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Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Neha Mathur Rastogi (Special Series)

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Founder, WordsWork Communications Consulting Co-chair of Sports Committee, FICCI Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Neha Mathur Rastogi – Preeti Juneja Q. What motivated you to pursue a career in PR? Tell us your story. I was always fascinated by the power of the written word. I wanted a career that was both creative but also with exposure to the corporate world. After narrowing my interest largely to mass communications, I did a couple of internships during my undergraduate to narrow my interest in PR. From there on, I chose to specialise in PR for a postgraduate course and have never looked back for over 20 years. To a certain extent you need to be built to suit this industry. If you thrive in building connections and have a knack for being a people person, this career would be ideal for you. Q In your view, how is PR and Digital Marketing related? As the communications industry evolves, the lines between PR and digital marketing are definitely getting blurred. There is an inherent symbiotic relation between the two, and hence, it is wise to align both to build a holistic communications strategy. Q. What are the best practices for posting news on social media? The most critical aspect of news in social media is that it needs to be highly current and relevant. Beyond a particular shelf life, news loses relevance on social media very quickly compared to traditional mediums. Typically, when we post news on social media, a link back to the story if on a digital medium is suitable; a carousel of high-quality and legible print stories is also an excellent way to do a ‘media watch’ format post. We also do Linkbacks to the publication’s social media handles. Q. Do you have a role model within your industry who has inspired you? How has that person influenced and inspired you? Ms Prema Sagar has been a long-term influence in my life. I am impressed by her ability to balance an incredible career with grace and dignity. Additionally, I am super impressed with Mr. Madan Bahal from Ad Factors. Building such a formidable independent firm quietly and growing beyond global standards is extremely impressive. Q. What advice would you offer to young individuals interested in joining this profession? If you’re someone who enjoys a healthy balance between creativity and a corporate environment, PR could be the perfect career for you. In this industry, we value people with fortitude and a can-do attitude. While media knowledge, writing skills, and client management capabilities can be acquired, those with excellent people skills have a distinct advantage. Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Neha Mathur Rastogi ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com About Author Neha Mathur Rastogi Neha Mathur Rastogi, the Founder of WordsWork Communications Consulting, brings over 18 years of expertise in public relations, corporate brand communications, and media planning. As the strategic and content lead for all WordsWork clients, Neha excels at client service and consistently exceeds expectations. She established WordsWork in 2009 and has quickly led impactful communications campaigns across lifestyle, corporate, public diplomacy, and sports sectors. With a strong background in sports, Neha has represented the Indian Olympic Association and several national federations, including those for Hockey and Football. Her extensive experience includes managing public diplomacy efforts for the Embassy of the Netherlands – Foreign Investment Agency and the Embassy of France. She has also directed thought leadership campaigns for Thomson Reuters and the PHD Chamber of Commerce. Neha’s public relations career began at Genesis Burson-Marsteller in India and continued with Burson-Marsteller in London. 31st July 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Tarunjeet Rattan (Special Series)

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Managing Partner, Nucleus PR Founder, PRPOI Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Tarunjeet Rattan – Preeti Juneja Q. What motivated you to pursue a career in PR? Tell us your story. Storytelling and the possibility of telling more stories that create an impact motivated me to join PR. Like most people from my generation, PR was a happy discovery for me once I joined mass communication. It was an aberration from the army of engineers and doctors produced by science streams from my graduating year. Once I entered the industry, I was fascinated by the impact PR can create. As a science geek fascinated by the nuances of communication, I was fortunate to have good mentors who taught me the ropes and I went through my baptism by fire in the industry. I have taken these learnings and imbibed them into my venture – Nucleus PR and other industry initiatives like PRPOI, and networks I am a part of like PRBI and PRCAI, where I endeavour to create a better community and industry for talent to work in. Q In your view, how is PR and Digital Marketing related? Both PR and digital Marketing shadow each other. Both deal with creating perceptions and impacting consumer behavior. However, they differ in terms of their overall purpose. While Digital Marketing aims to create visibility with the right target audiences and moments, PR endeavours