As part of our endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from India and around the world, we invited Shefali Saklani for an interview with us to understand more about her inspiring journey so far. She is a Certified Yoga and Fitness Trainer and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background, and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shefali:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey, please;
I hold a degree in Masters of Business Administration in HR. I joined the corporate world back in 2013 and started my career with Natwest Group. I was a passionate individual from the beginning and always aspired to be the one inspiring people to lead a healthy lifestyle.
I have been a self practitioner for a few years but to improve it further I went for a 200 Hour Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh.
I have always been inclined towards dancing. I secured the second position in the Corporate Talent Championship in Delhi NCR but never took it professionally. It remained a passion and subsided soon.
What made you passionate about ‘Teaching Yoga’?
I feel a sense of satisfaction in motivating others to live healthy and heal. My goal is to guide my clients to find happiness and live their life to the fullest. Everybody wants to have a perfect body and look good but they feel scared to step out of their comfort zone and take that leap.
I believe we all are capable of making desired changes in our lives if we are determined for it. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, pain, limiting belief or weight issues, yoga can help you heal emotionally, spiritually and physically. I help people to take their first step towards the lifestyle they desire.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you
There are days when I feel like giving up. When efforts don’t yield the desired results and it shatters your willpower. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I Imagine the feeling I get by the end result when everything will be as I planned in my imagination.
That brings me the courage and motivation to move forward and keep putting forth my best foot despite all the challenges and bad days I come across. In order to heal others, you must learn to heal yourself.
Radiate love and peace to all only then you will be able to live peacefully and lovingly yourself.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
The trauma. Whenever I think there is no way out, I’m totally lost or stagnant. I think about how many tedious and worst situations I have endured till today.
When I look back and realize the hardships I have conquered I smile and feel proud. I know that I’m strong enough to endure all that life throws at me and emerge stronger than before.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
1) Being honest and strong-headed
2) Keeping the best interests at heart
3) Taking ownership and responsibility for my actions
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
Nobody is perpetually motivated. When I feel demotivated I make sure to set out time for myself. Sit quietly in a corner and re-assess my goals and action plans. Step on the mat to clear the head and say affirmations.
I make it a point to practice gratitude every day and sit quietly without any distractions to declutter my mind. I’m an avid reader and love to read every day.
When my beginner students put in their hard work to show up every day and practice, provide feedback on how relaxed and amazing they feel at the end of every session, that moment gives immense happiness and satisfaction that my goal to help people live a healthy life is getting accomplished.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
The measure of success is different for everyone. Success is a relationship you have with your own self.
According to me, I have not touched Success yet. I’m yet to achieve a lot but if I want to pen down a few things that would help to have a clear sight of the goal, it would be:
> Write down your goals as vivid as possible
> Be consistent. Success is the result of your consistency, compounding for you over long periods of time
> Make time for yourself, everyday invest some time for your own good (meditate, read, listen to music or just relax)
> Do not get disheartened when things don’t work out. Say out a few affirmations to boost yourself and gear up again
> Last but not least, don’t forget to be grateful for every single breath
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
– Be authentic, be you. Do not get swayed by others’ idea of perfection.
– Do not identify yourself with just one thing or profession. If you are a corporate professional but have a passion, pursue that. We crave novelty, yet settle for a one career life. We have one life but we don’t need to be one person.
– Your actions decide your luck, so does your lack of actions. You are what you do, not what you say you will do
– Time goes away and leaves us with only one thing, Regret. So start today.
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.
