Born January 6, 1960, in Queens, New York City, Ingrid Hajek has built a career that extends far beyond her former marriage to Hollywood legend James Caan. Her journey from model to certified life coach reveals a woman who carved her path after stepping out of the spotlight.
With expertise in NLP, EFT, and Kriya Yoga meditation, Hajek helps clients transform their lives through personalized coaching. This article explores her life story, career achievements, and coaching philosophy.
Who is Ingrid Hajek?
Ingrid Hajek grew up in Queens, New York, with a mixed ethnic background of Puerto Rican and American heritage. Her early years shaped her perspective on life and eventual career path. According to sources, Hajek attended the Coaches Institute, where she became a Certified Professional Life Coach and certified NLP practitioner.
Raised in a Christian household, Hajek developed interests that would later become integral to her coaching career. Standing at approximately 5’6″ with brown eyes and brown hair, her natural presence served her well in her early modeling days.
Family connections played an important role in her upbringing, though she keeps much of her family history private. This balanced approach to privacy while maintaining a public career has become a hallmark of her professional life.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ingrid Hajek |
| Date of Birth | 3 January 1961 |
| Age | 64 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Queens, New York City, United States |
| Hometown | New York City, United States of America |
| Height | 5′ 6″ (167 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Hazel Brown |
| Hair Colour | Golden Brown |
| Personal Interests | Animal lover (owns two cats); enjoys social events |
| Spouse(s) | James Caan (m. Sep 1990; div. Mar 1994); Michael Schurer |
| Children | Alexander James Caan (b. 10 April 1991) |
| Siblings & Relatives | Sister: Ina; Uncles: Francisco, Bartolome |
Marriage to James Caan
Ingrid’s marriage to actor James Caan brought her into the public eye. The couple married in September 1990 on a boat named Regentsea in Marina Del Rey, California. At the time, Ingrid was 29 years old while James was 49.
Their marriage produced one son, Alexander James Caan, born on April 10, 1991. Despite having a child together, the marriage lasted only four years, with the couple divorcing in March 1994.
Following their divorce, Ingrid focused on rebuilding her identity beyond being known as a celebrity spouse. This period of personal transformation would eventually lead to her career as a life coach.
Career
Before her marriage to Caan, Ingrid had established herself as a model. She worked with various fashion brands and appeared in fashion magazines and TV commercials. This early exposure to the entertainment industry gave her valuable experience with public life.
The real turning point in her career came after her divorce. In February 2006, she began working as a Life Coach at Self Development Coaching in the Las Vegas area and Greater Los Angeles, California. This career shift marked not just a professional change but a personal evolution.
As of 2025, Ingrid has built a strong reputation in the coaching industry. She works as a Life Coach/Personal Coach at Self Development Coaching and also runs Life and Prosperity Coaching in Santa Monica, California. Her professional email (lifeprosperitycoaching@gmail.com) indicates her continued active status in this field.
Coaching Specializations
What sets Hajek apart in the competitive coaching industry is her specialized techniques and approaches. Ingrid offers in-person and virtual coaching sessions and specializes in the Kriya Yoga method of meditation. She is also an EFT Practitioner and NLP Trainer.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) forms a cornerstone of her practice. This approach helps clients understand how language patterns affect their psychology and behavior, leading to meaningful change.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) allows Hajek to help clients release emotional blocks through tapping specific points on the body while focusing on negative emotions and replacing them with positive affirmations.
Kriya Yoga meditation methods add a spiritual dimension to her coaching. This ancient technique helps clients find inner peace and connect with their deeper purpose.
1. Certification as a Professional Life Coach
Ingrid attended the Coaches Institute, where she became a Certified Professional Life Coach and certified NLP practitioner. This educational achievement laid the foundation for her coaching career and gave her the tools to help others transform their lives.
2. Launching Life and Prosperity Coaching
Taking her coaching practice to the next level, Ingrid founded Life and Prosperity Coaching in Santa Monica. This venture allowed her to create a unique brand centered on personal growth and financial success.
3. Developing Specialized Coaching Techniques
With over a decade and a half of experience as a coach, she helps prospective clients craft goals for themselves and live their desired lives. Her unique combination of NLP, EFT, and Kriya Yoga creates a holistic approach to coaching.
4. Building a Diverse Client Base
Through years of dedicated practice, Ingrid has worked with clients from various backgrounds, helping them navigate life transitions and achieve personal growth—something she experienced firsthand after her high-profile divorce.
5. Maintaining Long-term Professional Success
Ingrid has accumulated a net worth of approximately $2.5 million through her modeling career and subsequent work as a life coach. This financial independence reflects her successful career transition and ability to create stability beyond her high-profile marriage.
Personal Life
After her divorce from James Caan, Ingrid rebuilt her personal life while developing her professional identity. She currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she continues her life coaching practice.
Her lifestyle balances professional endeavors with personal wellness practices, including the Kriya Yoga meditation she teaches to clients. This integration of personal practice and professional teaching creates authenticity in her coaching approach.
Ingrid maintains a presence on social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, though she keeps a lower profile than many influencers. This measured approach to public life reflects her philosophy of balanced living.
1. Major Life Changes
Ingrid’s transformation from model to life coach after her divorce shows how career pivots can lead to greater fulfillment. When facing major life changes, look for opportunities to reinvent yourself based on your core values and interests.
2. Holistic Wellness
Hajek’s combination of NLP, EFT, and Kriya Yoga demonstrates the power of addressing mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellness. Consider how different techniques might work together in your growth journey.
3. Personal Brand Based on Expertise
Rather than trading on her celebrity connection, Ingrid developed specialized skills that became the foundation of her reputation. Focus on developing deep expertise in areas that genuinely interest you rather than relying on surface-level credentials.
4. Maintaining Privacy While Building a Career
Despite her previous high-profile marriage, Ingrid has maintained control over her public image. Be strategic about what aspects of your life you share publicly, especially when building a personal brand.
5. Challenges as Professional Strengths
Ingrid’s experience with divorce and identity transformation likely informs her approach to helping clients through similar challenges. Your own life experiences can become valuable assets in your professional toolkit.
Conclusion
As Ingrid Hajek continues her work as a life coach, her story remains an inspiration for those seeking to reinvent themselves after significant life changes. Her journey from model to celebrity spouse to respected coach demonstrates the power of personal transformation.
For aspiring coaches and anyone facing major life transitions, Hajek’s career evolution offers valuable lessons about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond public perceptions.
What can you take from Ingrid’s story to apply to your own personal or professional transformation? Perhaps her integration of different wellness techniques or her ability to build a new identity after a public relationship speaks to your current situation.
In a world that often defines people by their relationships or past roles, Ingrid Hajek stands as an example of someone who successfully wrote her next chapter.
