostakovich – Waltz No. 2……..and the purring of (my) cat.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Scarlet O’ Hara from “Gone with the wind”.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? All the people who went against their fates, their origin, their physical or mental issues and had to make something bigger that inspired all of us. Those who never gave up!

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? “Life of Pi”. A metaphoric movie with questions of meaning and faith.

What role play stories in my life and work? I am in contact with many different stories all the time. First of all, with the beautiful personal stories that my clients tell me in our sessions, with the stories from the audiobooks that I am reading as narrator, with the stories from the songs that I choose for my playlist at my radio show, with stories from theatrical plays. Stories are an integral part of my life.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me? I believe that not only am I the storyteller of my own life, but I am also the whole creator. And my life has the color that I give it and reflects my thoughts, my emotions and my beliefs. So nobody should give their lives over to fate. And everyone has to believe in their internal creative power. Most of the time, we are not victims of our external situations.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My father.

Which people or companies would I like to work with? Not anyone in particular. But I like to work with all those whom are passionate about their work, those whom have integrity, morality and good intentions.

What project am I looking forward to work on? New seminars about self-knowledge and acting, better than previous ones with fresh ideas.

Where can you see me or my work?

At greek audiobooks platform jukebooks.gr on this link: https://jukebooks.gr/audiobooks/syggrafeis-afigites/128/eirhnh_mpalta

At youtube in several series.

On social media at : https://www.instagram.com/irini_balta/ https://www.facebook.com/irini.baltab/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/irini-balta-40186449/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I believe that you are a special person and that you have so many significant things to offer to others. Discover your own purpose and meaning of life and cultivate your passion in this direction. After that, your life will never be boring, tiring or meaningless.

How can you contact me?

Via my email: irinibalta@yahoo.gr

Via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irini_balta/

Via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irini-balta-40186449/

Via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irini.baltab/