Charisma tends to get treated like magic where some people have it, and some people don’t.
Eleni Kelakos, actor-turned-coach, longtime AFS member, and author of Charismatic Presence, calls BS on that. She believes presence is a skill you build, and after talking with her on the AFS Health & Care Podcast, I’m convinced she’s right.
What stood out most wasn’t her performance background. It was how much her ideas overlap with what actually drives health behavior change. Everything she teaches about showing up on a stage applies to showing up for your own body, your own goals, and your own life. Watch the full conversation below:
Presence Starts With Your Physiology
Eleni talks about three planes of presence—your vocal presence, your energetic presence, and your physical presence. Different language, same reality we see in health coaching every day:
you can’t think clearly, decide well, or build consistency when your body is locked up and your nervous system is running hot.
She teaches the FBI Reset:
Foot. Breath. Intention.
It’s simple: plant your feet, slow your breath, name your purpose.
This works whether you’re speaking in front of a room, having a hard conversation, or stepping into a workout you’re not in the mood for. When your body settles, your brain follows. Behavior change begins there.
Vision Is a Tool, Not a Motivational Poster
Eleni shared her own story – from growing up in Israel, to New York theatre, to eventually writing her own music and building her coaching practice. The turning point was deciding to author her own life instead of letting other people cast her.
At AFS, you know how strongly this echoes what we teach. See our blog on “Why You Need A Wellness Vision“. This matters. Not in a fluffy, inspirational way – your nervous system genuinely anchors to what it expects. Reading or listening to a clear vision statement every day isn’t woo-woo. It’s behavior mechanics. It makes change feel possible because you’ve rehearsed the future so many times it starts feeling familiar.
Eleni’s Five Principles – Health Edition
Eleni’s core principles map directly onto successful health change:
Know Thyself
Get real about your strengths, your patterns, and the beliefs that keep tripping you up.
Be Thyself
Consistency beats perfection. Every time.
Prepare Thyself
Rehearsal reduces fear. Reps do the same thing. The more you practice, the more automatic the hard stuff becomes.
Commit Thyself
Bold decisions move you forward. That includes showing up on days you’re not motivated.
Turn Thyself On
Bring energy to what you’re doing, even if it’s a 6/10 that day. Your effort shapes your experience.
These aren’t speaking tips—they’re life skills for anyone working on their health.
Presence in Hard Seasons
One of the most powerful moments in the episode was Eleni talking about caring for her brother after a severe COVID battle. There was no “stage presence.” Just breath-by-breath steadiness, attention, and humanity during a brutal stretch for her family.
It’s a good reminder that health isn’t only about workouts or nutrition. It’s about having the emotional and physical capacity to show up when life collapses a little—because it always does at some point.
Why This Matters for Anyone Working on Their Health
If you’re trying to build strength, lose weight, feel like yourself again, or get out of pain, this conversation hits home:
- Regulating your state regulates your decisions.
- A grounded body clears your mind.
- A strong vision pulls you through the dips.
- Honest consistency beats trying to “perform” your way into change.
Presence isn’t about being impressive.
It’s about being available – 4afs44to yourself, your goals, and the people around you.
If you haven’t listened yet, it’s worth the time. And if one of Eleni’s principles stood out, pick one and practice it this week. Tiny behavior changes are how big identity shifts happen.
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