Jana Day, Career Coach with Ama La Vida

BA Business and BS Psychology from Coe College
Positive Intelligence (PQ) Certified Coach, Pod Leader, & Facilitator
Emotional Intelligence EQ-i 2.0, and EQ 360 Review Programs Certified
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) International Coaching Federation

This is my story

Hello! I’m Jana Day, a Coach that genuinely loves meeting people from all walks of life. After working and living on both coasts, which had so many positives, I am happy to return to the midwest. I love to travel, and remote work makes this possible, I am a cheerleader to my two sons, love riding my bike, am a sports enthusiast, have a rescue pup named Sydney, and married to my forever and always for thirty years. 

As a former Head of Recruiting and Talent Acquisition for Fortune 100 companies, I know firsthand what companies are looking for in top-tier talent. I use this knowledge to help my clients stand out in a competitive marketplace. I love helping my clients discover their own hero stories and empowering them to take action to achieve their dreams.

I Serve:

People who, despite the challenges and uncertainty that come with making a career shift… 

  • have the courage to take the leap and pursue their passion 
  • want to level up in their career
  • who are committed to their own personal and professional growth
  • willing to take action to achieve their goals


Professionals who…

  • are ready to identify their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals
  • are willing to challenge their own assumptions, be receptive to feedback and suggestions
  • love a good action plan and needs an accountability partner that listens

My Coaching Approach

I believe coaching is for everyone. I have supported Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning crews to accounting, marketing, and legal teams. I also volunteer as a Career Coach at my YWCA, working with women from the domestic violence program and underserved members in my community.

My approach is centered around creating a supportive environment with gentle nudges to move you to the next level. I will ask thought-provoking questions that challenge your current perspectives and move you forward. My goal is to empower you to become the person you aspire to be and feel confident every step of the way.
I bring experience and training in emotional and positive intelligence. Let’s work together towards improved happiness, wellness, and increased performance. And unlike a sports coach, I promise never to blow a whistle or make you run laps.

What my clients say

“Jana has operated with all levels of demanding organizations for decades, which gives her rare empathy as an executive coach. She has worked on Academy Award winning crews and knows what it takes to be high performing. My goals are clearer and loftier because of her guidance. I have referred her to some of my dearest colleagues and family members. They overcame obstacles through Jana’s skillful coaching.” – Cynthia M. Director of Projects

“Since having Jana as my career coach, I’ve gained invaluable knowledge and resources that I use to navigate through my career on a daily basis! It feels so reassuring to have such an amazing cheerleader in my corner!” – Eliza H. Casting Coordinator

“I was looking for a coach to help me working through a plan of what I wanted to do with my career. Through the course of several conversations, Jana helped me figure out and plan out that I really wanted to start my own business. I connected with Jana from day one based on our mutual bond over our shared core values and how we approach life. She provided value insight and perspective that helped me move forward with a plan to launch the business, I always wanted to but was afraid to for various reasons. She helped me figure out how to build and execute the plan to set me on a path to live my best life as a business owner. I highly recommend Jana as a coach!” – Matt H. President and Small Business Owner

“I really appreciate how Jana’s coaching is grounded in a blend of grace, truth and expansive experience. It made me absolutely confident that you could see things I couldn’t see and most crucially, could give me perspective and clarity that I could trust in a season where I didn’t have much of it. I don’t feel like I could ask for anything more.” – Gene K., Producer & Creator

“Coaching has helped me find the sweet spot between thinking, feeling, and doing. I’m more likely to operate from my head and my heart. My coach has helped me balance all my thinking and feeling with action, which is not the first place I go— and is necessary to move forward in my career.” – Maria E.

“Ama La Vida was just what I needed to help me navigate a major career transition and use my values as a compass. Coach Jana was truly an amazing coach with wisdom packed guidance and questioning that led me to make a great move where I felt 100% confident in my decision. I loved having access to the Ama La Vida membership site with modules and access to other special events/webinars on topics that interested. Would definitely recommend Ama La Vida to others!” – Danielle A.

“Working with Jana helped me figure out what I really wanted out of a job. Through that work I was able to identify a position that I really wanted, and then start applying for them. Purely by luck, one fell in my lap. But, I am even more grateful knowing that it was something that I wanted all along.” – Mary A.

“Jana changed the way I thought about myself and my values. It changed my entire career path. Forever grateful for Jana Day!!” – Sara H.