Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasneem Kagalwalla.
Tasneem, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
YOU ARE EVERYTHING YOU CHOOSE TO BE This is my mantra!
Have you heard of the saying, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”
In my late 20s, a tragic heartbreak coupled with a highly toxic work environment had me utterly depressed and broken. It was a phase of life, in which I had lost control on how I chose to live. I was remote-controlled by my circumstances, feeling lonely, low, and lost. I did not want to go anywhere, meet anyone, or do anything.
‘I just can’t do it’, I said.
I was right!
Until one day, I saw a family photograph that was clicked on the insistence of an over-enthusiastic aunt, known for her joie de vivre. She irritated me then, “How can someone be so full of it,” I muttered.
It was the first time, in a long time, that I saw how I looked on the inside, from the outside. I was the only one in that picture, without a smile. After all, she had everyone else in a giggle with her theatrics and jokes. Not me though. The blank stare in my eyes stoically matched the emptiness I felt within.
Something snapped that day. And Thank God it did. For that day, I made a decision. I chose to think differently. I wanted to lead a healthier and happier life.
‘I can do it’, I said.
I was right!
And I did. I worked hard on myself, tried every new theory, therapy, and home remedy whilst continually learning under expert masters and teachers. Wholeheartedly, I committed to a mindset reset, continuous improvement, and purposeful living. Everyday. There’s been no turning back since.
Today, it is a way of life.
As a Life Strategist, Trainer, Speaker, and Writer, I choose to not only help individuals overcome their challenges but also empower them to lead their best lives.
Empowerment is best evoked, not installed. It needs to be called forth from the individual’s own resources. In that sense, empowerment is not given, as much as it is found. What is provided, is a lens or a mirror, through which one’s own vision is clarified.
Over the years, it is this modus operandi that brings forth consistent, long-standing, successful results.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest personal struggle I overcame was that of my relationship with hurt and pain.
Our relationship with hurt and pain is often skewed. Hurt or pain is viewed as an intrinsic failure of the self and of life. But hurt and pain need to be redefined. Its entry, its presence, and its ability to transform the self is phenomenally outstanding. I truly believe there is nothing more pivotal in the journey of conscious living than the understanding, integration, and evolution of hurt and pain.
Pain can in fact be used as a vehicle of growth.
It is through my pain that I found my purpose. In that sense, my passion for driving positive change fuels my resilience.
Professionally, 3 other areas in which the struggle is real on some days are:
1. Mental Health: Incredible progress is made with regards to the importance of mental health, and many seek help without fear and prejudice today.
Yet, there is room for much awareness and acceptance. If one asks for help, the age-old stigma of, “Are you crazy?” “I don’t need help.” or “S/He’s gone mad.” is still a reality in many families.
Spreading awareness through workshops and seminars is key as is encouraging individuals to tell their stories. This serves as a live-wire inspiration which promotes humaneness and compassion as well.
2. Men and Mental Health: In my experience, on an average, far more women are open to professional therapy, coaching, or counseling services than men. The men that do seek help, are cajoled into doing so by their spouses or a concerned family member.
Men do work with Corporate Coaches to achieve their career or professional goals. And in that realm, if a mental health challenge is addressed, then it may be taken into the fold and worked upon.
However, for personal problems per se, fewer men actively look for Mental Health Practitioners. This is largely due to societal/cultural norms of, “You’re a man, you should be able to figure it out” or “Men don’t cry.”
Progress in this area can be made only when we as a global society change the way we think, speak and act. I believe, this responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of each of us.
3. Religion and Mental Health: Though few and far in-between, there have been a couple of times wherein a client has refused to work with me based on my religious ethnicity.
Religion and how one chooses to practice it is a very personal choice, one that should be mutually respected and accepted. One’s professional practice has nothing to do with it.
Thus, I will continue to work tirelessly to help individuals, using everything I have in my arsenal, that includes, evidence-based practices, techniques, knowledge, skill, empathy, and staying committed to those with the conviction that together we will surely move towards ultimate wellbeing and growth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
To begin with let’s talk about, what I do.
I empower individuals to live their ideal lives with authenticity and purpose.
Life Coaching: I take great pride in being the first ABNLP (American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Programming) certified Master Practitioner, Coach, and Trainer in the state of Texas. Over the course of my 15 + years of practice, my specialization includes working with Teens, Relationship/Family Coaching, and Couples Therapy. The best way to sample the effectiveness of coaching is to avail of the 60 minutes Free Discovery Session which allows one to share and discuss the endless possibilities of positive change.
Apart from offering 1:2:1 online and in-person coaching sessions across ages, I enjoy sharing my perspectives on my radio show, called ‘Doubleshot Espresso’ at Radio Azad. This is a co-hosted talk show solely dedicated to topics of self-improvement and personal development.
Training: My programs are focused on providing human performance solutions (which involves the acquisition of knowledge, sharpening of skills, attitudes, behavior, beliefs, and values) for all business objectives targeting complete synergy between the individual, team, and the organization.
What distinguishes Personal Soul-utions from other training companies is the flexibility to specific requirements, creating tailored programs for all kinds of training and development needs.
Additionally, Nuero Linguistic Programming (NLP) which is a scientific study of proven learning, behavior, and change techniques is the foundation of all training programs.
Speaker: As a writer and speaker, I am continually looking forward to opportunities to create shifts in thinking or motor self-motivation. In December 2019, it was my honor to be felicitated with the ‘Exemplary Keynote Speaker Award’ for enlightening others and excelling in everything one desires, by the Indian Association of North Texas (IANT)
My best rewards though lie in the heartfelt messages and honest feedback I receive from clients. These testify of their triumph, pursuits of happiness and speak of their success stories. Those will always remain my biggest accolades.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’m told I was a bit of a paradox growing up. While I was innately stubborn and naughty, I was very warm and highly sensitive too. “She’s such a rebel,” my mom would moan, pulling her hair out by day, and “You’re all heart,” my mom would whisper, hugging me tight at night.
On one hand, in school I was a high achiever, The Vice Head Girl of my school, winning accolades in sports, academics and public speaking came easy to me whereas on the other hand, in university things dramatically changed. My best friend ghosted me, and that hit me hard. I lost interest in my goals. My insecurities got out of hand, and I spent most of my college days trying to fit in with different groups of people, none of which made long-lasting friendships.
I loved to write poetry from childhood, and it was during this time that I ardently put pen to paper. Writing was therapeutic for me, and I found companionship and solace in the company of words.
A combination of these characteristics and life experiences, make me what I am today. In hindsight, (barring a few life lessons I wish I would’ve learned sooner than later), I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could. My authenticity has been an arduous work of labor, one which required vulnerability, sensitivity, and integrity. In fact, I recently realized, my sensitivity is my superpower. Over the years I’ve learned to channel this trait differently. It now allows me to be a natural empath and grants me incredible insight into people and how they feel. Today, as a Life Strategist, it is my biggest strength.
Thus, with humility, grace, and gratitude, I own my story.
Contact Info:
- Email: tasneem@personalsoul-utions.com / tasneemkagalwalla10@gmail.com
- Website: www.tasneemkagalwalla.com
- Instagram: @tasneemkagalwalla
- Facebook: @tasneemkagalwalla
- Twitter: @TKagalwalla
- YouTube: @tasneemkagalwalla
- Other: Medium – @tasneemkagalwalla
Image Credits
Shabbir Degani
