The Story of Overcoming Adversity to Heal Others – Interview with Elena Karnaukhova
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 31
- 6 min read
Elena is an international speaker, holistic therapist, and founder of the High Vibrations community, supporting people on their path to growth and self-discovery. Having overcome a turbulent childhood, emotional abuse, bullying, migration across several countries, divorces, and countless ups and downs, she now helps others find healing and strength from within. Based in the Netherlands, Elena runs a thriving practice where she combines orthomolecular nutrition, spiritual psychology, and emotional release techniques to guide people back to themselves.
Elena Karnaukhova, Holistic Therapist
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hi, I’m Elena Karnaukhova. I’ve been living in the Netherlands for the past 17 years. Before that, I lived in Kazakhstan (where I was born), Wales, and the Czech Republic. I’ve always felt like I was born in the wrong country with Russian roots, growing up in Kazakhstan was quite difficult. I was raised without my father, had little emotional connection to my mother and brother, and experienced childhood abuse. In my early twenties, I suffered a burnout.
One thing that kept me going through all of this was sport. I was a professional athlete in athletics, and sport taught me one of the most powerful lessons in life: never give up. Even when you fall, you get up and move forward. It gave me resilience and discipline that I still carry with me today.
My interest in nutrition also began during my athletic years. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to fuel my body properly, and by the age of 16, I developed gastritis. That painful experience later became one of the sparks for my deep dive into health and nutrition.
At the age of 30, I took my 5-year-old son and moved to the UK to start a new life. Although I had a Bachelor's in Biology, finding a job in my field was tough, so I did what I could to support us. A few years later, I met a Dutch man and moved to the Netherlands, where I completed a Master’s in Health Sciences (Nutrition & Metabolism). Still, I couldn’t find the kind of work I was looking for, and after the birth of my daughter, I went through a second burnout.
That’s when I turned to the holistic path. I studied orthomolecular therapy, energy therapy, aromatherapy, spiritual psychology, and more. For the past 13 years, I’ve been practicing as a nutritionist, and in recent years, my work has focused more and more on emotional and trauma healing.
When my daughter started having panic attacks at age 10, I felt helpless. Conventional medicine didn’t help, and we went from one therapist to another. That journey led us both to deep healing. It helped her, but it transformed me even more. I finally began releasing old traumas, processing a painful divorce, and reconnecting with my true self, someone who is open, kind, generous, and funny. It’s a beautiful feeling, and I wish for everyone to experience this kind of self-discovery!
I love dancing, I take salsa and bachata classes, and I often host friends at home for shared meals and laughter. I adore animals: we had a husky for many years, and now we have a playful kitten that brings so much joy (and chaos!) into our home. Gardening has always been a passion, and although I now live in a house with a small garden, I joined a local eco-farm community where I help with weeding and in return receive fresh organic vegetables. It’s a win-win, I’m outside in nature and supporting a beautiful cause.
What inspired you to start your natural medicine practice, and how did you get started?
My passion for helping people become truly healthy is what started it all. I initially focused on weight loss, but I quickly realized that “eat less, move more” doesn’t work for everyone. I became more curious about the root causes behind the symptoms. Over time, I came to understand that health is a whole-body experience, and mind, emotions, and physical well-being are deeply connected. Today, I don’t treat symptoms. I help people uncover the underlying emotional or energetic blocks behind their issues and guide them through healing from the inside out.
Can you describe the most common health concerns your clients come to you with?
Most of my clients struggle with digestive issues, fatigue, skin problems, anxiety, or hormonal imbalances. But what I’ve learned is that everything is connected. For instance, feeding sugar to bad gut bacteria can lead not only to bloating but also to brain fog, skin rashes, mood swings, or even depression. Even clients who don’t have obvious gut problems often have gut-related imbalances that show up in other ways. We always look deeper.
What sets your practice apart from other natural medicine providers in the area?
I believe the most powerful tool I have is my ability to listen not just with my ears, but with my heart. I truly feel people, and that creates a strong connection and safe space for healing. Clients often tell me they’ve never opened up so quickly before. That trust allows us to get to the root of the problem much faster and begin real healing.
Can you share a success story where your natural medicine treatments made a significant impact on a client’s health
I once worked with a 45-year-old woman who was deeply struggling emotionally. She cried often, felt completely overwhelmed, and couldn’t control her emotions anymore. Her hormones were fluctuating, she was unhappy in her high-paying job as an attorney, and she had no energy left to care for her child. Even the smallest daily tasks felt like mountains.
Together, we took things step by step. We started by improving her diet and sleep, then worked on gently balancing her hormones. But most importantly, she learned how to love and accept herself. She began meditating, doing light exercise to clear her mind, and listening to her body’s signals instead of pushing through.
It wasn’t an easy journey, real healing never is, but she made it through. A few months later, she sent me a heartfelt letter saying that she would never have been able to do it without my help. That letter meant the world to me. Moments like that are the greatest reward any therapist can receive.
How do you stay informed about new developments and trends in natural medicine?
In the Netherlands, we’re required to continue our education with regular training and courses, which I truly enjoy. I also love to research on my own. I read constantly, follow international developments, and stay curious. I’m naturally someone who loves to explore, question, and dig deeper.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
Honestly, every time I help someone heal, it feels like a big achievement. I once worked with a man who had severe skin issues, wounds, and inflammation, and we tried everything from detoxing to gut support. Eventually, we uncovered a deep emotional wound: guilt and self-blame for his divorce 20 years ago. Once we worked through the emotional layer, his skin began to heal rapidly. Stories like this are why I do what I do.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
Absolutely, my daughter's panic attacks were a turning point. They opened the door to emotional and trauma healing, both for her and for me. On top of that, her father’s betrayal was deeply painful. I had to let go of everything and move to a new home with my daughter. But that breakdown became a breakthrough. I worked on myself deeply, healed old wounds, and found incredible people and teachers along the way. Now, I’m stronger, more grounded, and more joyful than I’ve ever been.
You don’t have to die physically to be reborn; you can transform your life from the inside out. And it’s the most freeing, beautiful feeling there is.
What am I proud of from the past year?
One thing that really stands out is a beautiful community project that grew out of a conversation with one of my clients. He shared that he longed to be part of a spiritual group, a space to connect with like-minded people. That really touched me.
So, together with a dear friend, we started a group called High Vibrations. We gather regularly to guide people through deep transformational meditations and teach techniques to release stuck emotions like guilt, fear, jealousy, or the inability to forgive. We dance, sing, share meals, and have honest conversations about life. It’s powerful and healing, not just for the participants, but for us as well.
We’ve also brought our workshops into elderly homes, helping people at the later stages of life find peace and emotional release. And now, a new project is in the works: supporting international students and connecting them with a group of people who bring life experience, wisdom, and emotional support.
Another thing I’m really proud of is the retreats we organize in Europe. Last year, we hosted retreats in France and Belgium, and they were incredibly transformative for everyone involved. This September, we’ll be back in Belgium for our next one. These retreats offer people a chance to disconnect from daily life, dive deep into healing work, and reconnect with themselves and with nature.
It feels amazing to create spaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported. I’m truly proud of how far this vision has come.
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