We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anand Sukhadia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Anand, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Not only have I learned to be successful and effective when I am the only one in the room who looks like me, but I’ve also learned to thrive as the only one who thinks like me. Let me explain…
I grew up in Staten Island, NY, as the 2nd generation son of immigrant parents from India. Throughout my childhood, I was often the only Indian person in my school, which led to a bit of an identity crisis. Around my Indian family, I didn’t feel fully Indian (a sentiment that was pointed out whenever I visited extended family in India), and around my American classmates and friends, I didn’t feel fully American. For a long time, I felt like I didn’t belong to any group. This identity confusion made me more of a follower than a leader, as I avoided ruffling feathers. I grew up lacking confidence, yet I knew deep down that there was a spark of greatness within me.
This inner conflict pushed me to discover the world of self-development. I spent decades exploring self-growth, seeking spiritual knowledge, participating in plant medicine ceremonies (psychedelics), and learning to let go of fear to focus on making a positive impact on the world. Over time, I gained the confidence to embrace and love my unique identity.
With this newfound personal traction and an unconventional “education” from learning from some of the most successful people on the planet, like Tony Robbins, I decided to take a different path after college. While many of my peers and the expectations of my family leaned toward safe, corporate careers in finance, medicine, or law, I dove into the world of entrepreneurship. I believed in myself and was determined to carve my own path in life. Although I faced many highs and lows as an entrepreneur across various industries, I always knew that as long as I believed in myself and focused on adding tremendous value to others’ lives, I would find long-term success.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Anand Sukhadia, the Founder and Director of om.life Wellness in Jersey City (www.om.life), and the host of the Limitless One Podcast (www.anand.life). For the past seven years, om.life has been New Jersey’s premier wellness center, dedicated to self-care and creating an environment where our guests can balance their mind, body, and spirit through holistic wellness modalities. We offer services such as Zero Gravity Floatation Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Cold Plunge, Massage, and community events, all enhanced by our new Energy Enhancement System technology.
What excites me most about om.life Wellness is that it’s more than just a wellness spa. Yes, we have some of the most cutting-edge wellness technologies available, including our latest addition, the Energy Enhancement System (www.scalar.health). But what truly sets us apart is our community—the incredible team we’ve built, the loyal members who have been with us from the start, and the deep, meaningful relationships we’ve nurtured over the years.
One aspect of this business I deeply honor is that I don’t see myself as the “owner,” but rather as the guardian and steward of this evolving wellness paradigm. We are constantly refining our services, offerings, and mindsets to provide the best value and holistic modalities available. Om.life was born out of my life passions—self-care, holistic health, community, spirituality, biohacking, and self-development. When I started, there was no proven market or established industry for this kind of business. But the community has embraced our mission wholeheartedly, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see the power of a strong vision. When you hold a light bright enough, others who resonate at the same frequency will always find you.
We’ve been fortunate to host over 14,000 individuals on their healing journeys, and I’m excited to continue serving all of you today and beyond.
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?
While many qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge have been vital to my journey, if I zoom out and focus on the most impactful ones, I’d highlight these three:
Passion for Your Mission and Unwavering Self-Belief: Being deeply passionate about your mission and having unshakeable faith in yourself is crucial. Fear and doubt can creep up on even the best of us, but it’s essential to remember that we are bigger than any obstacle we may face. We’re all capable of far more than we realize. This belief is one of the driving forces behind the Limitless One Podcast. I started it to interview inspirational thought leaders who are living limitless lives in their chosen fields of passion. Not only am I constantly inspired by each guest, but by implementing just one takeaway from each episode into my life or business, I find myself leveling up exponentially.
Continual Learning and Embracing Change: Expanding your circle of knowledge and being unafraid to make changes is key. Recognize that you don’t know everything, and maintain a humble outlook on how to optimize efficiencies in your business. Seek feedback from your team and clients, learn from those who are more successful than you, explore new ideas, and challenge any limiting beliefs that might surface. It’s okay to let go of things that aren’t working. Growth comes from being adaptable and open to new ways of thinking and doing.
Resilience, Big-Picture Thinking, and Energy Management: Believing in yourself, handling adversity, and maintaining a long-term perspective are essential. Energy is everything, and managing your vibrational state is critical. Daily practices like exercise, meditation, and absorbing inspirational ideas help maintain positive momentum. Tough days, weeks, or even years (like during the COVID-19 lockdowns when I had to restart a business from scratch) can weigh heavily on your emotions and energy. But try not to get caught up in the daily highs and lows, such as a bad sales period. Your energy is your most valuable asset, so ask yourself, “Will this one challenge matter a day from now, a month from now, or a year from now?”. If the answer is a no, smile and move on to not let downward spiral thoughts have real estate in your mind.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is basically my handbook manual for life (both personally and professionally). I had first read it about 20 years ago, and often reread it to ground myself in the power of this sacred wisdom. With all life throws at us, it can be easy to get derailed.
Be Impeccable with Your Word: Your word is your bond. Your words are literally shaping your personal reality, as your thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions, and actions lead to result. Everything begins with your words spoken out loud or inside your own head. As a wellness entrepreneur, I’ve learned that the words we choose can either uplift or diminish ourselves and others. Being impeccable with your word means speaking with integrity, saying what you mean, and avoiding gossip or negativity. It’s about using your words to create a positive impact on those around you.
Don’t Take Anything Personally: In the wellness industry, it’s easy to internalize others’ opinions or reactions, but this agreement teaches us that what others say and do is a reflection of their reality, not ours. Having interacted with close to 14,000 people in 7 years personally, while 99.99% were amazing interactions, a few weren’t great. Understanding this helps me stay focused on my mission without being derailed by criticism or praise. As a person who used to be a people pleaser, bad interactions would weigh on my for weeks. Understanding that the only thing we can control is our own reality, it’s important to let go of the attachment to what other’s think. It allows me to navigate challenges with grace and maintain emotional resilience.
Don’t Make Assumptions: This agreement encourages clear communication and avoiding misunderstandings. As an entrepreneur, making assumptions can lead to poor decisions and unnecessary conflicts. By asking questions, seeking clarity, and ensuring everyone is on the same page, I’ve been able to build stronger relationships with clients and team members. My wife always reminds me before important conversations, “start with curiosity” to avoid coming from an assumptive place.
Always Do Your Best: This final agreement is about giving your all, regardless of the circumstances. It acknowledges that your best may vary from day to day, but the key is to show up and put in the effort. This principle keeps me motivated daily because if I am truly living by this concept, what I can accomplish over extended periods can be miraculous.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.om.life + www.anand.life + www.scalar.health
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anand.life https://www.instagram.com/omlifewellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omlifewellness
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anandsukhadia/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@limitlessonepodcast?si=ygwjnoUabc7xZv6C
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/om-life-wellness-modern-recovery-spa-jersey-city
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