Interview with Irene Viglia Atton - Cover Story September 2025

Hello Irene, and welcome to The Relatable Voice Magazine! Can you tell us where you're from and what you like to do in your spare time?

I am originally from Italy, where I was born and where my roots are. I left Italy in 1999 to reside in the UK. There has been a lot of travel in the last 25 years as my work expanded internationally.

Often, I visit my origins in Italy for both work and pleasure. Lucia, it was a pleasure to meet you in the little village of Muriaglio in Italy, where my father's family is from and where we have a family home. My husband and I go there to restore our batteries and connect with the hills and the mountains.

I do not have much spare time; however, when possible, I like spending time in nature with friends or by myself. It grounds and regenerates my body and being in a way that supports me to do the work I do.

In the UK, we live in the Chilterns, which is known as an area of natural beauty. It is surrounded by many hills, water meadows, farm estates, and woodlands. So, we have the blessing of enjoying these special places in our free time. We can also easily take the metro into London to see friends for a good old tea time, catch a play at the theatre, or explore something new in the city.

You’ve lived and worked across several continents. How has immersing yourself in so many cultures influenced your perspective on human connection?

Thank you, this is a very interesting question.

Often, we learn ways of life and build connections to others through the culture and society we are born into. Travelling and being part of other societies and cultures has been a great blessing in my life. It has taken me out of the normality of the culture and society I was born into and its limitations.

Inside myself, my way of life had to adjust to embrace different perspectives and people I encountered on my path. Once I became more aware of my inner world, my feelings, and their relationship to my external experience, I was no longer taking everything for granted. My perception of people and the way of connecting with others changed as a result of this new awareness.

My perspective on human connection shifted, and I became more humble. I started seeing through the eyes of kindness, curiosity, and interest in others. Each person that crossed my path became a wonderful teacher of life, whether the experience was uplifting for me or somehow challenging.

I also noticed that friendships or partnerships I formed in societies and cultures outside of what I call my own were stronger, deeper, and filled with more understanding. Human connections became a more enriching experience, containing greater depth and insight than previously known to me.

Can you describe a moment in your travels that deeply shifted the way you approach your work today?

A key moment that made an impact was when I visited India. I remember looking around and suddenly feeling a great sense of having to humble myself. I had a similar feeling when visiting certain areas of South and Central America. In India, I was travelling with all my comforts and securities while witnessing great disparity in society around me.

I remember the feeling: my heart shrunk. I wondered, “How do we go from a beautiful hotel and, around the corner, see such poverty?” Kids in the street were living outside what, for me, was a simple metallic container box, but for them was home, with little or no clothes.

I remember telling myself, “Whenever in the future you start complaining about something, please stop and remember: not everyone has as much as you do, Irene!”

A deep sense of compassion filled my heart—not to be confused with feeling sorry or pity for them. I accepted deeply that I could not change it right then, in that moment, and I could not judge the situation. It gave me a great sense of gratitude for what I had in my life.

I also had this desire: “I hope they will have more one day, if that is what they wish.”

I facilitated a seminar in India about the heart. Meditating from the heart has had a major impact on my life. During the seminar, we discussed the nature of compassion, and I noticed how people in India seem to be born with this concept in their DNA more than in our Western societies.

We are brought up with a very different idea and image, often based on a materialistic approach to success. Sometimes we go about our lives without really considering how we get there and the impact of our actions.

Compassion and gratitude became the fundamental principles of my life while in India. My work is now infused with a great deal of compassion on a path toward success in life. I don’t feel we can really be successful if we leave this aspect out of the equation.

You often speak about “The Heart” in your services. What does this concept mean to you on a personal level?

It is everything!

The heart, not just as a concept but also as our organ, for me is my compass. The heart knows the truth. There are a few studies now showing that our intuition is rooted in the heart.

