Meet Shalini Thyagaraja

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shalini Thyagaraja. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shalini below.

Hi Shalini, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem developed through a journey of resilience, self-discovery, and intentional effort. Immigrating to the U.S. at 19 with just two suitcases and a dream taught me to navigate uncertainty and embrace challenges. Achieving financial independence and establishing a successful career in corporate leadership helped me trust my capabilities, but it was discovering my deeper purpose that truly anchored my confidence.

Balancing my professional life with raising two daughters and supporting causes close to my heart reinforced my belief in my ability to create meaningful impact. Pursuing certifications in trauma-informed yoga, meditation, and health coaching allowed me to connect with others on a transformative level, which further strengthened my self-esteem.

Ultimately, confidence for me has come from aligning my actions with my values, serving others, and embracing gratitude. Each step—whether it was achieving a milestone, mentoring someone, or overcoming a personal challenge—helped me build an unshakable foundation of self-worth.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My Journey and Professional Focus

I am deeply passionate about empowering individuals to live balanced, purposeful lives through holistic wellness and professional growth. As the founder of Mind Space, I provide personalized guidance and transformative practices that nurture a strong mind-body connection. My work blends trauma-informed yoga, meditation, breathwork, corporate tech mentoring and health coaching with insights from my corporate leadership journey. At the heart of my approach is the Japanese concept of Ikigai—helping individuals discover the intersection of what they love, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they can be rewarded for.

What excites me most is witnessing the transformations in those I support—whether it’s helping someone heal from past trauma, regain their vitality, or align their actions with their purpose. Creating a space where individuals can reconnect with themselves while achieving both personal and professional growth is incredibly fulfilling.

My Dual Focus: Tech Leadership and Wellness

With over 20 years of corporate leadership experience, I currently serve as a Director at Microsoft, where I lead high-performing teams, drive innovation, and mentor individuals in their tech careers. My corporate journey—from navigating the challenges of immigrating to the U.S. at 19 with two suitcases and a dream to becoming a leader in the tech industry—has taught me the importance of resilience, purpose, and alignment.

What makes my approach unique is integrating career mentorship with wellness practices rooted in Ikigai. By guiding individuals to discover their purpose and align it with their career and wellness goals, I’ve helped them thrive in both areas. My mentoring focuses on helping others achieve professional success while maintaining balance and fulfillment.

What’s Special About Mind Space

Mind Space merges science-backed techniques with mindfulness practices, offering a comprehensive approach to well-being. It is designed for individuals who want to excel in their careers while prioritizing their mental and physical health. By incorporating the principles of Ikigai, Mind Space helps clients explore their passions, identify their strengths, and find deeper meaning in their personal and professional lives.

What’s Next for Mind Space

I am excited to expand Mind Space’s reach through workshops, retreats, and virtual wellness programs. This year, I am launching a new initiative to support women in balancing career, family, and self-care, with tools to build resilience, manage stress, and achieve alignment. Additionally, I am collaborating with nonprofits to raise awareness about holistic wellness and make these practices more accessible.

Mind Space represents my vision for a world where success is not just measured by professional milestones but by living a life aligned with one’s Ikigai. I am thrilled to continue mentoring, leading, and inspiring others to thrive both personally and professionally while finding their unique path to purpose and fulfillment.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Areas of Knowledge

Resilience and Adaptability
My journey, from immigrating to the U.S. at 19 with two suitcases and a dream to becoming a corporate leader and wellness advocate, was built on resilience. Navigating a new culture, financial independence, and career growth taught me to adapt to challenges and find opportunities in adversity. Resilience is not just about enduring difficulties but about growing through them.

Advice: Develop resilience by embracing change and reframing setbacks as learning experiences. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion to stay grounded during challenges. These tools not only strengthen your ability to adapt but also help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Purpose-Driven Mindset (Ikigai)
Discovering my Ikigai—the intersection of what I love, what I am good at, what the world needs, and what I can be rewarded for—has been transformative. It has guided my decisions, from corporate leadership to founding Mind Space. Aligning with my purpose has brought fulfillment and clarity to my work.

Advice: Spend time reflecting on your passions, strengths, and values. Ask yourself what brings you joy and how you can use your unique talents to make an impact. Journaling, mentorship, and career coaching can help you uncover your purpose. Once you find it, let it guide your choices, both professionally and personally.

Empathy and Mentorship
Empathy has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. As a leader and mentor, understanding and supporting others have been as important as achieving my own goals. Mentorship, both as a mentor and mentee, has enriched my journey, offering perspectives and insights that accelerated my growth.

Advice: Cultivate empathy by actively listening and seeking to understand others’ perspectives. Surround yourself with mentors and role models who inspire you and be open to learning from their experiences. Equally, share your knowledge to uplift others—it not only strengthens your connections but deepens your understanding.

Final Thought
Whether you’re early in your career or pursuing a personal passion, focus on building a strong foundation of resilience, purpose, and empathy. These qualities will not only help you navigate challenges but also lead you toward a life of impact, balance, and fulfillment.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who is committed to both personal and professional growth. They are driven, open to self-discovery, and eager to align their career goals with their well-being.

1) Driven and Ambitious: Motivated to succeed and willing to put in the work to achieve both career and life goals.
2) Open to Growth: Ready to explore wellness practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to improve overall well-being.
3) Purpose-Focused: Seeking alignment between career ambitions and personal fulfillment through the concept of Ikigai.
4) Embracing Change: Willing to transform and overcome challenges to achieve growth in both personal and professional life.
5) Seeking Holistic Support: Desiring guidance that integrates career mentorship with wellness practices to create balance.

In summary, my ideal client is someone ready to invest in their purpose, wellness, and career while finding fulfillment in both areas.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Yoga workshop Fundraiser 2019 led by Shalini Thyagaraja at Zen Rock Fitness Studio
Yoga class in session with tweens 2019

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