My Story as a Transformation Strategist

Anxiety and panic attacks became a part of my life as I struggled with the conflict between societal expectations and my authentic self. Even though I was doing very well academically, I felt a little more anxious every day. I did not know what was going on with me at the time. I started to get a little worried when people around me told me how ‘edgy’ and ‘negative’ I had become.

Finally, my anxiety levels reached a level where they started manifesting in my body in the form of panic attacks and shortness of breath. The panic attacks made my anxiety even more difficult to deal with because I had to be anxious about the possibility of having panic attacks. I also had a bad habit of smoking cigarettes at that young age, and I am sure it made these attacks worse.

After getting my bachelor’s degree in engineering, I temporarily put my academic pursuit for a master’s degree on hold and started visiting a “Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist.” After being in therapy for several years, I can now look back and observe how I transformed my life after the panic attacks occurred. I can summarize my journey into two main phases:

1) Learning what others expected me to do (expectation)

2) Finding what I truly loved doing (aspiration)

My panic attacks were a result of exaggerated ‘helpless’ thinking. I believed life was happening to me since I was living someone else’s idea of who I should have been.

So, I developed an open and agreeable personality. I repressed my needs and feelings until my body alarmed me to make my own choices. My breakthrough was understanding that I have control over my thoughts and body since my therapist explained the Mind-Body Connection to me. I regained control of my life and choices by focusing on myself and continuing therapy. I could easily break the cycle of panic by eliminating helpless thinking and unleashing the power inside me, which I did not know I had.

After working with my therapist, I decided to continue my self-discovery journey by working with a coach. My coach also played a huge role in empowering me to live the life of my dreams and follow my passion. My coach inspired me to stay consistent in doing what I loved. I went back to school and studied what I enjoyed more than engineering.

I enrolled in psychology and coaching programs at two different schools. I was able to quit smoking. I started going to the gym 5 to 6 days a week. I learned Martial Arts. I learned a musical instrument I always wanted to learn. And most importantly, I started my coaching and consulting business. People who met me after this true transformation could easily see the change in my energy and being. It was obvious to them I had made significant changes in my life. I started attracting people who matched my energy, drastically improving my social life.

Things make sense when you look backward in life. I was under the impression life was happening to me. Still, after having only two sessions with my coach, I had a vital breakthrough. I discovered life happens for me, not to me! One reason for my anxiety and panic attacks was to find who I was and what I wanted in life. Another reason was to develop empathy for people who feel lost in their lives, so they follow other people’s recommendations or do what others expect them to do.