to build brand trust and reputation. When both work together, they can create real brand impact. Q. What are the best practices for posting news on social media? While there are umpteen articles you will find on this subject on the internet, my experience has helped me collate these 3 ground rules that you can follow on amplifying news Understand the medium you post the news on and craft a relevant hook that works for that platform’s audience. For example, LinkedIn requires a different hook than Twitter/ X. Be respectful of the news outlets’ efforts. Each one has worked hard on their story and has served their readers. They will share the stories with readers according to their preferences. So, if this is behind a paywall, don’t take screenshots of the story and post them. You can take a screenshot of the headline as it is visible on the paywall page and post it. Please share a link with your followers and let them decide whether they want to pay for the story. Acknowledge the news outlet and journalist on the post with tags Q. Do you have a role model within your industry who has inspired you? How has that person influenced and inspired you? I have been fortunate to have strong women leaders who have chosen to give me their time to mentor me. As an industry, we deal with people and the perceptions that people make. While it is easier to deal with the latter, what exhausts you is the first one. Burnout is a common challenge in our industry, as the demands of managing interpersonal relationships can become overwhelming for many professionals. So, learning was essential to survive and thrive in the business. While I have had a lot of good people from brands I worked with, journalists who interacted with me and PR teams I worked with, friends and colleagues, family and friends who shared their expertise with me, motivated me and furthered my understanding of ‘people’ in the ‘people business’, two individuals have had a profound impact on me – Lorraine Mendes and Deepshikha Dharmaraj. Both these mentors have had a huge influence on understanding people and dealing with them. They continue to inspire me with their journey. Q. What advice would you offer to young individuals interested in joining this profession? There is so much I can say about this question! But instead, let me share 5 pertinent evergreen pieces of advice that will help them in the future. PR is a strategic communications field that requires a deep understanding and nuanced analysis of human behaviour and societal impact. Three skills that will always give you the edge – reading, writing, listening EQ is a worthwhile skill to develop Identify and work with a mentor periodically who will help you upskill to the next level A PR job does not demand a mass communication degree. It requires adaptability, learnability, and a great attitude. Everything else is teachable. For more, I will direct their attention to PRPOI – India’s largest PR community that is dedicated to upskilling professionals continuously. Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Tarunjeet Rattan ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com About Author Tarunjeet Rattan Tarunjeet has dedicated over two decades to the field of communication, encompassing PR, journalism, and events. Her journey began in premier agencies and corporate houses, but she soon ventured into entrepreneurship, founding the highly regarded boutique firm, Nucleus PR. Through her work, Tarunjeet has amplified the voice of the PR community and furthered this impact by establishing Public Relations Professionals of India (PRPOI), a dynamic 10,000-strong community focused on upskilling the industry. As a board member of the esteemed global PRBI network of founder-led boutique agencies, she has made significant contributions on an international scale. Her exceptional work in PR, industry contributions, and entrepreneurial achievements have earned her numerous awards over the past two decades. This year, for the fourth time, she was named the ‘Top Influencer in the country’ in PR by a leading publication. Recognized as a PR expert, her insights are frequently sought after by the media. With a degree in Mass Communication and Digital Marketing from prestigious Indian institutions, Tarunjeet is also an NLP practitioner. She uses her skills to delve into conversations, simplify communication, and build strong brand reputations. As a thought leader, she blends her expertise in communication marketing, branding, digital, industry insight, and research with her passion for storytelling to enhance brand reputations. Her extensive experience and data-driven insights have helped her cultivate a strong reputation among her impressive roster of clients 24th July 2024

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Priyadarshani Sharma(Special Series)

