Interview with Arunodaya L A | Behavioral Coach | Certified NLP Master Trainer and Practitioner | Music and Art Therapist | POSH, POCSO Trainer and Consultant
At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Arunodaya L A for an exclusive interview with us. Arunodaya is a Behavioral Coach, Certified NLP Master Trainer and Practitioner, Music and Art Therapist, POSH, POCSO Trainer and Consultant. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Arunodaya:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I am an internationally certified NLP Master Trainer & Practitioner, Music Therapist, POSH Trainer, Verbal Trainer, HR Consultant, Therapeutic Art Coach, and Structured Literacy Trainer. Over the past 15 years, I have dedicated my career to working with corporates, colleges, and schools, focusing on mentoring and coaching new recruits and students.
My professional journey includes significant experience with start-ups, where I have played a pivotal role as a retainer in developing, revising, and implementing HR policies and procedures.
In my role as a social worker, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with diverse industries including Hospitality, Education, Manufacturing, and ITES. The most significant turning point in my career occurred during my time as a District Child Protection Officer at the Department of Social Defence for the Government of Tamil Nadu.
My expertise has been sought by major clients such as Titan LeAP, Mahindra Pride Classroom, Project Puthri, ILFS, SCAPA India Pvt Ltd, Motherhood Hospitals, GSR Ventures, and Petrokens Engineering Services. My diverse range of programs includes Behavioral Modification, Emotional Balance, Knowing the Self, Life Skills, Campus to Corporate Transition, Behavioral Training, Communication Skills, Cross-Cultural Training, Personality Development, Time Management and Goal Setting, Vision Board Creation, Work-Life Balance, Learning Agility, Outbound Training Programs, Problem Solving with Creativity, Mindfulness Training, Coaching, and Mentoring.
My interest in podcasting was kindled after delivering my first-ever talk on child care and protection for Karaikal FM during my tenure as a district officer at the Department of Social Defence.
This experience underscored the importance of advocacy and communication in promoting social welfare, further fueling my passion for making a positive impact in the lives of children, youngsters, and professionals alike.
How did you discover your passion?
My passion found its roots in my early experiences, with my family as my greatest support. Growing up, I faced challenges with learning disabilities, and overcoming these struggles taught me resilience and creativity.
My family stood by me, encouraging me to pursue knowledge and skills that would empower me to help others. This support shaped my desire to mentor, coach, and guide individuals, especially those facing their own difficulties, and ultimately led me to specialize in training, therapy, and child protection.
My journey has been about transforming my challenges into strengths, all thanks to the unwavering encouragement and belief my family instilled in me.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going, even through tough times, is knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Whether I’m working with a child overcoming learning disabilities, guiding a young adult transitioning into the corporate world or helping individuals build emotional resilience through NLP and behavioural coaching, I see firsthand the impact these efforts have on people’s lives.
I’m driven by the resilience of those I work with, by the small but powerful moments of growth, and by my belief in the potential each person has to rise above their circumstances. The challenges simply reinforce my commitment to support, empower, and inspire.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
The three most important lessons I’ve learned in life are deeply intertwined with my own experiences and growth:
1) Turning Challenges into Strengths: Having faced learning disabilities as a child, I learned early on that challenges could be transformed into resilience. This understanding became the foundation of my work today, enabling me to empathize with others and guide them to find their own strengths.
2) The Impact of Compassionate Mentorship: My family’s unwavering support taught me the true power of empathy. This lesson carried into my roles in child protection, therapy, and training, where I found that genuine compassion and understanding could empower individuals to overcome personal obstacles. Whether I’m training or counselling, creating that safe, encouraging environment remains at the heart of my work.
3) Lifelong Learning and Growth: My journey across fields, from district-level child protection to corporate and behavioural training, has shown me the importance of evolving knowledge and skills. Each experience has something new to teach, and I’m driven to constantly grow so I can bring the best guidance to those I work with
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, the keys to success lie in three essential pillars: resilience, empathy, and continuous growth.
Resilience and Adaptability: My journey has shown me that resilience in the face of challenges is crucial. Overcoming my own learning disabilities and working in diverse fields like child protection, behavioural therapy, and corporate training taught me to adapt, persevere, and turn obstacles into opportunities. Success often comes from viewing setbacks as lessons that refine our skills and strengthen our resolve.
Empathy and Genuine Connection: Success isn’t just about achieving personal milestones; it’s about lifting others along the way. In my work with children, students, and professionals, I’ve seen the transformative power of empathy. Building trust, understanding others’ experiences, and offering guidance create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. True success is when we make a meaningful impact on the lives we touch.
Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Each role I’ve taken on has taught me something new, reinforcing my belief in continuous learning. Whether it’s through formal training, real-life experiences, or client interactions, every experience offers valuable insights. Staying curious, open to feedback, and committed to growth allows us to evolve with changing times, enhancing our ability to help and inspire others.
Success, to me, is a blend of inner strength, empathy, and a commitment to growth, which enables us to make a lasting impact on the world around us.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Based on my experience in diverse fields, my advice to students and young professionals aiming for a successful career would be to invest deeply in continuous learning and self-awareness.
Take time to understand your strengths and areas for growth, and be open to challenges that push your limits. Success isn’t just about skill but also about resilience, empathy, and adaptability—qualities that have guided my journey from working with children with learning disabilities to mentoring corporate professionals.
Build a strong foundation in behavioural skills, communication, and emotional intelligence, as these will be invaluable in connecting with others and navigating complex work environments. Seek out mentors and be open to their insights, but also focus on refining your unique voice and contributions.
Remember, each experience—from sensitization training to corporate coaching—has something to teach you about yourself and your impact. Embrace opportunities that align with your values, and always stay committed to both professional excellence and personal growth.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Reflecting on my journey, what makes it particularly satisfying and exciting is the transformative path I’ve taken, fueled by both the challenges I’ve faced and the unwavering support I’ve received from my family and peers.
Overcoming my learning disabilities in childhood instilled in me a deep resilience and determination to succeed, which became a driving force in my professional life. This personal experience not only shaped my understanding of others but also inspired my commitment to mentoring and coaching individuals, particularly those who struggle with similar challenges.
The recognition and awards I’ve received—such as my work in child protection and training—highlight my dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment. Each accolade represents not just my efforts, but also the impact of supportive relationships in my life, from family encouragement to collaborative efforts with peers in various initiatives. These experiences have taught me the value of compassion and understanding, fueling my passion for creating environments where others can thrive.
Ultimately, my journey is not just about personal achievements; it’s about the collective progress we can make when we uplift one another. The inspiration drawn from overcoming obstacles, coupled with the belief that every individual deserves respect and opportunity, drives my work and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I encounter.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
