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 Dr Pooja Dhingra for an exclusive interview with us. Dr Pooja is a Dentist, Nutritionist, Public Health Educator, Wellness Coach and an Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dr Pooja:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My professional journey began in the field of dentistry, where I developed a strong foundation in health sciences and patient care. While I enjoyed working closely with individuals to improve their oral health, I always felt a deeper calling—to make a broader impact on communities, especially among the underserved and underprivileged.
Driven by this purpose, I transitioned into public health, where I worked with nonprofits and other health initiatives aimed at educating and empowering people. This phase of my career allowed me to see the bigger picture: health is not just about treating illness—it’s about prevention, education, and lifestyle change.
The turning point in my journey came during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world came to a standstill, I saw an opportunity to rise. I joined hands with organizations, ran health campaigns, raised funds, and most importantly, extended my support to those who needed it the most. That experience reshaped me and it deepened my purpose and solidified my belief that service begins with action.
It was through this lens that I found my way to nutrition and wellness coaching. I realized that long-term health isn’t just about medicines and treatments—it’s about empowerment, prevention, and lifestyle transformation. Today, as a nutritionist and wellness coach, I help individuals—especially women—heal, grow, and thrive by taking charge of their health, one sustainable step at a time.
My mission is to guide and support those who are ready to reclaim their health, rebuild their confidence, and truly live well—from the inside out. Today, I blend my background in science, community health, and personal experience to help individuals take control of their health through sustainable lifestyle changes, nutrition education, and mind-body alignment.
But my journey wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal. After going through a separation and coming out from a toxic marriage, I was forced to rebuild my life from the ground up. I was fighting my own internal battle—challenging the deep-rooted social conditioning around divorce. As women, we are often told to tolerate, adjust, and stay quiet for the sake of “respectability.” But I chose a different path.
I chose to study, grow, evolve, and stand tall in my truth. It wasn’t easy. The emotional toll, the stigma of divorce, and the weight of social conditioning were heavy, they are still heavy, but they did not break me. Instead, they awakened something in me.
I saw how women are often expected to suffer in silence, to stay for the sake of society, to shrink themselves to fit into someone else’s version of what a “good woman” should be. But I chose differently. I chose growth. I chose healing. I chose independence. More importantly, I chose myself. I went back to studying, evolved into a nutritionist and wellness coach, and I am still learning—still becoming.
But most importantly, I decided to create space for other women too. That’s how Manobal was born—my NGO with a mission to educate, empower, and awaken strength in girls and women. No woman should ever have to compromise her dignity, dreams, or individuality for anyone—not for a man, not for society, not for the sake of appearances.
Through Manobal, I aim to break stereotypes, challenge conditioning, and raise a generation of women who are bold, aware, and unapologetically themselves.
We offer:
> Emotional support and resources to help individuals heal.
> Access to therapies and guided healing modalities.
> A nurturing space where being heard is part of the healing process.
Because at the heart of Manobal is a simple, powerful truth: No woman should ever have to compromise her individuality, dignity, or dreams. My mission is to help women reclaim their voice, their strength, and their right to live life on their own terms.
How did you discover your passion?
Not in a classroom. Not in a textbook. But in conversations.
I discovered my passion through talking to people, truly listening, and understanding their pain. It started with my own struggles—my health, my healing, my emotional battles. And it grew every time I sat with someone who was silently suffering… from chronic illness, body shaming, stigma, or the emotional scars of societal expectations.
I began diving deep into holistic health—not just food or fitness, but the whole human experience. And something magical happened: People started getting better—not just physically, but mentally. They came off medications. They began healing from the inside out. That’s when I knew… this was it. My passion isn’t just nutrition.
It’s not just coaching. It’s helping people understand the root cause of their suffering, break free from stereotypes and shame, learn to love and accept themselves and reconnect with their mind and body with compassion. This journey isn’t about transformation alone—it’s about liberation: Mental. Physical. Emotional.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Knowing that impact matters more than obstacles. That someone out there is waiting for a story like mine to feel seen. I’ve been through the storm. And I’m still standing.
So I’ll keep going—not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. That quiet voice inside me says: “You’ve been through worse.” “You didn’t come this far to stop now.” “Someone out there needs the woman you’re becoming.” I’ve walked through darkness.
I’ve rebuilt from zero. And I remind myself: I’m not doing this just for me. I’m doing it for every woman who still thinks she can’t. There are days I feel tired. Heavy. Questioning. But what keeps me going is knowing that my passion is bigger than my fear.
I’m here to break patterns, challenge shame, and hold space for healing. Even when I doubt myself, I know the work I’m doing matters. Because someone’s breakthrough might just be waiting on my courage to keep showing up.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) For the longest time, I believed choosing myself was selfish—until life taught me that self-abandonment is the real betrayal. You don’t owe anyone your silence, your suffering, or you’re shrinking. You are allowed to say no. To walk away. To start over.
