We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonal Sheth Zawahri a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sonal, 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?
How I Found My Purpose: My family’s journey to the United States in the early 70s was one filled with both challenges and dreams. We didn’t come from privilege, but we came with a vision—a vision to build something better, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I saw firsthand what it meant to fight for every step forward. My parents didn’t have the luxury of choosing an easy path. They worked multiple jobs, transitioned into entrepreneurship, and kept moving forward—no matter how tough things got. They showed me what perseverance truly looks like.
For my family, every step was about survival, but more importantly, it was about learning how to thrive even when resources were scarce. And that lesson—of never giving up, of pushing forward even when it feels impossible—became the foundation of my own purpose. As I look back, I realize that my purpose is rooted in showing up for others. My purpose is to help people reframe their stories—teaching them how to see their struggles not as obstacles, but as the very things that give them power.
I’ve never believed that we are victims of our stories. Yes, we live in a world full of disparities and inequities. We face challenges every day. But we also live in a country brimming with opportunities and resources. It’s about how we choose to respond to those challenges. Can we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps when life gets hard? Can we do the right thing, even when it seems easier not to? The answer, in my experience, is yes. And it’s not about denying the struggle, but rather about finding the strength to persevere, to bounce back with resilience.
This is what I want to teach others: how to step into their power and find their value, regardless of their circumstances. How to rise above the negative narratives that might surround them and instead, show up with confidence and authenticity. I know it’s hard—trust me, I’ve been there. My journey hasn’t been smooth. But I believe that if we dig deep into our spiritual selves, if we tap into the resources around us, and if we ask for help when we need it, we can shift our mindset. Surrounding ourselves with people who care—not those focused on competition or materialism, but those with positive energy and a collaborative spirit—makes all the difference.
We all go through tough times. I still face challenges every day. But I’ve learned that staying stuck in discouragement won’t move us forward. The key is taking that first step—no matter how small it seems. That’s how I’ve been able to overcome, and that’s why I created the S.T.R.E.T.C.H. process. It’s a way to teach others to tap into their emotional intelligence, starting with self-awareness, and learning how to self-manage. This is how we create wins—not just for ourselves, but for everyone we touch.
No one wants to be around negativity all the time. We all have the power to step into our true values and to lead lives of purpose. And this is what I want to help others see—that they can show up for themselves and for the people they love, set healthy boundaries, and be grounded in their spiritual soul. Life is only as good as we allow it to be, and I’ve learned to trust that when we stay true to ourselves and our purpose, the right things always follow.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Having immigrated to the United States and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I was exposed to a rich tapestry of life and its diverse communities. Life was hard for my family, but watching my parents show up with perseverance and determination paved the way for me to do the same. With limited resources and opportunities available to them, they started their life in America as hustlers-working many jobs and then transitioning into becoming entrepreneurs. And like them, I have relentlessly pursued excellence in everything I desired–and trust me, it hasn’t been an easy journey. With a passion for knowledge, I entered the education field as a high school science teacher. There I fell in love with sharing the knowledge I gained and my love of learning with others. After 9 years of teaching, earning a Master’s degree, and being tenured, a devastating health diagnosis caused a sudden change in my life. I was forced to pause and ask myself, “Where do I go from here?” I had two choices: find a corner and hide from the world or pivot. And so the next 17 years came with jobs I sought and jobs I lost due to LIFE happenings, but even when I was scared and discouraged, I knew I had to adapt and adapt I did. This is when I began to explore and realized that I wanted more–I sought to make a deeper impact on the world, so I shifted from the education and corporate world to launching my training and coaching business.
Empowering communities and allowing people to FEEL like they belong in the environment they work and live in, is the driving force behind my business launch. I knew I could do this by teaching Emotional Intelligence, believing it to be a fundamental tool in enabling individuals to attain self-sufficiency and reach their fullest potential.
It all began with a simple idea of stepping out of my comfort zone, prompted by the feeling of exclusion and lack of welcome in my previous job, which provided for my family. However, embarking on such a journey without a plan seemed daunting. Then, as fate would have it, I lost my job. My “Aha” moment arrived when I was let go the week my husband and I purchased our home, seven years ago.
In that pivotal moment, I realized this was my opportunity to pursue my passion, to make a meaningful impact on lives, and to offer support to individuals and organizations across different geographical communities. Sharing my aspirations with a friend, encouraged me to pursue a path as a professional speaker and trainer.
Since then, I’ve cultivated an incredible community of individuals who uplift and inspire one another. Today, seven years later, I continue to collaborate with others, engaging in building, designing, creating, and making a positive impact. Through teaching leaders within our communities and organizations, I aim to instill the values of empathy and active listening, empowering them to become advocates and allies for those around them.
As an Emotional Intelligence strategist, I focus on communication, leadership, and employee engagement. I teach managers and team members how to increase their Emotional Intelligence and use it to improve communication and productivity. I also specialize in showing individuals how to be leaders personally and professionally even when they do not have official positions of authority.
I’ve achieved significant milestones, having published a workbook, developed two online courses, and created a deck of cards designed for individuals to share how they value others. Additionally, I’ve established over 20 programs and courses, which I’ve delivered to more than 90 communities, pro-bono and for a fee. (Order my products on my website:
https://www.sonalshethzawahri.com/shoptruyou). And in 2022, I was awarded the Equity & Inclusion Champion for the state of Indiana through Women and Hi-Tech.
