Daliborka’s Soul Story: From Corporate Routine To Soulful Freedom

When I first met Daliborka at the farmers market at my children’s school in Ubud, Bali, I sensed an undeniable presence about her—a quiet strength that radiated from within. Her piercing brown eyes, unflinchingly meeting mine, hinted at depths of wisdom gained through experience. Five days later, I found myself sitting in her serene bamboo home in a small eco-village in Pejeng, ready to hear her story. What unfolded was a tale of resilience, transformation, and trust in the unknown.

Daliborka’s journey led her from a stable life as a technical writer in Switzerland to answering her soul’s call as a yoga teacher, transformational & spiritual coach, and energy healer in Bali. This is her story—a story of daring to leave convention behind and choosing a life of meaning.

A Childhood Interrupted by War

Daliborka’s early years were filled with love and security, growing up as the youngest of three siblings in former Yugoslavia. But at 17, her life was irrevocably changed when war broke out. With her family scattered—her mother and sister in Switzerland, her brother in the military, and her father staying behind—Daliborka was urged to seek safety in Germany with her uncle.

Arriving in a foreign country without knowing the language, she faced a daunting new reality. Yet, she was determined. Immersing herself in intensive German classes and taking a job at an Italian restaurant, she slowly adapted to her new surroundings. But the disconnection from her roots and the weight of being uprooted left a mark.
Without the support of her parents and siblings nearby, Daliborka always felt like a solo warrior in life, and got used to navigating challenges alone.

Searching for Purpose

Daliborka pursued an education in Germany, earning a degree in technical writing and embarking on a corporate career. She worked for pharmaceutical companies, writing manuals for complex machinery and devices. On paper, she was successful, but inside, she felt adrift. She often found herself dreaming of life in a warm climate, somewhere sunny and light. 

“I was following the path I thought I was supposed to, but deep down, I knew this wasn’t my life,” she shares. Despite excelling in her roles, the work left her drained and unfulfilled. The disconnect between her daily reality and her soul’s calling grew unbearable, manifesting as depression. She found herself questioning everything, spending long hours in solitude, searching for answers.

The Turning Point: Discovering Yoga

At 35, Daliborka stepped into a yoga studio in Switzerland, seeking physical relief but finding so much more. The practice began as a way to cope, but it quickly became a spiritual awakening. When her studio offered a retreat in Italy, she felt an undeniable pull to go.

“That retreat changed everything,” she smiles. Over the course of a week, she explored not only yoga but also meditation, chakra work, and the deeper philosophies of the practice. “For the first time in years, I felt a sense of peace and alignment.”

A Heart-Opening Awakening

In 2015, Daliborka experienced what she now calls her “heart awakening.” While at a wellness center, she was overcome with an intense, unconditional love that left her in tears. “It felt like my heart would explode,” she recalls. Strangely enough, the experience mirrored a chapter she read later that evening in a book called; The Heart of Yoga, giving her words to something she couldn’t describe before.

“That moment changed me completely,” she says. “From then on, I felt this unconditional love within me, and I started to see signs everywhere.” Heart shapes appeared in stones, leaves, and clouds, serving as constant reminders that she was on the right path.

This profound shift mended her perspective and transformed her relationships—particularly with her brother, with whom she had struggled for years. “Forgiveness and compassion became my guiding principles,” she says. “And our bond flourished because of it.”

 Life-Changing Months

In 2017, inspired by a colleague, Daliborka took a bold leap and requested a sabbatical. To her surprise, her boss agreed, and she set off on a five-month journey of discovery. She combined yoga teacher training with exploring new countries and meeting people who had left conventional lives behind to pursue freedom.

“They opened my eyes to a new way of living,” she says. Daliborka never thought it would be possible to spend life traveling the world and doing what she loved most, but yet all these people were doing exactly that.
Returning to her corporate job after the trip only intensified her sense of discontent. “I sat in my office and thought, ‘What am I doing here?’” She could no longer ignore the call to something greater. 
It still took her a while to answer that call though.

A Glimpse of the Future

In 2018, during a trip to Bali, Daliborka attended a breathwork session that blew her mind. She saw a vision of herself in the future: radiant, barefoot, and living somewhere warm. “This is the true Daliborka,” she thought. “I knew I had to find this version of myself.” The vision of this beautiful Soul became a compass, guiding her next steps. “After this experience I felt such trust in life and the connection with the Universe and the Divine.” She finally found the courage to follow her Soul.

Taking the Leap

With renewed trust in herself, Daliborka returned home and began dismantling her old life. She felt incredibly guided and supported during this process. The signs were everywhere. One day she visited a psychic who pulled cards with only hearts on it from her deck. The psychic also told Daliborka she would live in Indonesia, which she found hard to believe at that time.

She sold her belongings and prepared to leave her stable job and comfortable life in Switzerland. “Everyone thought I was crazy,” she laughs. “But I couldn’t ignore the strong feeling in my heart anymore, and I had this certainty in me that I wouldn’t come back.”
Not long after she boarded a plane to Bali. 

Despite challenges—including a severe back injury shortly after arriving in Bali—Daliborka’s faith never wavered. She leaned into her spiritual practices, sought alternative healing, and learned to trust the slow, organic process of recovery. “It was as if life was teaching me to surrender and trust my own healing powers,” she reflects.
Because of the injury she stayed in Bali instead of traveling around as planned, feeling more and more rooted in this beautiful island. It started to look like the psychic who predicted she would live in Indonesia was right.

Living Her Soul’s Calling

Today, Daliborka lives the life she once dreamed of. In Bali, she teaches yoga and meditation, offers transformational and spiritual coaching, and works as an energy healer. She’s a part of a thriving spiritual community and is involved in the opening of a yoga school in Ubud, where she helps guide others on their paths.

Her mornings are sacred, filled with affirmations, yoga, and meditation. She spends time in nature, and surrounds herself with people who elevate her. “I’ve learned to choose love over fear,” she says, “and to train my mind to stay positive, even when things get tough.”

“I’ve realized that everything I need is already within me,” she says. “Everything that happened to me, from the heart awakening to the breath work experience, came from myself.” That’s when Daliborka realized that all the wisdom we need is inside of us, like an inner guru we can tune into for guidance. “There are no boundaries, really everything is possible.”

She credits every hardship in her life as a catalyst for growth. “Each challenge taught me something essential about myself and my path,” she reflects. “It’s all part of the journey. Daliborka emphasizes that every outcome or circumstance can be turned into a gift and opportunity.

Daliborka’s Message for You

“Believe in the possibilities within you,” she urges. “Your soul knows the way. Trust it, even when the path feels uncertain. Everything you need is already inside of you.”

Daliborka’s story is a reminder of the profound joy that comes from living a soul-led life. It’s a testament to the power of following your intuition, embracing the unknown, and trusting that the universe always has your back.