Elisa de Soto | EEC Alumni Protagonist | September 2026

I would describe myself as an empathetic, approachable, sensitive, thorough and humane person.

How did you get into coaching in general? And how did you get into EEC in particular?

I discovered coaching as a talent management technique while developing an internal coaching process, and I came to the EEC as a student of various training courses delivered at my previous job.

What is your passion?

My passion is beauty. I really enjoy being in touch with beauty: a walk in nature, observing a work of art, a good conversation, listening to a good song, watching a good film.

How do you charge your batteries? What gives you energy?

Being in touch with my passions and I also love doing sports: capoeira, surfing, dance... They give me a lot of energy.

What takes it away from you? How do you deal with it?

Injustices, manipulative people and a lack of rigor drain my energy. I've developed a sixth sense for spotting that type of person and I avoid contact with them as much as possible.

What news would you like to hear?

May the pain and suffering of people come to an end.

Complete the sentence: Through coaching I learned...

To get to know myself better, to be more in touch with myself and to prioritise myself.

Which of the coaching distinctions do you choose? Why and what for?

I would keep many distinctions. If I have to choose one, I choose the «Declaration of NO», because by saying no to things that do not interest me or that I cannot do, I am valuing myself.

What impact has what you have learned in coaching had on your personal and professional life?

Coaching has taught me to become aware of different situations in my life that were harming me and to make my own decisions.

How and with whom do you currently apply coaching?

I currently do coaching sessions with people who are experiencing work-related stress and I also run stress management and resilience workshops in companies.

What would you say to someone considering training in coaching?

Go without fear and with a desire to learn and discover new things.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Leaving a job I had been at for nearly twenty years.

What is your biggest challenge?

Overcoming adversity and learning from mistakes.

What mistake have you learned the most from?

For disregarding me, for not listening to me and for thinking that others were going to «save» me.

Complete the sentence: I would like to...

That we listened to each other and that we empathised with one another.

Complete the sentence: I never thought that...

She was a Distinguished Alumni of the EEC.

What is success for you?

Success for me is being happy and content with oneself.