My Story
I come from a beautiful yet challenging place called Kashmir, where even today, many dream of moving away—not out of choice, but because opportunities are limited. Growing up, I studied at one of the best private schools in the valley, but as a girl, I often heard about what I “could” or “could not” do.
By the time we reached the age of choosing careers, society had already decided for us: you could either be a doctor or an engineer. Neither path felt true to me. After some resistance, my parents finally allowed me to follow my own path in business. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration, and on both occasions, I was awarded the Gold Medal. The unspoken expectation to excel at all costs had quietly wired itself into my mind, and I carried that drive wherever I went.
After my MBA, I was the only woman from my batch who dared to leave my state in search of opportunities elsewhere. It wasn’t easy—I faced months of struggle, resistance from my family, and self-doubt. But eventually, I landed a role in a Fortune 500 company.
Starting Over — Again
Just as I was building a fulfilling career, life took a turn: I got married and moved to France. Arriving in France was both exciting and terrifying. I didn’t speak the language. I didn’t understand the culture. I didn’t even know how to say hello in French. I still remember walking into a career counselor’s office, only to be told with sarcasm: “Oh, you don’t speak French, and you are looking for a job in France?” That moment could have broken me, but instead it fueled me. Going back was not an option—and giving up was never in my nature.
So, I started again from scratch. I pursued another MBA in France, learned the language, and graduated at the top of my class as Major de Promotion. Did I mention I also had a 15-month-old at the time who often wouldn’t even let me hold a pen? Those were challenging days, but also the turning point of my life. From there, doors began to open: I interned at a Fortune 500 company and eventually built a 9-year career at a financial company, where I was fortunate to work with one of the most inspiring leaders of my life. Her grace, vision, and humanity left a lasting mark on me—one that I now carry forward in my coaching.” She taught me what true leadership feels like — grounded, graceful, connected.
A New Country. A New Realization. A New Path.
In 2023, I moved to the United States and stepped into a senior people leadership role at a technology company. It was here that my conviction to become a coach grew even stronger. My manager and I often had very different approaches to people management. Both perspectives were right in their own way, but I chose to remain true to my values of leadership.
During my farewell lunch, I asked him if he was upset about my decision to leave. His words have stayed with me ever since:
“We get life only once, and we must do what we enjoy the most.”
That simple truth gave me the courage to take the leap into what I was meant to do all along: coaching.
How Coaching Transformed Me
Stepping into coaching felt like finally coming home to myself. Almost instantly, life became quieter inside — more spacious, more meaningful. For the first time in years, I felt present, grounded, and deeply connected to my own truth.
Coaching taught me to slow down.
To breathe.
To see life not as a race, but as an unfolding journey.
Today, I savor my mornings of gratitude.
I enjoy the warmth of my tea.
I sit with my children with presence, not hurry.
I laugh more.
I rush less.
I feel lighter and more aligned with who I truly am.
Coaching didn’t just change my career.
Coaching changed my energy, my clarity, my purpose.
And that became the heart of my mission.
In a world where so many leaders and professionals feel stuck, burnt out, or disconnected from themselves, I chose to dedicate my work to helping them move from stagnation into a place of renewed energy, deeper clarity, and meaningful purpose.
Because I know what it feels like to push, to strive, to hold everything together on the outside while feeling depleted on the inside.
And I know what it feels like to live with alignment, intention, and peace.
And I know exactly which one feels like home.
The Human Side of Me
And beyond all of this — I am human, just like you.
I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, and a sister.
I love spending time with my family and friends.
I love hiking, nature, and the smell of fresh grass after rain.
I believe life is meant to be lived fully — not someday, but today.
My bucket list includes climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and flying a plane.
I dream. I learn. I laugh. I grow.
Just like every person who comes to me for coaching.
And maybe that is why people resonate with my story — because I am not extraordinary. I am simply someone who chose to question, to try, to get back up over and over again, and to follow the quiet voice inside that said: “There is more for you.”
There is more for you too.
And I’m here to help you find it.