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Communications Lead – Roche Diagnostics India and Neighbouring Markets Member, WICCI PR and Digital Marketing Council Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Priyadarshani Sharma – Preeti Juneja Q. What motivated you to pursue a career in PR? Tell us your story. Everyone has a story, and I get to be a part of it. PR also offered me a profession without any specific vertical/ industry boundaries. In my 19 years, I have worked across a wide spectrum of industries, and that has helped me gain a working knowledge of each of them—technology, hospitality, pharma, logistics, and real estate. It has allowed me to gain a peripheral vision of how these industries interact with the larger macroeconomic picture and helps me join the dots. Q In your view, how is PR and Digital Marketing related? In today’s world, these lines are blurring more and more, especially when discussing B2C. We go where the audience is, and most are on either social media platforms or accessing digital platforms for all their needs, from health to banking to shopping. The difference is in the objective of the communicator and that shapes the storytelling irrespective of the platform. Q. What are the best practices for posting news on social media? When it comes to posting news, one must follow the 5W & 1H – who, what, when, where, why and how—again going back to the objective of sharing ‘news’ to ‘inform’ a specific audience and what we expect this audience to do with this information. Given the nature of social media, what changes is how we deliver it. To begin with, it needs to be catchy, creative, crisp, etc. The great thing about social media is that it allows you to target specific audiences to deliver the same ‘news’ to different audiences customized to their behaviour patterns/preferences for consuming news. Q. Do you have a role model within your industry who has inspired you? How has that person influenced and inspired you? I have been extremely lucky to have worked closely with not one but several inspiring leaders – from PR and outside. The lessons I have learnt from them have helped shape who I am today – as a professional and human being. I carry with me the lessons of humility, authenticity, evergreen curiosity and patience that I hope will help me pay forward to the community what I have received from my seniors. Q. What advice would you offer to young individuals interested in joining this profession? We are living in very exciting times. There is a lot of disruption and promise of more with technology pushing boundaries and opening new vistas. My advice to young professionals would be to stay curious and embrace change. Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Priyadarshani Sharma ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com About Author Priyadarshani Sharma Experienced integrated communication expert with a keen eye for detail and over 19 years of experience. Specializing in designing communication strategies that deliver measurable results through creative storytelling. Senior-level advisor skilled in managing issues and change, enhancing media presence, and boosting employee engagement. Priyadarshani has been promoted to Communications Lead for Roche Diagnostics India and Neighboring Markets. Having been with Roche for 5 years, she previously served as the Cluster Communications Head for India, the Middle East, and Africa (IMEA). In her previous role, she led internal and external communications for over 75 countries within the IMEA region. Industries served: Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Information Technology, Logistics, Education, and Non-Government Organizations. 17th July 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Deepa Dey (On World PR Day)

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Head Communication & Sustainability, Nutrition and Special Projects at Hindustan Unilever Limited Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Deepa Dey – Preeti Juneja Q. What motivated you to pursue a career in PR? Tell us your story. My career in comms was totally unplanned, and the decision to join PR was also sudden. In fact, when I joined, I was not even aware of the discipline and what it entails. After doing my Masters in English, I was keen to pursue journalism and was working as a stringer with The Economic Times in Calcutta while doing my MPhil. The need to be self-reliant pushed me to join Amrita Bazaar Patrika as a part of their relaunch team. Soon, I learned that The Statesman was hiring, and I applied and was among the four people selected. At this juncture, I got a call from a headhunter who told me about the opening at The Park Hotels. I went for the interview and was offered the job – someone decided to take a punt on a newbie, and there I was! And here I am! Q In your view, how is PR and Digital Marketing related? I prefer to look at this question differently. Instead of looking at it from the input side, which is what this question is trying to do, I prefer to look at it from the other side – what is the best route for the message to land well with the stakeholder? It is best to start with what the expectation is from the comms outreach – is it product/service uptake, awareness generation, or issue management? Once that is defined, the route to take there will be easy. For a startup that wants to focus on product uptake, it is best to use digital platforms to do performance marketing and not worry about large format stories in pink paper. But for a company that wants to bring about policy changes to support business growth, large format stories and edit pieces are critical. Insta reels may not necessarily help in that space. It is always better to clearly articulate what “win” looks like before choosing the pathway towards it. Q. What are the best practices for posting news on social media? News in today’s world is emerging from smart devices connected to the ubiquitous network. Everyone is documenting the world around and sharing this. Various social media platforms that we