Sasha Gooray shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sasha, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What brings me the most joy and fulfillment is building strong relationships within my family. The work—and the fruit—of healthy relationships happens behind the scenes, where most people aren’t privy to both the challenges and the victories. Creating a family (whether in marriage, raising children, or even cultivating friendships) is the easy part; shaping us into a unit that truly runs and functions as a family requires intentional effort and consistent dedication.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! I am Sasha Gooray, founder of TRY Joyful Learning Center. At our online tutoring company, we ignite a love for learning in K–12 students and propel them into their destiny. Through Holy Spirit–led lessons and parent training, we equip families to build faith, confidence, and self-advocacy while overcoming academic and social challenges.
My journey into this work began with teaching my daughter, who was once diagnosed with autism. I spent years investing everything into her development and education, and with the support of our wonderful community, she not only no longer has autism—she is now a couple grade levels ahead. After witnessing her transformation, it became clear that helping other children was a calling and a gift.
What makes us unique at TRY Joyful Learning Center is we view academic achievement as far more than getting an A on the next test. We focus on sealing foundational gaps and integrating life and social-emotional skills so students thrive in every area.
Right now, I’m focused on creating curriculum for parent training because I’ve found that parents desire practical, Spirit-led tools to support their children at home in ways that align with their strengths. Parental involvement doesn’t require sitting down to do homework—it’s cultivating an atmosphere of faith (speaking positive, forward-focused words), establishing strong routines like time management, and creating an environment where children can succeed.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
This is something I’m continually walking through, growing in, and learning from. What breaks the bonds between people can be disappointment, distrust, and mismanaged expectations—usually rooted in poor communication. Even though I thrive in supporting my family and others, I recently experienced a major disappointment as I watched something I believed to be a promise slowly fade.
It’s easy to look at others and identify their shortcomings or areas for growth, but in this situation, my disappointment arose from my own lack of communicating my desires and understanding—and the other party not communicating theirs.
So what restores? Love, forgiveness, time, and God. Refocusing my trust fully on God—who loves us deeply—and believing that He desires restoration and wholeness even more than we do is what anchors me and moves healing forward.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—and yes! I’ve said “I quit” more times than I desire to admit. When have I done this? When I was faced with opportunities to pursue something I longed to do—something I knew would bring me immense joy and peace, something I felt in my heart I was destined for. Yet, it’s often in those moments that negative thinking and doubt creep in the most. For me, I would think, “It’s okay if I fail at something I don’t care much about, but if I try and fail at this thing I desire most of all, it would be so challenging.” I’ve done this with parenting, my business, and relationships.
But all of that is fear. Without confidence, we fail before we even start. The reminder that anchors me is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” It is through Him that we find courage, strength, and the ability to pursue what we are truly called to do.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe it was better for me to do everything on my own, and that if I did, it meant I was more successful. In today’s world of solopreneurs, with the pressure of being fiercely independent and social media showcasing only success—not failures—it’s easy to fall into the lie that I must do it all alone.
Even in my business, I’ve found real success comes from delegating tasks—like website design, accounting, and media—to people who are gifted and enjoy those areas, so I can focus on what I am truly called to do: teaching. My business did not thrive until I stopped thinking budget, bootstrap, and “it’s just me!”
At the center of it all is my relationship with God. When I lean on Him instead of relying solely on my own strength, I accomplish even more. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
The greatest joy in what I do is seeing children grow in faith, enjoy learning, love themselves and their family, and achieve academic success. Period. That’s why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tryjoyful.org
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TRYJoyful
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
