🎙 Stop Fitting In and Start Belonging — A Conversation with Anna Beregovaia

Podcast Episode 31 of The Non-Native Leader
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/o8sJf2QnuGw
Podcast Page: https://danieleponzo.com/the-non-native-leader-podcast

“You don’t have to fit in — you just have to belong.”

That’s the message at the heart of this new episode of The Non-Native Leader.

This time, I had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Beregovaia, a fellow language and business communication coach who, like me, has spent years helping non-native English professionals build confidence and clarity at work.
But her story goes far beyond teaching English — it’s about identity, displacement, and self-acceptance in a world that often expects us to blend in instead of standing out.

From Russia to Georgia: When English Becomes a Lifeline

Anna’s story begins in Russia, where she built a career training European professionals to communicate in English.
But after being forced to leave her country following the 2022 invasion, she and her family started a new life in Batumi, Georgia — a place that brought both freedom and a renewed sense of uncertainty.

She told me that working internationally often comes with an identity crisis:

“You suddenly become a foreigner. You start questioning who you are in this new environment.”

That feeling — of being both inside and outside at the same time — is something many of us can relate to, whether we’ve moved countries or simply started using English in a new global context.

The Silent Struggle of Non-Native Professionals

In our conversation, Anna described the invisible pressure so many non-native English speakers face:
trying to sound “native,” prove our worth twice as much, and hide our accent or cultural background just to be accepted.

“The problem isn’t just impostor syndrome,” she said.
“It’s self-discrimination — that inner voice that tells you you’re not good enough because you’re not one of them.”

We talked about how language teaching, like many other industries, can be subtly biased — where being “native” is often marketed as a guarantee of quality, even though it says nothing about skill, empathy, or expertise.

Anna shared how long it took her to realize that true professionalism doesn’t come from a passport — it comes from experience, growth, and self-acceptance.

From Fitting In to Belonging

This conversation resonated deeply with me.
When we first move abroad, we try to fit in — adapting, hiding, reshaping ourselves to match the environment.
But belonging is something else.

It’s about finding your own voice in a new language and realizing that you don’t need to erase your identity to communicate effectively.

“When you stop chasing an ideal that doesn’t exist,” Anna said, “you start bringing your full self to the table — and that’s when real confidence begins.”

Multilingual Brains, Superpowered Minds

One of my favorite parts of our talk was when Anna described the multilingual brain as a superpower — not a limitation.
Each language adds a new way of seeing the world.
And in business, this diversity of thought can be your biggest advantage.

“If you speak two languages, you already think in two systems. That makes you more creative, adaptable, and empathetic.”

This insight is vital for IT professionals, managers, and consultants working across cultures.
English isn’t just a tool — it’s a bridge that allows you to lead, connect, and contribute authentically.

Asking for Help Is Strength, Not Weakness

Another powerful moment came when Anna spoke openly about therapy and mental health.
After years of relocation and professional pressure, she realized that asking for help was the key to rebuilding her confidence and self-worth.

“If you have a headache, you take a pill.
When your mind hurts, you talk to someone. It’s the same kind of self-care.”

That openness reminded me that communication is not just about speaking — it’s also about sharing, listening, and supporting each other.

The Turning Point: From Survival to Purpose

Today, Anna runs her own business, coaches professionals across Europe, and builds international speaking clubs to help others find their voices.
She’s no longer trying to fit in — she’s creating spaces where people like her can belong.

That’s what The Non-Native Leader is all about.
Real stories of courage, transformation, and leadership in a second language.

🎧 Why You Should Watch This Episode

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not “enough” because English isn’t your first language…
If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in global meetings or multinational environments…
Or if you’ve ever wondered how to bring your whole self — accent, story, and all — into your professional life…

Then this episode is for you.

👉 Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/o8sJf2QnuGw
and explore more inspiring episodes on The Non-Native Leader podcast page.

🌍 Key Themes from This Episode

• Overcoming impostor syndrome as a non-native English professional

• Building self-acceptance instead of chasing “native perfection”

• Understanding identity and belonging in global careers

• Seeing your multilingual brain as a superpower

• Breaking the stigma around therapy and asking for help

🗝 Final Thought

As Anna beautifully put it:

“You don’t need to erase who you are to belong. You belong because of who you are.”

Let this be a reminder for every non-native professional out there:
your story, your accent, your background — they’re not obstacles.
They’re your competitive advantage.