“Grief isn’t about letting go—it’s about carrying those you’ve lost forward in a way that honors them. The moment I stopped resisting my pain and instead chose to acknowledge and respect my losses, I finally found the freedom to move forward.”

– Alex Hristov

Grief and loss are some of the most difficult challenges a person can face. Whether it’s the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a career, the emotional toll can be overwhelming, often leaving people feeling stuck and uncertain about how to move forward. Alex Hristov knows this struggle intimately. After spending five years bedridden due to an undiagnosed medical condition, he lost not only his health but also his career, marriage, and, most devastatingly, his sister to cancer. Faced with profound grief and isolation, Alex embarked on a personal journey of healing—one that ultimately led him to become a confidence coach dedicated to helping others rebuild their lives after hardship.

In this conversation, Alex shares his powerful insights on navigating grief, overcoming survivor’s guilt, and the transformative approach he developed to move forward while still honoring his losses. Through his deeply personal experiences, he has uncovered practical strategies for healing that don’t rely on “letting go” but instead embrace a mindset of gratitude and resilience. His journey is a testament to the fact that while grief never fully disappears, it can be integrated into our lives in a way that allows us to move forward with strength, confidence, and purpose.


Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?

Absolutely. My name is Alex Hristov, and I’m a confidence coach based in Atlanta, Georgia. My journey to where I am today was anything but conventional. For nearly five years, I was bedridden due to a medical condition that went undiagnosed for almost a decade. It was a physically and emotionally devastating experience. I lost my ability to work as a software engineer, my marriage ended, and I became isolated, living at my parents’ home with little to no social interaction. Then in 2019, I lost my sister to cancer. That loss hit me harder than anything else. The first year after her passing, I cried almost every day. Then, strangely, I just stopped crying. I became emotionally numb. It wasn’t until 2022, when I was finally able to get back on my feet, that I realized how much grief I had suppressed. The world had moved on, but I was stuck in the weight of my losses. That realization set me on a journey to not only heal myself but also help others rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose.

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things we go through in life. How did you begin to process your grief?

At first, I didn’t process it at all. When I started re-entering society, I was hit with overwhelming grief that I had buried for years. Everything around me reminded me of what I had lost—places I used to go, people I once spent time with, even small, seemingly insignificant things would trigger deep sorrow. Initially, I cried multiple times a day. Then, suddenly, I couldn’t cry at all. The emotions were still there, but they felt trapped inside me. That’s when I started looking for ways to reconnect with myself and find an outlet. Yoga ended up playing a significant role in that process. It wasn’t about the physical movements but rather the stillness, the controlled environment, and the opportunity to just be present with myself. It created a space where I could feel without distraction, and that, in turn, helped me begin to process my emotions.

What was the breakthrough moment for you in dealing with grief?

The real breakthrough came when I realized that grief isn’t about letting go—it’s about carrying those you’ve lost forward in a way that honors them. I was stuck because I felt like moving forward meant leaving my sister behind. But when I reframed my grief as an ongoing relationship, one where I could honor and acknowledge my loss, the weight started to lift. That’s when I developed a simple daily practice. Each morning, I would stand still, put my hand over my heart, and mentally turn in the direction of a specific loss—whether it was my sister, my old career, or my marriage. I would take a moment to acknowledge that loss, express gratitude for what it brought to my life, and then continue my day. That practice became a powerful tool in my healing process because it allowed me to integrate loss into my life rather than resist or suppress it.

How did you overcome the guilt that often comes with moving forward after loss?

Survivor’s guilt was one of the hardest parts. I kept asking myself, “Why did I get a second chance when my sister didn’t?” That guilt kept me stuck for a long time. I felt undeserving of a fresh start and would constantly question why I was still here while she wasn’t. What helped me overcome it was recognizing that guilt wasn’t honoring her—it was holding me back. Instead, I focused on gratitude. Every time I felt guilt creeping in, I replaced it with appreciation for the time I had with her and a commitment to living my life in a way that would make her proud. I realized that I was doing a disservice to her memory by holding myself back, so I started shifting my focus from “Why me?” to “How can I honor her?” That shift in perspective was life-changing.

What advice would you give to someone who feels like they will never move past their loss?

I would tell them that I felt the same way. When you’re deep in grief, it feels impossible to imagine a life where you aren’t consumed by it. But healing happens gradually. You don’t wake up one day and suddenly feel better. It happens in small steps—through acknowledging your pain, finding ways to honor your loss, and slowly allowing yourself to embrace life again. The key is to be patient with yourself. There’s no timeline for grief, and everyone moves through it at their own pace. Give yourself permission to grieve, but also give yourself permission to heal. It doesn’t mean you’re forgetting the person or the loss; it just means you’re allowing yourself to live again while carrying their memory with you.

Many people struggle with asking for help when dealing with grief. What advice would you give to someone who feels like they have to handle it alone?

A lot of people think they need to “tough it out” and deal with grief on their own, but real strength comes from knowing when to lean on others. Talking about your loss, whether with a trusted friend, a therapist, or a support group, can make all the difference. Keeping everything bottled up only makes it harder to process. When you talk about your grief, you’re not just sharing your pain—you’re also allowing yourself to heal through connection and support. You don’t have to navigate grief alone, and reaching out doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’re human.

How did you transition from your personal healing journey into becoming a confidence coach?

Once I started coming out of the darkness, I realized how many people struggle with self-doubt, grief, and rebuilding their lives after setbacks. I had learned so much about resilience, mindset shifts, and overcoming challenges that I felt compelled to share that knowledge. I saw firsthand how confidence plays a crucial role in navigating life’s difficulties, whether it’s overcoming grief, rebuilding after a failed relationship, or finding new purpose. That’s when I decided to develop a coaching program focused on confidence-building, so I could help others regain their sense of self and move forward in a powerful way.

What does your coaching program focus on?

It’s a 10-week holistic program that focuses on three key areas: mental health, physical health, and overcoming life’s challenges. The mental health aspect involves cognitive reframing—helping clients shift their mindset and reframe negative thought patterns into more empowering ones. The physical health component is about movement and exercise because taking care of your body plays a huge role in overall well-being. Lastly, we tackle life challenges by creating clear roadmaps for moving forward, whether that’s in career, relationships, or personal growth. My goal is to help people build confidence from the inside out so they can take control of their lives in a meaningful way.

What is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about confidence?

That it’s something you’re either born with or without. Confidence is a skill—it can be learned, strengthened, and developed. It’s not about being fearless; it’s about moving forward despite fear. Most people think confidence is about never doubting yourself, but it’s really about trusting yourself to figure things out, even when you feel uncertain.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can find me at SuperSelf.me. My website has my contact information, a scheduling link for consultations, and details about my coaching program. I also have a podcast on this channel where I share confidence-building strategies and personal growth techniques.

Thank you for sharing your journey and insights. I know so many people will benefit from your wisdom.

Thank you, Stacey. It’s always great to have these conversations, and I hope this helps anyone who is struggling.

Alex Hristov is a confidence coach based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in helping individuals rebuild their lives after loss, setbacks, and self-doubt. Through his holistic coaching program, he empowers people to shift their mindset, regain confidence, and create a clear path forward. His work is deeply rooted in his personal journey of overcoming grief and adversity, making his approach both practical and compassionate. You can connect with Alex and learn more about his coaching services at SuperSelf.me, where he offers consultations, resources, and insights on personal growth and resilience.

Author(s)

  • Stacey Chillemi

    A renowned 20 Times Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Coach & Podcaster

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