Meet 40 Over 40 participant, Ilka. Lovely Ilka is an executive life coach with a deep passion for helping people navigate change and reconnect with their sense of purpose. But she comes from a great and log background in corporate where she has always been helping and nurturing those around her – executive coaching is less a career for her, and more just her being herself. 

What drew you to this 40 over 40 campaign?

I have recently left a 19 year corporate career and am taking a bit of time to recalibrate. It has made me increasingly aware of how many women only find time for this later in life when the demands of children and growing a career are no longer a constant pressure. It struck me that refining your identity is a key aspect of this and an opportunity to do this visually was hugely appealing, both for the images it would capture but more importantly for the experience of creating those images.

If you could go back and tell your 20 year old self something that you think would change your life, what would it be?

Don’t ever lose the energy and passion of your youth. Listen deeply to advice but always calibrate it with your own wisdom. Trust what your gut tells you, its seldom wrong.

Do you have a story / experience you want to share?

A life changing experience in an Albequerque hotel many years ago taught me to never to make assumptions about what another person is experiencing in their life, to never cut yourself off from possible new friendships and to just be kind.

What are some goals or things you still want to do?

Finish my book/s
Finally paint a painting I am proud of
Over and above those there are too many to count

“To be courageous is not necessarily to go anywhere or do anything except to make conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences.” David Whyte

Has there/is there anyone in your life who has made a massive impact, if so, how?

My family have made the largest impact on me.

My mother who taught me I could do anything I put my mind to, she put her mind to multiple things and just did it! My daughter Sam who has shown me that big dreams and adventures are critical! My son Cal who is the kindest person I know and my husband Jay who has kept me laughing and loving for over 30 years.

My friends and family describe me as:

people – centred, caring, fun

Thoughts on aging?

I think about aging as maturing. Somehow it provides you with a greater ability to clear away the messy detail and get to the really important stuff

What do you think some of your best qualities are?

I’m a great listener, connector dreamer and use these to bring people together to achieve great things

What advice do you have for other women 40+ out there?

Let go, let come

What has gotten easier for you since turning 40?

I worry less about the little things, I care less about the little things. It gives me space to think about the big things.

No one wakes up in the morning saying how can I stuff up today

Everyone drives better on the roads when I’m listening to classical music

This campaign is currently sold out.
If it returns later this year, you’ll be the first to hear.

This campaign is currently sold out.
If it returns later this year, you’ll be the first to hear.

Click on images to be taken to their blogs

📍Johannesburg, South Africa 

This campaign is currently sold out.
If it returns later this year, you’ll be the first to hear.

Do Ilka’s 40 over 40 campaign portraits look like something you might want for yourself too?

While this campaign is currently sold out. You are welcome to submit your details below to be added to the waiting list. If it returns later this year, you’ll be the first to hear.

Are you interested in spending a day in studio having your dream portraits created, laughing and celebrating you, then you need to fill out this form!