You know how we can have all the facts and figures about a certain situation—everything might seem perfect to close a deal or sign a contract—but something deep inside tells you, “No, don’t go ahead with it.” That is the intuition of the heart.

So, for me, that compass has been guiding my life since I was little. I found myself in different situations where my heart—my inner knowing, if we want to call it that—spoke so loudly that I could not disregard it.

I had to make difficult decisions at times that only later made sense. For example, stepping away from certain situations when something didn’t feel right, even if all the facts and figures pointed to perfection. Later, I would receive feedback that confirmed my decision had been the right one. So, I am grateful I always had the courage to follow my inner compass.

The heart does not let me down. It is my source of guidance and evolution.

Many leaders struggle with vulnerability. How do you guide someone to embrace it without feeling exposed or weak?

You see, I feel there is a basic misconception about emotions.

Vulnerability is often seen as a problem. How many times have we heard: “You cannot be vulnerable to be successful, you must stay strong, you cannot show your feelings…” I think we’ve all heard it.

I personally feel vulnerability is as natural as any state of being, as long as we learn to deal with it and find a space of resolution and composure. Everyone goes through vulnerability at some point. Life happens, and each day can be different.

The point is not to suppress the emotion or try to forget it, but to face it, get to the bottom of it, and find a new way to approach life. It takes courage to face one’s emotions, but it will always be a hundred times better than pretending and carrying on—eventually blowing up into something unpleasant.

I guide my clients to become fully in control of their inner emotional state, to become emotionally intelligent. There are practices I teach in my one-to-one sessions and in my classes that allow clients to literally ‘take the bull by the horns’ and face vulnerability.

It then transforms into a calm and peaceful inner state. They can apply these practices in their daily life to support their success.

The point is, we always have a choice. We can do something about it. We do not need to stay in a space of stress that eventually affects our mind, body, and life. The way I see it, we are responsible for our own inner state of being.

Your Dream and Imagery work is rooted in an ancient lineage. How do you adapt these age-old practices to resonate with modern-day clients?

The practice of imagery and dreaming is deeply rooted in the body and the subconscious. As it was in the past, so it is today: we all live in a human form, our physical body. This is where we make our inner transformations. Life can only change by starting with the body.

The key is for a client to be willing to look inside. I cannot support anyone in becoming a stronger leader of their own life unless they are willing to see what the shape and form within the body are telling them.

The client is guided to use imagination—the language of the body—to access a deeper level of self. Think about this: many people use imagination all the time to visualize something they wish to achieve. People dream all the time, but they often don’t know how to harness that power and work with dreams to improve their life and leadership ability.

My services support clients in accessing the language of imagination and dreaming in a conscious way, with an understanding of what happens when they engage with that inner language.

It is an inner exploration that, from my perspective and guidance, is done with courage and humility.

In your view, what is one misconception people have about personal transformation that you wish you could dispel?

Sometimes I hear people saying, “Oh, I took that course” or “I did that training, and I know it all.”

Inner development and transformation is an evolution that requires patience and kindness. We cannot think we can transform everything overnight.

Certain dynamics in life can shift quickly, but others that are more deeply embedded may take longer and require consistency in practice so that a new inner baseline can be established. A new pattern can sometimes take longer to take root within the self.

It is like learning a new language or learning to drive—it does not happen in a day. Personal transformation requires practice, patience, and motivation. We must also be very kind to ourselves in the process. Then, thanks to our practice, we can be taken to a very powerful place of success and joy.

What inspired you to transition from a career in international business development to coaching and mentoring?

Somehow, I feel I never really transitioned in the conventional sense. It has been more of an evolution of myself and my work.

It started back in 2009, when I was working as a business development manager for publishing companies. I appreciated the work I was given in the commercial department and realized I had a strength in sales. My personality, together with my eagerness to expand and grow, always pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I wanted to be good at what I was doing and test my abilities, developing my skills to their full potential. I put in the hard work, traveled to distant lands to meet clients, and cultivated positive professional relationships.

