Meet Furwa Hussain

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Furwa Hussain a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

FURWA , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Finding my purpose early in life was probably one of the biggest blessings in shaping my course of life.

I’ll enter my very first job as a teacher at seventeen. It was not so much a choice as a calling for me. Almost immediately, I saw how that bond with children- kindergartners, my peers, or students a couple of ages older than me-was something I shared. Teaching was providing knowledge, of course, but it was also meeting young souls where they are and guiding them toward their potential while learning from their boundless curiosity.

What captured excitement in my life was how children saw us. A child’s gaze is pure; it does not know the self-doubt and judgment that we often heap upon ourselves. It reflects back to us a kinder, simpler, and more possibility-filled version of ourselves. That perspective became a fountain for inspiration in me to teach and embrace the beauty of these children’s innocence and wisdom.

Simultaneously, experiences of life in my own life carved another layer of purpose. Growing up with the burden of discovering my mother struggling with sanity set in me the yearning-a longing-to understand and care for the mind even my own. Nurturing oneself is the beginning of nurturing others and realizes that the heart of teaching is not just what you give but what it means for you.

The binding thread of that purpose-teaching and mental well-being-became the foundation of all that I do. It reminds one that even the hurdles we face might well plant the seeds of some of our best gifts.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a passionate educator, a mental health advocate, and a wellness consultant who seeks to combine education and therapy and learning and growth. In the course of my career over the past 17 years, I have worked in many different environments-from the chaotic streets of New York City to the isolated villages of Northern Pakistan-empowering individuals and communities.

I began my career as a teacher and have found my niche with children and young adults where I make environments conducive to learning. Over time, my idea of learning has now converted into wider issues of how people learn to be emotionally competent and more mentally healthy, everything from classrooms into everyday life.

ZenED, the organization that I also founded, took this mission-and propagated by building wellness programs that train mindfulness, meditation, and holistic approaches to cultural sensitivity. My approach rests deeply in combining ancient wisdom and modern strategies to provide transforming experiences that propel both profession and personal life alike.

Whether holding workshops, teaching courses on self-love, building curricula, or consulting nonprofits, my work is articulated by the fact that any change worth its salt starts in the mind and bubbles outside to build stronger and more compassionate communities.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three of the most powerful transformative qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that scalded my journey:

1. Empathy and Cultural Sensitivity
Early in my career, the education that came home to me was meeting people where they are-emotionally, culturally, and intellectually. Diverse growing up and working with numerous communities taught me about listening more deeply before replying with understanding. Empathy isn’t about feeling for someone; it is offering space where people like to feel seen, heard, and valued.

2. Adaptability and Resilience
Both life and work provided challenges-from little ones to complicated matters concerning mental health talk to program development in under-resourced territories. Each of the instances in my life has trained me to know flexibility and the greatness of a pivot while still grounded in purpose. Resilience is not endurance; it transforms barriers into opportunities for advancement.

3. Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Whether it is a classroom of five-year-olds, or a corporate wellness program, there are those who believe that curiosity fuels all creativity and connectivity. My willingness to learn in the various practices of meditation, yogic philosophy, or cultural exchanges has enriched not only my knowledge but more so my creativity on inspiring others.

For the young ones starting their journey:

1. Active Empathy Practice
Make time to learn the other person- about really understanding them in whatever your working with: whether through listening, observation, or asking good questions. Empathy is a learned skill; however, it’s one of those things that will elevate everything you do.
2. Adversity to Growth
There: big surprise, that will be more impressive on your shoulders. What is worth the most in the end will come through doing that which is left out of someone else’s experience. One challenge appears to affect almost everyone, if not entirely everyone: all things must end. It is an inauspicious truth in life that some things do end. Adversity is ever-present in the proof of every man.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely, collaboration is at the heart of what I do. I’m always looking to partner with individuals and organizations who share a passion for creating meaningful, transformative change.

I’m particularly interested in collaborating with:

1. Corporate Leaders and HR Professionals – Companies looking to prioritize employee well-being and mental health through culturally sensitive, holistic wellness programs.

2. Educators and School Administrators – Those seeking to integrate emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and mental health practices into their classrooms or professional development programs.

3. Nonprofits and Community Organizations – Groups dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities, especially those focused on mental health, education, or wellness.

4. Universities and Higher Education Institutions – I’m exploring partnerships to bring ZenED’s corporate wellness services to faculty, staff, and students.

5. People of South Asian Diaspora – Who are trying to create safe spaces and innovative wellness practices to take away the stigma of mental health in our community.

I’m drawn to collaborators who value authenticity, cultural sensitivity, and innovation, and who are open to approaches rooted in mindfulness, Buddhist/Sufi philosophy, and holistic practices. Together, we can design programs that nurture both individual well-being and community resilience.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to connect! You can reach me at [email protected] or through my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furwa-hussain-aa7040170.

Let’s explore how we can create something meaningful together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @garamcreations
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furwa-hussain-aa7040170