At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Ashwin Bhatia for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Ashwin is an ICF Leadership Coach, Trainer, Motivational Speaker and Founder of Expanse Mentors LLP. Let’s learn more about his background, inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Ashwin:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I began as a Mechanical Engineer from IIT Roorkee — logic, structure, systems — the building blocks of machines. Then came an MBA in Finance from NMIMS Mumbai — numbers, strategy, precision — the language of business.
Early stints at Tata Motors gave me the rigour, the discipline, and the spark. But my true journey began not in boardrooms, but in boldness.
At 25, I leapt into entrepreneurship. By 35, I had achieved everything I had set out to — financial freedom, entrepreneurial success, external markers of ‘arrival’. But somewhere along that climb, I had also discovered what truly lit me up: People.
Their transformations. Their untapped potential. The extraordinary within the ordinary. So, I turned fully toward what I had always quietly loved —
coaching, facilitating, and kindling change — not just in individuals, but in teams, in whole systems. And now, 20 years on, Internationally Certified and practising Coach…
Thousands of lives touched. Hundreds of organisations partnered. Cultures rebuilt. Teams reborn. Leaders reawakened. Today, I’m known as the “Success Whisperer” — not the one who shouts strategy from a pedestal,
but the one who walks beside, listens deeper, sees beneath. Helping organisations and teams effortlessly achieve success — by building strong, soulful cultural muscle.
Cultures that embrace change. That thrive on differences. That aligns toward a shared, burning purpose. And in my work as a Life coach, I am also the Firekeeper. The one who holds space when the flame flickers. Who reminds leaders of their own inner fire? when doubts, fears, or fatigue threaten to dim it. Who stokes clarity, courage, and connection — so they can light the way for others.
Whether I’m in a 1:1 with a senior leader on the edge of burnout or in a room of 100 people exploring “one team” magic, I bring presence. Precision. And the power to transform. This isn’t just a career. It’s a calling. And every day, I feel grateful to live it. 😊
How did you discover your passion?
Some gifts arrive early in life — gently, quietly — without labels. I always had an intuitive understanding of people. A deep empathy that allowed me to feel beneath words. And a sharply analytical mind that could slice through complexity to find clarity.
It was a strange mix, I suppose — heart and head, tenderness and strategy. But it became my compass. I’ve always believed that heartfulness is a gift every human should experience. And yet, I kept watching workplaces strip that away. Somewhere between job descriptions and deadlines, people were expected to leave their hearts at the door.
And that never sat right with me. That’s when my core philosophy began to take shape — When people come to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home! What if workplaces became spaces where empathy, compassion, and love—yes, even love were not seen as weaknesses, but as strengths that fuel performance? That question became a mission.
And the mission became a message. Live with heartfulness. Lead with heartfulness. Build lives and cultures on the foundation of empathy —
for self, and for others. I began speaking about this long before it was popular.
Before “well-being” became a buzzword, before “emotional safety” was in HR handbooks. And yet, something magical happened. As I persistently shared this message across platforms, rooms, and interventions, Organisations started to listen. They realised this wasn’t “soft.” It was essential. The only sustainable way to lead, to grow, to succeed.
Especially with today’s generation, who don’t just work for paychecks and promotions. They seek meaning. They demand (and rightly so) respect, empathy, and dignity. My message hit home. And slowly, it became the cornerstone of every intervention I design — whether it’s coaching a leader on the brink of burnout, or helping an entire organisation realign around purpose.
And this heartfulness doesn’t stay confined to boardrooms. It flows into my personal life coaching too — helping individuals rediscover their essence, realign their choices, and lead lives that feel like home. So if you ask me how I found my passion, the truth is, I didn’t find it. It was always there, waiting to be heard. And once I listened, I never stopped.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
The truth is — this work isn’t always easy. There are days when resistance is high. When systems don’t change as fast as hearts do. When people are afraid to look within. When the mirror I hold up feels too heavy for someone to carry.
But what keeps me going is witnessing the difference this work brings. When a team that once avoided tough conversations begins to speak openly, and you can feel the room soften, you know something has shifted. Not just structurally, but soulfully.
When an organisation, long stuck in silos and hierarchy, begins to breathe as one — with shared vision, shared rhythm — that’s when I feel lit from within. Because culture changed. Because people choose to rust.
And most deeply — when an individual, lost and unsure, finally finds the courage to choose themselves, to believe they are enough, to make a bold decision, to walk away from what dimmed them — that is the moment I pause and whisper to myself: This is why.
My fuel isn’t just in the victories. It’s in the subtle shifts. In the sigh of relief when someone says, “I didn’t think I could… but now I know I can.”
This work isn’t about making people do more. It’s about helping them become more of who they already are underneath the noise. So, even when things get tough, especially then, I draw strength from the stories unfolding around me. Stories of alignment, awakening, and becoming. Stories where people come home to themselves — and in doing so, transform everything they touch.
And as long as those stories exist — I will keep showing up. With heart. With fire. With a quiet knowing: Because – This matters.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) The heart is not a distraction — it is the compass.
For far too long, we’ve been told to “toughen up,” to separate emotion from action, to lead with logic and leave empathy at the door. But life — and leadership — doesn’t work that way.
I’ve learned that the most powerful transformations happen not when we suppress the heart, but when we honour it. Whether building businesses, cultures, or coaching journeys, it is the emotional truth that drives real, sustainable change. Your heart knows. Listen to it.
2) Success means nothing if it costs you.
By 35, I had checked off all the usual boxes — financial freedom, entrepreneurial wins, external validation. But I’ve seen, in myself and others, how easy it is to lose your inner compass chasing outer milestones. True success, I’ve learned, is deeply personal — it’s when your outer world aligns with your inner world. When your work reflects your values. When your days reflect your truth. Everything else is just applause.
3) You are not here to dim. You are here to burn.
This one is both a lesson and a reminder — one I carry into every coaching conversation, every team session, every cultural transformation. We are not here to shrink to fit roles, norms, or expectations. We are here to ignite, to expand, to live fully lit — in service of something larger than ourselves. And sometimes, all someone needs is a spark — a whisper that says: “You can.” “You’re allowed.” “Let it burn.”
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
1) Purpose over perfection – Success is born not from flawless execution, but from unwavering belief in the why behind it. When purpose drives you, you find resilience in setbacks and meaning in every step.
2) Courage to evolve – Success isn’t static. It’s about embracing change, adapting, and growing. It’s in the moments when you let go of who you were to become who you’re meant to be.
3) Connection – True success is never a solo journey. It’s built on relationships — trust, empathy, and the shared purpose that binds you to others. People make the difference.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
a) Follow curiosity, not just credentials. Your passion will guide you further than a degree ever will. Stay curious, keep learning, and let your interest lead you to unexpected places.
b) Embrace discomfort. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Take risks, step into the unknown, and see challenges as opportunities to evolve, not obstacles.
c) Build with heart. People remember how you make them feel, not just what you do. Lead with empathy, create genuine connections, and success will follow you in ways you never imagined.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
What excites me is the unfinishedness of it all. 😊
Every moment is a new challenge, a new opportunity to push boundaries — both mine and others’.
It’s not about reaching some final destination. It’s about the quiet power of transformation. The fact that every conversation, every session, every interaction could spark something life-changing.
That’s the thrill. Knowing that change is never linear, and you never know which small moment will ignite the biggest shift.
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.
