.png)
Hi, I’m
Gillian Abbott.
I guide people through the terrain of transformation—helping them come home to themselves and rise from that place of truth.
Descend to Ascend:
My Personal Journey
Base Camp
I was raised in Calgary, Alberta by parents from Newfoundland, two big sisters, and several generous mentors. My greatest passion was dancing—I loved expressing myself through movement and was often recognized for my talent.
Outwardly, I was bubbly and bright. Inwardly, I struggled with perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and an eating disorder.
First Ascent
At 17, I became the youngest dancer ever hired by Cirque du Soleil, performing in the Beatles LOVE show in Las Vegas. Later, I became one of just twelve women accepted into The Juilliard School, where I earned my BFA in Dance.
Funnily enough, when I was 10, I wrote a list of dreams. The last two were: go to Juilliard and dance for Cirque du Soleil. I never imagined they’d come true—in reverse.
I've been a goal-setter from the beginning. And while the list of accomplishments kept growing, so did the inner pain. Eventually, I could no longer ignore it—and that’s when the real journey home began.
The Turning Point
A year after graduating Juilliard, I landed the role of “Baby” in the national Broadway tour of Dirty Dancing. It felt like all the stars had aligned.
And yet—I was still silently battling disordered eating and a deep, persistent sense of not being enough.
After the tour, I hit rock bottom and found myself on my first silent meditation retreat. That week, I encountered the Buddhist concept of basic goodness—our innate, unconditional worth.
There, I began to turn toward my experience with compassion, giving space to the parts of me that hurt. I even gave my inner critic a name: Fancy Fran. That moment was a turning point—and the descent began.
The Descent
Meditation became a daily practice. I became certified as a Meditation Teacher through MNDFL in New York City and began teaching at MNDFL, Juilliard, The Well, The Protégé Movement, and various studios.
I went on to earn my MFA in Acting from Columbia University, where I deepened my understanding of empathy, imagination, and truth. I often say acting feels like the embodiment of meditation—I meet all the parts of myself on the cushion, then give them voice and body through character.
Who knew that acting training would become the best preparation for life coaching?
Over the past decade, I’ve also trained extensively in the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and other somatic modalities that support breath, embodiment, and mental health. I became certified as a Breathwork Teacher through Ally Maz and George Ramsay, the creators of the Breathwork featured on the Open app.
The Integration
Today, I’m back home in Calgary.
Through MTN Life Coaching, I work with a wide range of individuals—from world class artists and executives to full-time moms and teenagers. My intention with every client is the same: to support them in coming home to themselves and embodying their greatest potential.
From that place of authenticity—not scarcity—they can create a life that is truly their own.