Ula Makowska: From Burnout to Breakthrough

How subconscious and soul healing became the key to lasting transformation

After years of climbing the corporate ladder and ticking every box of success, Ula Makowska found herself facing a quiet truth—she was exhausted, unfulfilled, and yearning for something more meaningful. What began as a personal quest to understand her own burnout led to a profound awakening that would change not only her life, but the lives of countless others.

Today, Ula is a transformational therapist blending psychology, neuroscience, and intuitive healing to help people break free from subconscious limitations and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her powerful methods—Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and her signature Soul Freedom Therapy (SFT)—she guides clients to uncover the hidden patterns that shape their fears, self-doubt, and success.

In this exclusive interview, Ula opens up about her journey from corporate exhaustion to soul-led purpose, the deeper truths behind imposter syndrome and visibility fears, and how healing the subconscious mind can unlock not just success, but true freedom.

“Burnout was never the end—it was the beginning of finding myself.”

You went from a successful corporate career to becoming a transformational therapist. What moment made you realize it was time to walk a different path?

I always knew deep down that I wanted to help people. Even when I finished high school, I had that calling—but I didn’t yet know what form it would take. I chose to study psychology because it felt broad enough while keeping me close to that path. After graduating, I still felt directionless and eventually found myself working in HR and operations.

It was a great career, but that inner itch to truly help others never went away. Around the start of COVID, that voice grew louder until I simply couldn’t ignore it anymore. And then, almost synchronistically, hypnotherapy found me—I wasn’t looking for it, but it arrived at the perfect time. From the moment I started, I knew this was where I was meant to be.

Many entrepreneurs struggle with visibility and self-doubt. Why do you think these challenges are so common among high achievers?

Entrepreneurship is one of the biggest mirrors we’ll ever face. It reflects back all our fears, doubts, and insecurities. When you choose this path, you inevitably confront your own mental limitations—it’s part of the process of growth and expansion.

Many entrepreneurs, especially women, start their businesses from a place of passion and purpose, not necessarily for money or status. They often come from environments where being seen wasn’t always safe—whether that was through bullying, criticism, or a lack of emotional support. Speaking up or being visible may once have led to pain, rejection, or punishment.

Those experiences plant deep subconscious beliefs that it’s safer to stay small or unseen. Over time, this shows up as perfectionism, procrastination, or fear of visibility—protective patterns designed to keep us safe from old wounds. Once we address the root cause, those “safety strategies” are no longer needed, and authentic confidence can finally emerge.

You specialize in both subconscious and soul-level healing. How do you know which approach a client truly needs—RTT or SFT?

Both Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and Soul Freedom Therapy (SFT) help clients release what’s holding them back—they simply work on different levels. It’s not about one being “better” or “deeper,” but about what feels right for the person in front of me.

RTT focuses on the subconscious—identifying and transforming beliefs and patterns formed earlier in life. It’s grounded and practical, perfect for those who want powerful results without diving into spiritual concepts.

SFT, on the other hand, explores the soul level—looking beyond this lifetime to understand patterns that may have energetic or karmic roots. It’s for those who feel intuitively drawn to explore beyond the physical realm. Both paths lead to the same destination: freedom and alignment.

Can you share a powerful transformation story that stayed with you?

One of the most profound transformations was actually my own. Before I created SFT, I was ready to take my business to the next level but felt paralyzed by the fear of “I’m not ready.” Through a session, I regressed to a past life where I watched my home planet being destroyed. Leaving it behind meant losing everything familiar—nothing would ever be the same again. That same fear was showing up in my present life, holding me back from growth. When I released it, the fear dissolved, and I was finally able to move forward with clarity and courage.

I also worked with a client—a successful marketing consultant—who could help everyone else promote themselves but struggled to show up for her own brand. Through our work, we traced her fear back to experiences of bullying and betrayal, both in this life and a past one where she was a controversial female writer in the 1800s. She’d internalized the belief that being visible meant being judged or attacked. Once that belief was released, her voice returned. She began sharing authentically online and quickly gained traction and recognition for her work.

Burnout often becomes a turning point for many people. How did your own experience with burnout shape the way you help others today?

My burnout was a wake-up call. I realized it came from spending too much time doing work that no longer resonated with who I was becoming. My side business—my passion—was what gave me energy. When my day job became so demanding that I had to put that dream aside, it felt like a part of me shut down.

Ironically, I started to heal only when I ignored my doctors’ advice to “rest” and secretly began working on my business again. That creative flow was my medicine. It reminded me that our dreams aren’t optional—they’re essential. Now I help others reconnect with their energy and purpose, to move through fear and build lives that truly light them up.

“Healing isn’t becoming someone new; it’s remembering who you are.”

You’ve developed Soul Freedom Therapy from your own intuitive practice. What was the most profound lesson that emerged in that process?

When I first began exploring SFT, I was deep in burnout and desperate for answers. I reached out to my spirit guides for help, unsure if anything was actually happening. It wasn’t until years later—when I started using the method with others—that I saw the transformations unfold before my eyes.

The biggest realization was that healing doesn’t suddenly make you a different person. It clears away the mental clutter—fear, doubt, and self-criticism—so that your true self can breathe again. From that calm, neutral state, you have space to make new choices and attract different outcomes. Healing isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about returning to who you’ve always been, beneath all the noise.

Fear of visibility and imposter syndrome can feel so isolating. What’s one thing you wish every entrepreneur understood about these fears?

The scariest thing we can do is show up as our authentic selves. It feels risky to speak openly or show our imperfections. But vulnerability is actually what makes us magnetic—it’s what creates real connection.

The parts of ourselves we hide are often the exact parts that others will resonate with most deeply. When we stop hiding, we stop repelling the opportunities and people meant for us. Our biggest fear—of being truly seen—is often the gateway to our biggest freedom.

How do you balance science-based methods like CBT and neuroscience with the more intuitive, spiritual aspects of your work?

Everything exists on multiple levels at once—mental, emotional, physical, and energetic. For example, a fear of being seen might stem from childhood experiences, stored trauma in the body, unresolved past-life patterns, or even larger cosmic influences. Which one is true? All of them, simultaneously.

That’s why I blend modalities. Whether a client resonates more with science or spirituality doesn’t matter—what matters is that the approach feels safe and effective for them. Healing works best when it aligns with both the mind and the soul.

In your experience, what’s the biggest misconception people have about healing at the subconscious or soul level?

Many people underestimate just how powerful the subconscious mind really is. It runs about 90% of our daily thoughts—and if those thoughts are rooted in “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve it,” they quietly shape our entire lives.

Your beliefs create your thoughts, your emotions, your habits, and ultimately your reality. To change your life, you must first change what you believe to be possible. That’s where true transformation begins.

For those standing on the edge of transformation—afraid to step into their power—what’s the one message you’d want them to hear today?

The only reason you desire that new life or dream is because it’s already meant for you. Your future self is whispering it through your heart’s desires. The fear you feel is just the doorway you must walk through to reach it. Trust that what’s calling you is calling you for a reason—and it’s time to step into it.