Meet Narendra Saraf

We were lucky to catch up with Narendra Saraf recently and have shared our conversation below.

Narendra, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Life is a the most precious gift anyone can ever receive. Although it is a most precious gift, core of this gift is made out of IF!!!!!!!
There’s always a big if , no matter at what point you are in your life. This can either take you to the pinnacles of success or you may hit the rock bottom. This IF is the unknown. However, instead of focusing on unknown and I always chose to focus on known and that is my ability to do my share. Instead of focusing on “What if…..” we need to invest our energy on what I am supposed to do.

I came to the United States 20 years ago. I was not able to speak English fluently neither could I understand the dialect. I was sitting home without work, without education.
I wasn’t sure, how? but I was determined that I will get out of this situation.

I slowly started studying for TOEFL(Test of English as Foreign language, I started observing people, their dialect, their tone of voice. At the same time, I started studying for a certification as a Certified Fitness trainer. I completed the course and became a Certified Fitness Trainer, Then I completed a certification as a Fitness Therapist, both from International Sports and Science Association, CA. Later I completed my Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from University of Northern Colorado, CO. Started my Ph.D. in exercise physiology at UNC. I got the opportunity to switch for Doctor of Physiology. Finally in 2012 I completed my Doctor of Physical therapy from Regis uUniversity, CO.

Finally, a guy who was not able to understand and or speak the language fluently, was able to put Dr. behind his name.

Dr. Narendra Saraf DPT,MS,PT.WTA,FT,CFT

This is what I call resilience.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Along with being a physical therapist, exercise physiologist, certified fitness trainer, fitness therapist and wound training associate, I am an artist; I do pencil, charcoal and soft pastels paintings. I also love learning new things. Learning new things is the only way to keep the brain sharp and enhance quality of life after 35.

The real joy of life is in giving not taking or receiving. My greatest achievement is when my patients tell me,” Doc my back pain is gone!!!!!”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

There are 4 qualities which are most important to live successful life as a human beings.
IQ- intelligent Quotient – how smart you are with solving problems
SQ- social quotient- socially are you able to connect with new people and able to maintain relationships.
EQ- Emotional quotient -are you able to connect with other people emotionally
AQ- adversary Quotient- are you resilient in difficult situations in life.

The last one is the newly discovered via research and that is LQ- learnability quotient- your ability to learn new things in life after the age of 35. This will enhance your brain connections and help improve quality of life.

Hence the most important quality is guys…. “keep learning new things no matter how old you get!!!!!”

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

“Kite Runner”….. made a big impact on me and made realize that never quit trying no matter how hard it gets also never forget your past , no matter how successful you become. Also, the most important lesson I learned from my father was Always stay down to earth and help as many people as you can. Remember the real joy is in “giving”.

Image Credits

Narendra Saraf