We recently connected with Rajinder Rai and have shared our conversation below.
Rajinder , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Honestly, I didn’t go out chasing purpose—it found me when everything I was holding up started to crumble.
For years, I did everything “right.” I built a successful pharmacy business, juggled motherhood, and kept pushing forward. But around my late 40’s , I hit a wall. Physically, emotionally, spiritually—I felt off. Burnt out. Disconnected from the very life I had worked so hard to build.
At first, I thought I just needed more discipline, a better nutrition, a new planner.
But deep down, I knew the truth: I couldn’t keep living the same way in a season that demanded something different.
That pause—the one I had avoided for so long—became the portal to my purpose. I realized that women like me, especially high-achieving South Asian women, were navigating midlife in silence. We were successful on paper but struggling behind the scenes. And no one was talking about it—not in our culture, not in our clinics.
So I started Sunrais Health to create what I needed: a space where women could feel seen, supported, and empowered to redefine midlife on their own terms. My purpose became helping women reclaim their vitality, reset their rhythms, and remember who they are—beyond the roles they’ve been performing.
Now I call it the “Dose of Pause.” But really, it was my wake-up call. And I’ve never felt more aligned.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Rajinder Rai—pharmacist, midlife strategist, and founder of Sunrais Health. After nearly 30 years running my own pharmacy, I saw a pattern: women—especially in midlife—were slipping through the cracks. They’d come in exhausted, overwhelmed, unsure if what they were feeling was “normal,” and unsure where to turn. Many of them shared more with me than they did with their doctor, and that’s where I realized: women didn’t just need another prescription—they needed a space to be seen, heard, and supported.
That’s why I created Sunrais Health—a space for high-achieving women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond to reclaim their energy, clarity, and confidence. We’re not just talking about menopause. We’re talking about a full recalibration—because what worked in your 30s likely isn’t working now. My signature method, Dose of PAUSE™, blends science-backed strategies with intuitive self-leadership to help women stop spinning their wheels and start creating a life they actually want.
What makes this work special? It’s deeply personal. I’ve been the woman burning out. I’ve also been the woman who finally gave herself permission to slow down, recalibrate, and rise stronger.
Right now, I’m most excited about ElevateHer, our in-person midlife summit that brings together real talk, expert guidance, and curated experiences to help women feel powerful again. We’re also building our My Saheli , a community that feels like your most trusted friend—the one who’s got the right advice and makes you feel seen.
If you’re navigating a big transition, know this: midlife isn’t your sunset. It’s your sunrise.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Deep Listening
For years, I filled prescriptions—but the real work happened in the moments when women opened up about what they were really feeling. Learning to listen beyond the symptoms—to hear the story behind the struggle—has been one of the most powerful tools in my journey.
Advice: Start by listening to yourself. Pay attention to what drains you, what lights you up, and what patterns keep repeating. The better you get at listening, the more powerful your impact will be.
2. Holding Dual Expertise: Science + Soul
As a pharmacist trained in functional medicine and certified in women-centric coaching, I’ve learned to bridge two worlds: evidence-based care and intuitive self-leadership. Women need both. They want facts—but they also want to feel.
Advice: Don’t box yourself in. You don’t have to choose between being data-driven or heart-led. Blend your knowledge and lived experience. That’s your superpower.
3. Courage to Evolve
Success used to look like checking boxes, building businesses, and being “on” all the time. But when midlife hit, I realized I had to redefine what thriving meant for me. That took courage—to pivot, pause, and lead differently.
Advice: Growth will ask you to let go of who you were, so you can become who you’re meant to be. Don’t be afraid to outgrow your old definition of success.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I’m always open to aligned collaboration—especially with those who believe that midlife is a powerful beginning, not an ending.
I’m looking to partner with:
Brands, experts, and platforms that support women 40+—especially in areas like health, mindset, lifestyle, and financial well-being
Event hosts, podcast producers, and community leaders who want a speaker or facilitator that brings both expertise and empathy to the conversation
Fellow disruptors in wellness and healthcare who are ready to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” solutions and center real women, real stories, and real results
If you’re building something that supports women in reclaiming their voice, vitality, and visibility—I’d love to connect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunraishealth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithdrrai/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajinder-rai-pharmd/
Image Credits
Brandon King: Theousmedia
Bernadee Marciniak: Solhausmedia
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