In 2009, the world was under economic pressure. The company I worked for was laying off many people. Luckily, my position was never at risk—in fact, the company wanted me to stay.

However, something ‘within my chest’ did not feel right. I witnessed people being let go from the organization after many years of service, in ways that felt very harsh, showing a lack of humanity. We understand that businesses must make decisions to reduce costs and move forward during economic fluctuations. However, I felt something was missing—a more humanitarian aspect of business relationships that I envisioned but did not see.

So I left.

For six months, I lived in Peru in the Sacred Valley, where I connected more with nature, the Andes, and the local people—both native (Quechua) and non-native residents. Somehow, that transition helped me embrace a more humanitarian part of myself, which over time I learned to call The Heart.

From there, I chose to study coaching. This led to collaborations with organizations in the USA, helping me bring my message and service to others around the world.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your work as a coach and mentor?

As I see my clients transitioning and transforming their lives with heart, I feel content knowing I am contributing to a better world. Knowing that their personal lives, careers, and relationships are improving also allows me to witness my own evolution and growth.

I am not the same person I was 15 years ago, and if my shift can help others, by all means, this is the greatest satisfaction in life I can have.

What qualities do you believe are crucial for someone to become a successful leader today?

For me, a true leader needs to have humanity. He or she must be in touch with their emotions. There is nothing wrong with emotions. Unfortunately, we are often not taught about emotional intelligence when we are young, let alone trained to work with it properly. Emotions are essential to life. Not recognizing emotions is like not recognizing we have eyes, hands, or ears.

Mastering emotions is a major quality that can make us stronger and more reliable when leading others. A true leader must be strong and sharp in making fast decisions, while also being capable of assessing situations with compassion. Every person we encounter has a personal story we may not know. Using heart when dealing with people is essential for developing healthy relationships and earning trust.

Another essential quality is clear communication beyond fear of judgment. Speaking one’s truth in a kind and truthful way is powerful. People might not always like it, but if done with integrity and respect, it can lead to great transformations.

What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning their personal or professional development journey?

Be patient, be kind, be humble.

Life is a journey, and each day offers opportunities to change if we wish. Transformation is not a sprint. Until the very last day, we will have something to learn and transform, and the way we approach it is key.

I believe that no matter what we do, we must hold joy within ourselves—or at least move in a way that allows us to feel content with our decisions. Tools are always available to support our journey. We can tap into practices that nurture the mind, emotions, and physical health, moving forward with stability and trust.

Finally, how do you stay updated on the latest techniques in HeartMath® and Imagery work to keep evolving and growing in your practice?

If anyone is interested in my work, they can reach me via my website: www.ireneviglia.com. People can also join my classes or schedule private sessions.

Thank you, Lucia, for allowing me the opportunity to speak about myself, my life, and my work.

Irene Viglia Atton is a public speaker, teacher of imagination/Dreams & creator of her method on Leading with Heart. Her background is in international business, teaching and transformational mentoring. Over the course of her career, Irene has successfully assisted individuals transform & transition through a variety of challenges, including in relationships, health, jobs, organizations and spiritual growth.  

She has been facilitating courses and workshops in different countries for the past 15 years. Her work has brought guidance, clarity, empowerment and healing to those Irene has been in service to. 

Irene's approach is dynamic, revelatory and precise. Each one to one session is person centered, tailored to meet the needs of the individual. She uses the work to strengthen health, improve decision making ability, boost confidence, reduce stress, increase focus and enhance overall self-awareness.

Irene has been closely collaborating with the HeartMath® Institute and the Global Coherence Initiative™. The essence of her work is the Power of the Heart. Her approach brings clients to access their wisdom and to lead from this space of inborn intuition as the Inner-Leader.

Website: https://www.ireneviglia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenevigliaatton/

Cover story published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - September 2025. Downolad the full magazine for free at https://www.relatable-media.com/the-relatable-voice-magazine