use are, inadvertently, becoming aggregators of these contents. Algorithms are pushing content to us, and we are all living in a bubble. In a world like this, companies and brands have limited options for “posting” news. The current focus should be to shape the ‘views’ – through a set of outreaches including media and influencer engagement. These would include direct contact programmes, information dissemination through company own assets, compassionate & efficient consumer care, authentic engagement with shareholders / regulators etc. Q. Do you have a role model within your industry who has inspired you? How has that person influenced and inspired you? A day that I don’t learn, is a day wasted. I am privileged to have had many inspiring bosses, peers, and agency partners. With my deepest gratitude I share a few names – this is just a sampler – the menu is very large. We should be grateful to have had excellent role models in Prema Sagar, Madan Bahl and Dilip Cherian who have paved the way for us. Among my peers I have deep respect for Meenu Handa, Senjam Rajshekhar, Rachana Panda, Leslie McGibbon, Helen Wailes, Parul Kumar, Phil Thompson, Maria Potter, Bernadette Murdoch, Colin DSilva, Minari Shah, for the stature and strategy that they have infused into PR in India and overseas. For Nitin Mantri, Rakesh Thukral, Amit Mishra, Deepshikha Dharmaraj, Aseem Sood and Vandana Sandhir – I hold a special place in my journey – they have been dear friends and astute professionals. I am deeply honoured to have worked (and partied!) with Natasha Pal, Vijay Chako, Zeenat Khan, Sangita Kuriakose, Rikhil Seth, Dolly Tayal, Atul Sharma, Divya Bakshi, Kuheli Roy, Sakshi Mathur, Sindhu Manivannan, Sashikant Someshwar, Tarundeep Singh, Rupa Nair, Tanya DeSousa, Shaoli Das, Kinshuk Gupta, Divya Bahri and my all my ‘Dare Devils’ from Airtel. These are great professionals, and they are my people. My biggest champion and teacher in the profession has been also my ‘life’ coach – Nikhil Dey – I learn from him every day in so many ways. And I must mention one other! Q. What advice would you offer to young individuals interested in joining this profession? The sweet spot is the one between Content & Context. Understand the latter. Train yourself to raise the bar of the former. Be brave, and mighty forces will come to your aid. Always be kind. Lead with empathy. Work smart. Party Hard. Cause nothing is promised. Not even a day. Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Deepa Dey ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com About Author Deepa Dey Deepa Dey, an integrated communication, sustainability, and advocacy professional with over 30 years of experience, started her career as a journalist with a pink paper in Kolkata while pursuing her Master’s in English Literature. Deepa’s career has spanned diverse industries, from infrastructure to consumer healthcare, showcasing her adaptability and versatility. She has held leadership positions at renowned companies such as The Park, SpiceJet, Airtel, GSK, and HUL. In addition to communication, she has worked on Online Reputation Management, Advocacy, CSR / sustainability, Culture building and large-scale change management for industry-defining M&As (GSK-Novartis; GSK-Pfizer, GSK-Unilever). She is a practising Mental Health Champion and an LGBTQI+ ally at her current organisation. In addition to this, she is passionate about mentoring and has been actively mentoring organisations and individual mentees for over four years. She also received many industry awards, including the Maestro Award – 2023 (E4M), Lifetime Achievement Award -2022 (E4M), and the Top Comms Professionals in India (Reputation Today – 2017, 2020) & Exchange4Media (2022). Deepa

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Jyotsna Dash Nanda (Special Series)

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AVP, Corporate Communications, DS Group Co-originator, CommsAdda Specialties: Strategic counsel for senior management Issues management and crisis communications Media training and messaging workshops Editorial writing Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Jyotsna Dash Nanda – Preeti Juneja Q. What motivated you to pursue a career in PR? Tell us your story. In my first year of postgraduate studies, my roommate landed a spot in the prestigious English journalism program at IIMC. She decided to forgo her original postgraduate plans and pursue this new path. By the time we finished our post-graduation, she had already landed herself a job! Her success was a huge inspiration for me and the easiest way to avoid my parents’ pressure to get married! Thus began my journey in IIMC. While I enjoyed all the classes and excelled in some areas, like audio-visual journalism, my heart belonged to PR. Ms. Jaishri Jethwaney’s classes truly resonated with me and gave wings to my desire to pursue a career in this dynamic field, and I have never regretted it. Q In your view, how is PR and Digital Marketing related? While Public Relations (PR) and digital marketing are distinct disciplines, they share a symbiotic relationship in shaping a brand’s image and audience reach. PR fosters positive relationships with the public through earned media coverage, such as press releases, media outreach, social media engagement, and crisis communication. On the other hand, digital marketing leverages paid and owned media channels to promote the brand and its offerings. It encompasses strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), social media advertising, email marketing, and content marketing. The true power lies in the synergy between these two forces. PR efforts can generate organic interest and establish credibility, which becomes the perfect springboard for amplifying the message through digital marketing campaigns. For instance, a well-crafted press release secured by a PR team about a new product launch can be strategically shared on social media platforms, exponentially increasing its reach. Likewise, positive online reviews cultivated through PR efforts can significantly bolster the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns, such as a targeted social media campaign. In essence, PR and digital marketing are complementary forces. Combined effectively, they create a robust and comprehensive brand communication strategy that fosters brand awareness, builds trust, and ultimately drives success. Q. What are the best practices for posting news on social media? To win on social media with your news: Prioritize accuracy and target the right platform with engaging content. Tailor your posts to each platform, using visuals and hashtags effectively. Keep your audience in mind, be transparent, and consistently post at optimal times to maximize reach and spark conversations. On LinkedIn, Weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm (focus on mornings for written content, afternoons for videos) works best. On Twitter, Weekdays, mid-mornings (around 9 am) and evenings (between 7- 8 pm), while Instagram, its weekdays, mid-mornings (around 11 am) and afternoons (around 2 pm) get maximum traction. Q. Do you have a role model within your industry who has inspired you? How has that person influenced and inspired you? I am incredibly inspired by women leaders like Indra Nooyi, who have shattered glass ceilings. Her journey from a humble background to becoming the CEO of PepsiCo is a testament to hard work, resilience, and strategic thinking. It’s inspiring to see someone break barriers and redefine what’s possible. Q. What advice would you offer to young individuals interested in joining this profession? Based on my own experiences, I have a simple five-thumb rule for all aspiring and budding PR professionals that they should follow/be aware of: The Power of Storytelling is a fundamental tool in PR. Our brains are naturally wired for stories, making the creation of compelling narratives about your clients or organization a powerful method for engaging your audience. When these stories resonate with your audience, they can build trust, connection, and a positive brand perception. Mastering the Multi-Channel World: Gone are the days of a single, unified message reaching everyone. Today’s audiences are fragmented across many platforms—from social media to streaming services to niche online communities. Understanding how each platform functions and the types of communication that resonate there is crucial. Strategically choosing the right channels for your message plays a vital role in its effectiveness. Data-Driven Communication: Effective PR goes beyond simply creating a good story. Data analytics empowers you to measure the success of your campaigns and gain valuable insights into your target audience. Learning to interpret and translate data into actionable insights will allow you to craft targeted communication strategies and measure their real-world impact. Crisis Communication: The Art of Empathy and Transparency: Issues can spread like wildfire in the digital age. Navigating a crisis with clear, concise, and empathetic communication is essential. Adaptability is a key trait in the ever-evolving landscape of communication. With new technologies and emerging trends, the ability to learn and adapt is crucial for long-term success in PR. Embracing change and continuously expanding your skillset will ensure you stay relevant and valuable in this dynamic environment. About Author Jyotsna Dash Nanda With nearly 23 years in public relations and marketing communications, Jyotsna Dash Nanda has excelled in crisis communications, media relations, media training, and internal communications. Her extensive experience covers various industries, including consumer durables, banking, finance, services, technology, automotive, healthcare, and education. She has also reported on health and civic issues for The Times of India in Lucknow. Before joining the Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and leading FMCG conglomerate, she spent nine years at Perfect Relations. 10th July 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Jyotsna Dash Nanda ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Garima Anand