Choosing yourself is not rebellion—it’s redemption. This lesson came to me when my marriage ended. After enduring the emotional pain and holding on for far too long, I realized: no one is coming to save you—you have to save yourself. Leaving wasn’t a weakness. It was power. It was the first time I chose myself. And from that moment on, I promised never to abandon myself again.
2) Pain is a teacher, not your identity. I’ve walked through heartbreak, illness, failure, and shame. But every wound held wisdom.
Every breakdown cracked me open—to truth, to purpose, to power. I used to ask, “Why me?” until I started asking, “What is this teaching me?”
That shift changed everything. The pain I went through didn’t destroy me—it woke me up.
It led me to purpose. To healing. To Manobal. And now, I help others find their way through the darkness too. Your pain is not who you are. It’s what shaped who you’re becoming. Healing begins the moment you stop asking, “Why me?” and start asking, “What next?”
3) Your voice is your power—use it. The world may try to silence you. Condition you. Convince you that your worth is tied to your obedience. But the moment you speak your truth—even with shaking hands and a breaking heart—you begin to reclaim your life. Speak. Share. Stand tall.
Your voice has the power to heal—not just you, but generations after you. Your story is your strength. Share it. For too long, I stayed quiet. Ashamed. Conditioned to hide. But the moment I started using my voice, everything shifted. Because when one woman speaks her truth, she gives permission for another to do the same.
That’s why I do what I do now—as a coach, a nutritionist, and a woman on a mission: To break the silence. To break the stigma, to remind others: You are not alone. These lessons didn’t come easy. They were earned. And now they’re the foundation of everything I do—as a coach, a guide, and a woman who refused to stay quiet.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, the keys to success are:
Self-awareness and self-acceptance – Success starts from within. It’s about knowing who you are, embracing your strengths, and confronting your weaknesses. When you’re authentically yourself, you build the foundation for true success. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t move forward if you’re not grounded in your own truth and reality.
Resilience and adaptability – Life will never be a straight path. The key to success is resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks—and adaptability, the ability to evolve when the situation demands it. Success isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about learning from it, growing through it, and using every challenge as a stepping stone toward your goal.
Purpose-driven action – Success isn’t measured by what you achieve alone—it’s about the impact you make and the purpose behind your efforts. When you’re working toward something that truly lights you up, it’s not just about the end result—it’s about making a difference along the way. Keep your vision clear and your values rooted, and success will follow.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
1) Find your purpose, not just a paycheck – Success doesn’t come from just clocking in hours or chasing titles. It comes from aligning your work with your values and passion. When you’re doing something that excites you, that fulfills you, success feels less like a grind and more like a journey. Purpose is the fuel that will keep you going when things get tough.
2) Invest in learning, not just credentials – A degree or certification is a great start, but true growth comes from continuous learning. Be curious. Seek mentorship. Read widely. Take courses. The world is constantly evolving, and the most successful professionals are those who never stop learning and growing.
3) Embrace failure and rejection as part of the process – Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it. Every no, every rejection, and every mistake is a chance to learn andimprove. Don’t be afraid of setbacks. Resilience is a key component of success. Keep getting up, keep learning, and keep moving forward.
4) Build relationships and network authentically – It’s not just about what you know—it’s also about who you know. But more importantly, it’s about how you connect with people. Build genuine relationships, collaborate, and show up as a team player. People will remember how you made them feel, and that’s often more important than your technical skills.
5) Balance ambition with self-care – You can’t build a successful career on burnout. Success isn’t just about the hustle—it’s about sustaining your energy, health, and mindset. Make sure you prioritize your well-being along the way. Rest, recharge, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
It’s the transformation—not just of myself, but of others too. From being a dentist to working in public health, to becoming a nutritionist and now a life and wellness coach… every phase of my journey has been about service, growth, and impact.
But what makes it most fulfilling is this: I turned my pain into purpose. I rebuilt myself after abuse, after separation, after being told to stay silent and small. I didn’t just survive—I chose to rise, and to help others rise with me. The excitement comes from seeing lives change—when someone finally chooses themselves, breaks free from shame, heals from within, or simply feels seen and heard for the first time.
I created Manobal to be that safe space, and every time a woman reclaims her voice, her health, her confidence—I know this journey is worth every step. What makes it beautiful is that it’s real. Raw. Unfiltered. Human. And every day, I get to wake up and do something that lights up my soul. That is success. That is freedom. And that’s what makes the journey so incredibly worth it.
It’s not just the milestones. Not just the transformation or the growth. It’s the people. Because this journey was never walked alone. At every low point, at every crossroad, there were people who showed up, who believed in me when I didn’t, who offered their time, love, guidance, or even just a listening ear to me. This success is not mine alone.
It belongs to every soul who stood beside me when I was rebuilding. I carry deep gratitude for those who helped me heal, rise, and thrive. And today, what excites me the most is the chance to pay it forward. Through my work, through Manobal, through every client I coach and every woman I empower—
I get to give back.
I get to be the support I once needed. I get to turn that compassion into impact. And that—the cycle of giving, healing, and growing together—is what makes this journey incredibly meaningful. It reminds me that I wasn’t just saved—I was prepared. To now help save others.
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.
