We recently connected with Neha Shah and have shared our conversation below.
Neha, 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.
Purpose: A Journey from Code to Cuisine.
In the vast tapestry of life, sometimes, the most unexpected twists lead us to the purpose we were destined to fulfill. Let me take you on a journey that’s as flavorful as it is profound, a tale that started with algorithms and ended up embracing the essence of culture and health.
You see, I was once a software engineer, navigating the uncharted waters of life in the United States after leaving my home in India. Little did I know that this journey would lead me to discover my true purpose and transform my life in the most unexpected ways.
When I first arrived in the U.S., I was captivated by the excitement of new beginnings and opportunities. Yet, as time went on, I noticed something troubling: my health was taking a hit. The familiar flavors of home-cooked Indian meals seemed to fade away in the face of convenience and fast food. Before I knew it, I was caught in a cycle of fluctuating weight and diminishing well-being. Fad diets came and went, offering temporary relief followed by frustrating setbacks—a yo-yo diet tango that left me longing for a sustainable solution.
As life moved forward and I contemplated returning to a 9-to-5 job after the birth of my second child, a fire ignited within me. I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and truly understand nutrition. I wanted to not only serve my family but also navigate the complexities of health in this new land I called home. It was a journey to rediscover my own vitality and reconnect with the roots that nurtured me.
My exploration into nutrition was not just about counting calories; it was a rediscovery of my identity, my traditions, and the incredible cuisine I had grown up with. In this journey, I found a profound connection with my mother, my grandmother, and the generations that came before. It was as if I was handed down a legacy of well-being, hidden within the folds of traditional recipes and age-old wisdom.
With each dish I prepared, I felt a strong bond with my cultural heritage. I realized that the very cuisine that had been dismissed as “unhealthy” was, in fact, a treasure trove of balanced nutrition and timeless knowledge. I became passionate about sharing this insight with others—especially fellow Indian immigrants in the USA who, like me, were yearning for a way to nourish their bodies and souls.
with the wisdom of tradition and a heart full of purpose, I set out to make a difference. I became a nutrition coach, guiding others back to their roots and helping them embrace the nourishing power of their own heritage. I saw my purpose unfold before me—to bridge the gap between cultures and offer a path to holistic health that was grounded in tradition.
My journey wasn’t just about food; it was about reclaiming our sense of home, even when miles away from our homeland. It was about rewriting the narrative that equated “healthy” with abandoning our heritage. Through my experiences, I learned that purpose can be found in the most unexpected places, and that our past can guide us towards a fulfilling future.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a USA based Holistic Health Coach, carrying Indian in my heart, my mission is to make Traditions Over Trends Go Viral. To be able to successfully do that I have founded my own Academy – Desi Nutrition Academy® exclusively for soulful Indian immigrants in USA. Where I offer courses and private coaching for sustainable good health without restricting their childhood favorite cultural foods that reminds of mother’s home cooked meals. My proven and secret method is called DNA Method®.
Recently I launched affordable Ebook, that serves as a foundational basics of how to effortlessly create a balanced Traditional Indian Plate for health & weight loss. This ebook is a game changer for anyone who is confused & overwhelmed on how to start eating healthy on an Indian Diet.
From there I direct them to my upcoming (releasing on 1st October 2023) done-for-you A-Z Healthy Indian Kitchen Toolkit – Make Indian Diet work in Immigrant Kitchen for Indian diaspora in America. It will Fill your immigrant kitchen with a Desi soul and stay connected to your homeland and ultimately feel like an Indian local in USA. I guarantee this toolkit will make healthy eating on Indian diet unbelievably easy.
My premium Coaching service is the only nutrition course + mentorship one will ever need. It’s like renting my traditional (not conservative) brain cells for 12 weeks and get the desired health outcome one deserves.
When I started as an Indian Nutrition Health Coach – I struggled to find my place in the diet, fitness and weight loss industry. For starters I had to deal with the stereotype of a healthy diet being I am making them to eat more than before. A concerned client asked me : if I can eat rice, puri, roti, bhajia, and no oats is not compulsory to add, no you need not have salads as meal, then where is the Diet in it!? I felt I was selling scam! It was easier to fool people into believing that starvation was the way, somehow replacing typical Indian food with trendy superfood is the Diet that works! Where was the thrill in “eating right sourced food, rightly prepared in right proportions at the right time” as I advised? But the clients were my hero. they made my success story. And yes, it is simple to say people to eat real foods the traditional way! but if they wouldn’t have that belief then i would never had got the confidence to proudly say that yes DNA method is the joyful experience to sustainable good health without suffering.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) Curiosity and Continuous Learning: Curiosity was my compass throughout this journey. The willingness to question the status quo and explore beyond the surface allowed me to dive deep into the world of nutrition. My hunger for knowledge enabled me to learn about the intricate connections between food, culture, and health.
2) Adaptability and Resilience:
The path I walked was far from linear; it was filled with unexpected twists and turns. From setbacks in health to the challenges of juggling family responsibilities, adaptability and resilience were my companions. Developing the ability to pivot, bounce back from failures, and stay focused on the bigger picture is crucial.
3) Cultural Connection and Empathy:
Rediscovering the nutritional treasures within my own culture was a transformational experience. Recognizing the importance of cultural connection and empathy allowed me to better relate to my clients’ struggles and needs. In a diverse world, the ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and truly understand their perspectives can set you apart.
Advice for the newcomers: Learn, Invest in a coach, and be fearless to re-invent the wheel.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Book: Eating In the Age of Dieting – a decade of writing that disrupted dieting in Indians. Author: Globally renowned Indian Nutritionist and a leading public health advocate RUJUTA DIWEKAR
It has changed my perspective on how we look at food on our plate. Where the modern method focuses on Calorie numbers and Carbs/Proteins/Fats labels. She showed me that Food Gives Life, Not Calories. That one statement gave me a new lens to look at food as a journey from a farmer who works hard to grow and provide –> to a mother who cooks lovingly serving her family –> to the strong family connection a single meal can give.
Her teachings helped me make USA Land my home. Because this is where I cook my food and get my groceries from. It helped me connect to local USA Farmers and small businesses and learn the traditional methods of cooking. This is how I could bring India to USA and respect the diversities our Mother Earth provides to nourish us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://desinutritionacademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desinutritionacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesiNutritionAcademy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-shah-indian-diet-nutrition-coach/
Image Credits
Neha Shah