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Ranked among the Top 3 in FITTR’s Transformation Challenge Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Garima Anand – Preeti Juneja Q. What inspired you to take fitness seriously? It was my deteriorating health, including knee issues, being overweight, anxiety, and depression. I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror. Three years ago, I was suffering from major anxiety issues, even had to get hospitalized in the middle of the night. I was undergoing extensive counseling sessions when my doctor asked me what I enjoyed most. I told him I liked going to the gym and listening to music. He encouraged me to start doing those activities again, and since then, there has been no looking back. Q What kind of pushback did you encounter from family and friends during your fitness journey? Fortunately, I haven’t faced any resistance from my family. My husband, kids, and mother-in-law were incredibly supportive throughout my journey. They simply wanted me to find happiness and overcome my anxiety issues. My fitness journey began with the support of my husband. He’s a fitness enthusiast himself and has always encouraged me to prioritize health and fitness. I’ve received immense support from him throughout this journey. Not a day went by without me hitting the gym. I was dedicated to my workouts, and my diet was always on point with no cheat meals whatsoever. I was committed to achieving my goals, no matter what. In fact, he was the one who told my kids, “This is your mom’s ‘me time’ at the gym, and you shouldn’t disturb her. If she has to go, it means she has to be in the gym. Don’t give her any work during that time.” Q. How did you overcome the naysayers to sustain your passion for fitness? This was the most challenging aspect of my fitness journey because of the numerous judgments I faced. When I was overweight, people would call me names like “Pehelwan,” “Lambichori,” or say, “You’ve become quite healthy.” And when I began my journey, they questioned why I exercised so much, asking, “Do you want to become like a man?” My husband and coach were there to support and guide me. They advised me to simply ignore naysayers, and let them say what they want. To overcome the naysayers, simply ignore them and let them say what they want. Just smile back at them. I’d say, stay focused, disciplined, and consistent, no matter what obstacles come your way. Q. How are you inspiring others around you to embrace fitness? I am currently a certified diet and workout consultant, providing personalized diet and workout plans to my clients. People in my community see my discipline in the gym and observe the way I work out. Whether or not I inspire them, they definitely take notice. I’ve been sharing my workout videos and reels on social media. People often approach me, seeking tips and asking about my transformation journey. Q. What common myths about fitness would you like to debunk? A common myth in women’s fitness is the fear that working out will make them look huge and manly. This is not true. Women who work out will become stronger and more curvaceous, and while they will gain muscle, they will not look manly. Also, there’s a common misconception that going to the gym alone will lead to weight loss and fat loss. The truth is, the key factor is maintaining a proper diet. To lose fat, you must create a calorie deficit, while for weight gain, you need to be in a calorie surplus. So, both diet and strength training are crucial components of your fitness journey. Rapid-Fire: Energy food you recommend the most Good protein rich diet 2. Food you must avoid at all costs: All kind of packaged food at the store counter 3. 5 must-have things at home to get you started: – Fitness goal – Strength Training – Balanced and Discipline routine – Quantified Diet – Good sleep / Good recovery time 4. Your advice for 40-plus women? It’s important for all women to incorporate strength training alongside cardio into their fitness routine, along with a balanced diet and adequate protein intake. It helps in, – Boosting bone density – Enhancing functional movement – Weight maintenance – Muscle rebuilding – Promoting good mental health – Combatting osteoporosis, which often occurs post-menopause. 5. Quick snack to keep in your bag? – Bananas – Boiled eggs – Salad – Soya chunks About Author Garima Anand Certified by the Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences, Garima Anand now offers diet and workout fitness consultancy from home. A homemaker turned fitness enthusiast, she inspires many people eager to transform their lives just like she did. If she doesn’t inspire, nothing can. 5th June 2024 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Inspiring Women More Interviews Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Do you have a question for Garima Anand ? Write to us at preeti.juneja@dreamwebindia.com Published by preetidwindia I’m an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, and a blogger. I work to help companies, brands, people with marketing strategies. I envision everyone having a blog of their own. My efforts are focused on this vision. For this, I help my audience with blog set-up, content creation, and content marketing. View all posts by preetidwindia

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Sharon Samuel Ahmed

