Dr. Natalia Kholodenko: The ‘Oprah of Ukraine’ Empowering Women Through Trauma and Resilience

The backdrop was a summer garden party in London, surrounded by celebrities, but the topic was far more profound: healing from loss and adversity. This exchange, intimate and emotional, would later be shared across Kholodenko’s social channels, where she continues to inspire and offer solace to millions of women impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Earlier this year, she also met and recorded similar conversations with music legends Gloria Gaynor and Kathy Sledge, expanding her efforts to foster healing through shared experiences and empowering dialogues with influential figures from diverse fields.

The Journey to Resilience:

Dr. Natalia Kholodenko’s story is one of extraordinary transformation, speaking to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. In February 2022, Kholodenko found herself forced to flee Kyiv as bombs began to fall. Once a beloved TV host and renowned Ukrainian psychologist, she became a refugee navigating the unknown. Rather than feeling defeated, Kholodenko saw this moment as the start of a new mission: to help women, especially mothers, find strength, rebuild their lives, and recover their sense of self-worth.

Relocating to France with her two children, Kholodenko faced her own trauma while also helping others who were experiencing similar pain. She took up the mantle of mental health advocacy and founded the All-Ukrainian Psychological Marathon 2025, a nationwide initiative offering free, trauma-informed tools to help women reclaim their power.

Impacting Lives Beyond Borders

What makes Kholodenko’s journey compelling is not just the personal resilience she has shown, but also how she has used her platform to bring others along with her. Known as the "Oprah of Ukraine" for her approachable, relatable style of offering guidance, Kholodenko has become a voice for Ukraine’s displaced women, especially mothers.

It’s not just about therapy and advice; it’s about building a community. One of Kholodenko’s most profound recent engagements was with Marlon Jackson. Their heartfelt conversation, recorded for her social media channels, focused on the challenges of overcoming grief and loss. Jackson’s openness about his own life journey and his ability to connect with Kholodenko on a deeply personal level is a testament to the power of shared vulnerability in the healing process.

This new content flows naturally into the rest of the paragraph, highlighting Dr. Kholodenko’s broader outreach and her continued work with other influential figures.

"It was truly an honor to meet Marlon Jackson,” Kholodenko shared. “His courage in sharing such a personal loss is deeply moving, and I believe that by speaking so openly, he will inspire countless others to find strength and community in their own journeys of grief.”

The Mission and the Marathon:

The All-Ukrainian Psychological Marathon 2025 is Kholodenko’s largest and most ambitious project to date. It is an initiative aimed at providing free psychological support, offering tools for emotional recovery, financial rebuilding, and ultimately, empowerment. The marathon is designed to help women affected by war not only survive but thrive, creating lasting stability and a sense of belonging for themselves and their children.

This initiative doesn’t just provide short-term relief; it offers a long-term blueprint for resilience. In a time when so many are struggling with the trauma of war, Kholodenko’s marathon is an answer. It offers hope that, despite the devastation, women can reclaim their dignity, heal their wounds, and rebuild their lives, one step at a time.

The Future of Kholodenko’s Advocacy:

Looking ahead, Dr. Kholodenko remains unwavering in her commitment to her mission. Her work is far from over, and with the All-Ukrainian Psychological Marathon 2025 underway, she is expanding her reach, aiming to touch even more lives and offer a lifeline to those who need it most. Her advocacy for mental health, particularly in a time of crisis, positions her as not only a voice for Ukraine but a global leader in trauma-informed care.

Her resilience, empathy, and drive to uplift others make her a unique figure in the world of psychology and mental health. Kholodenko has turned her personal pain into a pathway for collective healing, and her work is only beginning to make waves internationally.

Dr. Natalia Kholodenko’s story is one of hope, resilience, and community. Her work continues to inspire and offer real solutions to women displaced by war, giving them the tools they need to rebuild their lives and thrive. If you or someone you know is looking for support, empowerment, or guidance, explore the All-Ukrainian Psychological Marathon 2025 and join Kholodenko in this movement for healing and strength.

Follow her journey on Instagram @dr.kholodenko and learn more about her work today.