Varsha Chawla shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Varsha, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Many of us are carrying the mental load of motherhood, work, raising children, and supporting aging parents all at the same time. This conversation is finally gaining more visibility, but many of us still struggle to delegate, ask for help, or prioritize our own energy and sleep so we can truly show up for others. The more openly we talk about this, the more momentum it can create, both on a personal level and, hopefully, at a broader cultural and policy level.
As a mom, female founder, and marathon runner, the mental load is a constant presence in my life. I have learned how to juggle a lot, though it is rarely seamless or graceful. While I am grateful to have access to resources and support, parenting a child with a learning disability alongside my own personal and professional goals can still feel overwhelming at times.
I share many of the ways I navigate the mental load of motherhood and perimenopause on my blog, wellandgreat.com. That same lived experience also informed the creation of Glim Wellness, which grew out of years of coaching as a certified holistic health coach and a desire for tools that genuinely support energy and sleep, without the noise or excess of the wellness industry.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a certified health coach, ex-engineer, and founder of Glim Wellness. I started this brand after years of dealing with fatigue, brain fog, acne, PMS, and all the frustrating ups and downs so many women face.
I started Glim Wellness because, like so many women, I’ve been there. After struggling with fatigue, acne, brain fog, joint pain, mood swings, PMS, and stubborn weight fluctuations, I decided to become a certified health coach. Through that journey, I not only healed myself, but helped others do the same. Along the way, I discovered a simple truth: at some point, almost all of us struggle with energy and sleep, especially during times of stress or hormonal change.
The wellness world can feel overwhelming, full of products and promises pulling us in every direction. I wanted to simplify things. I wanted to create something that genuinely supports women’s well-being without the confusion. That’s why I developed a line of functional drink blends for energy and sleep support, crafted with organic, premium ingredients, fair-trade cacao, science-backed nutrients, and thoughtfully chosen adaptogens and herbs that truly work.
Why swallow pills or chew sugar-filled gummies when you can enjoy a nourishing, comforting ritual instead? I’ve always loved cacao and herbal tea, so I set out to create the very best versions of both. Blends that help restore balance, boost energy, and support deep, restful sleep naturally. Because you deserve more than a cold, bitter pill. You deserve something that feels just as good as it is good for you.
The word “Glim” comes from Dutch and means to glow, shine, or shimmer. It’s a nod to my Dutch heritage. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, and the word perfectly captures what I want for all of us. Not just to get through life, but to move through it with energy, sparkle, and a radiant glow that comes from within.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that deeply shaped how I see the world was my transition into motherhood, something I had dreamed about since I was five years old, inspired by my own incredible mom. What I was not prepared for was how rocky that journey would be. I endured two very difficult labors, an extra hour of surgery, a blood transfusion the next morning, and weeks of painful recovery, followed by postpartum depression and near total sleep deprivation with a colicky baby who barely let me rest. At the same time, I was navigating a child with allergies, supporting an entrepreneurial spouse while living far from family, and trying to hold myself together as my body and mind felt unfamiliar. Fatigue, burnout, bloating, weight gain, mood swings, and a constant sense of being foggy became my baseline. My mom stayed with me for a week, friends brought casseroles, and my husband helped whenever he could, but there was little language or support around mental health back then. The postpartum screening forms we see today did not exist, and having grown up watching immigrant women in my family push through exhaustion without complaint, I assumed that was simply what strong mothers did. I had extra unpaid maternity leave, a healthy baby, and so much gratitude, so I told myself I had no right to struggle. Years later, I can see how profoundly that season shaped my empathy, my priorities, and my passion for supporting women who feel depleted. That lived experience ultimately inspired Glim Wellness, not as a replacement for mental health care, but as one small way to support energy, rest, and sleep for women, especially mothers in the thick of it. It was created for a past version of me, and with hope, for a future version of others too. 💜
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: keep going, and trust yourself more than the noise around you. Care less about what other people think and more about what actually makes you feel strong, grounded, and alive. Nourish your body well, lift heavy things, and stay disciplined, not out of punishment, but out of respect for what your body can carry you through. Laugh more, loosen your grip on perfection, and do not take yourself so seriously, because joy is not a distraction from success, it is part of it. Stay present for the moments that matter, even the messy ones, because that combination of perseverance, curiosity, and care is what ultimately leads to real health and a life that feels fully lived. Oh, and run those fast paces while you’re still young!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Where I think smart people are getting it wrong today is in letting hustle culture define success while consistently putting their own well-being last. We optimize calendars, careers, and productivity, yet neglect the basics that actually sustain long-term performance and health. While policy and large-scale health systems clearly need significant reform, meaningful progress does not have to wait for top-down change. Small, intentional shifts in daily habits can go a long way. Prioritizing energy over exhaustion, building and maintaining muscle, protecting sleep hygiene, and allowing ourselves real time to rest are not indulgences, they are foundations. At the same time, our food supply and the way we think about nourishment need serious rethinking, because no amount of ambition can compensate for bodies that are under-fueled, under-rested, and overextended.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Today, I am investing in things that future me will quietly thank me for years from now. I strength train and prioritize mobility not for immediate results, but to protect my bones, joints, and independence well into midlife and beyond. I fuel my body with intention, nourishing it in ways that support hormonal health and prepare me for menopause rather than reacting once symptoms appear. At the same time, I am building a wellness company with patience and purpose, one designed to care for women, and especially mothers, across seasons of life when energy, rest, and support are often in short supply. None of this offers instant gratification, but all of it is rooted in longevity, resilience, and the belief that sustainable health and meaningful impact are built slowly, consistently, and with deep respect for the long game.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glimwellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glimwellness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varshachawla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlimWellness/
Image Credits
Kathy Howard Portrait
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