A journey shaped by curiosity
There wasn’t a single defining moment that shaped who I
am today. Instead, it was a quiet accumulation of habits, influences,
relationships, and environments over time. As a child, I was naturally
disciplined and deeply curious. From the age of ten, I read almost anything I
could get my hands on—my mother’s magazines, newspapers, competitive exam
material, and even medical books belonging to my father and grandfather. There
was no pressure attached to this habit; it came purely from a fascination with
learning and staying mentally engaged.
That curiosity never really left me. In many ways, it
explains why I eventually transitioned from aerospace engineering to
psychology. Even after completing my bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD work in
aerospace, the pull towards understanding the human mind kept growing stronger.
Looking back now, it feels less like a sudden change and more like a natural
continuation of the same curiosity, expressed through a different discipline.
From uncertainty to clarity through
education
Learning has always been central to my identity, and
that naturally shaped my love for teaching. Teaching, for me, was never just
about delivering content; it was about exploring ideas, people, and myself.
During my years as an Assistant Professor, I experienced how fulfilling it can
be to help others think more deeply and clearly.
My undergraduate years were also marked by inner
uncertainty. Like many people at that stage of life, I was still figuring out
who I was and where I belonged. There were phases of low confidence, and during
that time, academics became my primary way of understanding myself. Cracking
the GATE examination with an All India Rank of 203 and entering a master’s
programme in Rocketry became a significant milestone. It gave me confidence,
direction, and a sense of stability.
Alongside research, I began writing, reading psychology,
and developing a deeper curiosity about human behaviour. Although I went on to
pursue a PhD, my curiosity didn’t settle—it expanded. Over time, this led me to
writing books and formally training in psychology and coaching. Throughout this
journey, my wife Bhawna played an essential role in grounding me, encouraging
me, and standing by me both before and after we were married.
The quiet influence of academic life
Academia and research teach you early on that the mind
must remain open. Knowledge does not end with you; it grows through dialogue,
questioning, and continuous inquiry. That perspective stayed with me and
continues to influence how I engage with learning and people.
Professionally, those years helped me develop patience,
structure, and depth. Personally, they reinforced my natural curiosity. Every
phase of my career added something meaningful, even if it didn’t feel
significant at the time. When you are trying to understand the human mind,
curiosity isn’t optional—it’s essential. Academia, in its own quiet way,
trained me to consistently look beyond myself.
From emotional confusion to clarity
Growing up within India’s competitive academic
environment meant navigating repeated cycles of success and failure. Each phase
demanded reflection, even when I didn’t yet have the language to understand
what was happening internally. Over time, I experienced very different
emotional states—numbness, heightened sensitivity, confusion, and eventually,
greater awareness.
At the time, these shifts were not always clear or easy
to interpret. With hindsight and training in emotional intelligence, I can now
see that every phase served a purpose. None of them were wasted. Each
experience shaped how I relate to pressure, identity, failure, and growth.
Those lessons continue to guide how I work with myself and with others today.
Coaching rooted in understanding, not
judgment
Today, my work involves supporting individuals and
organisations across the world by integrating neuroscience with emotional
intelligence. What gives me the deepest sense of purpose is working with people
who are genuinely willing to do inner work. Walking alongside someone over
weeks or months and witnessing gradual shifts in awareness, regulation,
confidence, or relationships is deeply fulfilling—especially when individuals
begin to recognise those changes within themselves.
What continues to stretch me is the same force that
shaped my early years: curiosity. Learning about the mind, behaviour, and
neuroscience is an ongoing process. My personal values—humility, empathy, and
storytelling—are central to how I connect, coach, and lead. I believe that when
people feel understood rather than judged, they become far more open to growth
and change.
Approaching the future and the reflections
that guide life
I don’t plan too far ahead. I prefer to meet life as it
comes while staying emotionally rooted and secure. That approach allows me to
respond, adapt, and move forward with clarity, even when the future feels
uncertain.
For those who look to my journey for inspiration, one reflection remains close to my heart: keep asking questions—of yourself and of the world around you. Clarity creates safety, and safety gradually turns into confidence. When you understand how you function emotionally, mentally, and behaviourally, many of the worries that feel overwhelming today naturally begin to loosen their grip.