At the core of my passion lies the belief that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the cornerstone of individual and organizational success. With unwavering dedication, I strive to impart the invaluable lessons of EI to individuals and organizations alike, showcasing its profound impact on people, culture, and productivity. Through my transformative programs, I empower organizations to fortify their management teams, foster genuine connections with team members, and cultivate a company culture that authentically reflects their values. Moreover, I work hard to ensure that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging transcend mere buzzwords, becoming steadfast principles embedded in the fabric of organizational life.
My efforts not only lead to success but also foster a culture of ongoing improvement among leaders and team members, playing a direct role in helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals.
Reflecting on my journey, I draw strength from the quiet courage it took to venture into my fourth career in my late 40s, fully aware of the risks involved. Despite setbacks, I stayed determined and supported by my husband’s unwavering commitment to our family’s well-being through his work in education. Together, we maintain a firm belief in the positive impact of my ongoing efforts to inspire, empower, and effect change, both for our community and our livelihood.
This journey is a humble tribute to my family’s unwavering patience and support as I pursued my dreams, building not just a business, but a nurturing environment where individuals thrive amidst life’s challenges. Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to further develop and monetize my passion, allowing me to share the joy of success with those who’ve stood by me. I envision creating a platform, a podcast, or a talk show, where individuals can find solace and encouragement to explore their potential and evolve into their best selves. This vision is fueled by both ambition and a sincere desire to nurture a community of love and support.
One of my greatest joys is celebrating others and their victories, big and small. That’s why I’ve dedicated a section on my website to support the small businesses that have stood by me throughout my journey. I believe that fostering a sense of community is essential for mutual celebration and support. Embracing inclusivity, I strive to extend invitations and share resources and opportunities with others, connecting people and to valuable chances for growth. It’s in these acts of inclusion and connection that I find my true superpower.
Launching in Dec. 2024 on the Forento platform: (personallearning.forento.app)
My 2 online courses:
Stretching for Success
Building Your Leadership Presence with Emotional Intelligence
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?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey:
1. Resilience & Perseverance
Throughout my story, I have encountered multiple challenges—being an immigrant, navigating a lack of resources, facing health issues, experiencing career shifts, and personal struggles. Despite these obstacles, I chose to pivot, adapt, and persevere. Resilience was key to navigating these difficulties and finding new paths when life threw unexpected challenges my way.
Advice for early journeyers:
Build resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Life will present obstacles, but the ability to face them head-on, learn from them, and keep moving forward is crucial. Start by cultivating a mindset that sees setbacks as temporary, and focus on how you can learn from them to become stronger. Surround yourself with a supportive community that encourages perseverance, and remember that even small steps forward are progress.
2. Emotional Intelligence (Self-Awareness & Empathy)
My story touches on the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating my life and career. From understanding my own emotions to empathizing with others and adapting to different environments, emotional intelligence has allowed me to build authentic relationships and create environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Advice for early journeyers:
Start by developing self-awareness. Take time to reflect on your emotions and how they affect your thoughts and actions. Practice mindfulness to become more attuned to your feelings and reactions. To improve empathy, actively listen to others, try to understand their perspectives, and approach relationships with compassion. Both self-awareness and empathy are learned skills that can be honed with consistent practice and reflection.
3. Adaptability & Openness to Change
Throughout my journey, especially when faced with unexpected life changes (such as a health diagnosis, job loss, or major career shifts), I exhibited an openness to change and the ability to adapt. This adaptability allowed me to pivot from education to corporate work, and then into building my training and coaching business, making meaningful changes even when it was difficult.
Advice for early journeyers:
Embrace change as a part of the journey. Be open to new opportunities and different ways of doing things. Be comfortable with failing forward by reaping the lessons from those failures. When life forces you to change course, lean into it instead of resisting it. Develop a mindset of flexibility—recognize that the world is always evolving, and so are you. Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take risks or step outside your comfort zone, as this is where the most growth happens.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I am. This is two fold for me:
1. Despite the array of products and services I offer, I’ve faced limitations in marketing them to a broader audience due to budget constraints and limited manpower. Consequently, I’ve struggled to develop the business effectively, focusing solely on operational tasks rather than strategic growth.
This is where I’m seeking support. I am eager to collaborate with others who can support me in various aspects, including finding an intern who can assist in executive and organizational skills, business development, creating a speaker reel, developing marketing materials, orchestrating a book launch (I published in 2020 but have yet to officially launch), pulling together a podcast or my own show. I would love to have an ‘agent’ that can help with operating the business so that I can focus on creating and delivering content.
2. I am seeking other amazing training companies that I can consult for and deliver training. This will help with the limited bandwidth I am experiencing to design and deliver training and to operate the business as a whole. Working as a consultant can help me create revenue so that I can continue my passion for coaching and training others.
3. Seeking scholarships, cohorts, partnerships, and grants to help me fulfill my business purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sonalshethzawahri.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonalshethzawahri/
- Facebook: facebook.com/truyou
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalshethzawahri/
- Other: 1. My STRETCHing for Success and Building your Leadership Presence with EI online courses: personallearning.forento.app 2. Order my products on my website: https://www.sonalshethzawahri.com/shoptruyou 3. Order my workbook on Amazon: http://bit.ly/Sonal-workbook
Image Credits
Lisa Whitman Faith McKinney Eric Filson Nnenna Jemie