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My mission: To help 1 million people achieve holistic weight transformation through Keto Diet and Intermittent Fasting methods. Sharon’s inspiration to help people lose weight stems from her own struggles with obesity, diabetes, emotional eating, fatigue, and low energy, which she battled for over 25 years. Like millions, she tried many weight loss diets only to regain the weight after stopping them. She successfully lost 20 kgs of stubborn fat in just 6 months and was able to stop her diabetes medication. This transformation elevated her self-confidence, self-love, energy levels, and overall outlook on life. She has already helped over 100 people not only lose weight but also achieve holistic and sustainable health.  Weight loss goes beyond just counting calories or exercising for hours every day. Sharon Samuel Ahmed In her program, Sharon targets the root causes of obesity through her 3 Step Weight Loss Framework and her Weight Transformation Journey Blueprint, both are scientific and proven methods for sustainable fat loss. Sharon works as a consultant with Transform Rural India, part of the Strategic and Programme Assistance Unit for DAY_NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. She provides policy and strategic support to achieve 1 lakh+ annual income for 8 crore+ rural women in SHGs, designs and drives “The Prajjwala Challenge,” and leads capacity building for SRLMs and local functionaries. Previously, she worked with Hand in Hand India, overseeing projects in North Indian states and building partnerships for new programs. She also served as a technical advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and has extensive experience with organizations like Vodafone Foundation, Child Rights and You (CRY), SRIJAN, and PRADAN Let’s Get Inspired In Conversation with Sharon Samuel Ahmed – Preeti Juneja Q. What inspired you to take fitness seriously? My inspiration to take fitness seriously stemmed from my painful journey with obesity. At one point, I weighed nearly 100 kilograms and faced numerous health issues, including fatigue, low energy, cravings for sugary sweets, and eventually type II diabetes. I was on the verge of developing glaucoma, but fortunately, I was diagnosed in time to save my vision. Despite trying calorie-restrictive diets and intense exercise routines, I found little success. It left me feeling demotivated and frustrated, and the impact began seeping into my professional and personal life. I desperately wanted to “look good,” “wear the clothes of my choice,” and above all, “feel healthy.” Over time, I became a victim of the emotional side effects of obesity—self-hatred, lack of self-belief, emotional eating, anxiety, and possibly even depression. As my stress levels increased, so did my weight. I sought solace in food, relying on the dopamine effect of my favourite foods for temporary relief. However, this was only a fleeting comfort, and after indulging, I would blame myself for giving in to my emotional eating habits. There came a point when I lost all hope and believed I had to live with my situation for the rest of my life. This emotional turmoil began affecting my professional life as well, leading to self-doubt, an inferiority complex, and a tendency to blame myself for everything negative that happened. My turning point came when I joined the “Passionpreneur Movement” by Dev Gadhvi, who has learnt from his mentors like Sifu Dan Lok and Tony Robbins, undergone Vipasana several times and is on a mission to transform 1 billion lives. I am a part of Dev Gadhvi’s inner circle community, and I dedicate my mental and emotional transformation to what I have learned during this time. In one of the sessions, we were asked, “What is your purpose in life? What are you passionate about? What would you love to do? How would you like to change lives? What impact would you like to bring to people’s lives?” I realized I had no answers. I still felt a vacuum despite spending almost 22 years in the social development sector, working at the grassroots, funding, and policy levels. I struggled to find passion in my work and couldn’t associate my answers with what I had been doing for years. Then, a statement during the program struck me deeply: “Most movements emerge from the injustice or pain that someone has felt, and these movements are there to bring about a change in that inequality of pain.” The examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela resonated with me. I realized that the pain I had endured due to obesity wasn’t just physical but also emotional and mental. That’s when I decided to create change not only for myself but also to help others overcome the complex pain of obesity. I decided to lead by example, demonstrating the changes I advocated. I knew the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting for physical weight loss, and I spent months studying and understanding these areas to develop a holistic solution. I also earned a “Keto and Intermittent Fasting Coach” certification from Dr. Eric Berg, DC. I studied intermittent fasting through Dr. Jason Fung, MD’s training and books, both pioneers in their fields. I deeply understood that weight loss is not solely about shedding pounds but achieving a holistic transformation. It’s about losing weight from your mind, heart, and body. Through practices of gratitude, meditation, affirmations, and a comprehensive approach, I overcame my emotional and mental struggles. I found the best solution for physical weight loss by combining keto and intermittent fasting with exercise. Today, I am on a mission to transform 1 million lives by advocating for a comprehensive approach to well-being that encompasses emotional and mental health alongside physical health. This holistic transformation is about looking good and feeling good, inside and out. Q What kind of pushback did you encounter from family and friends during your fitness journey? Whenever you aim to bring about change through unconventional methods, it is initially met with resistance. This is true for any new idea or disruption that challenges widely accepted norms. Today, also, despite remarkable and proven results

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