Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!
While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.
WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.
“My brother opines that I love jumping into the deep end of a pool without knowing how to swim and then ‘learning on the job.’ This has been my mantra as challenges excite me. In hindsight, this trait of mine has roots in my father’s journey from Baroda, Gujarat, where I was born, to Bangalore, where he dreamed of setting up his architectural practice. He made a pivot when it mattered, and I, following in his footsteps, continue to do so.
I grew up in Bangalore, completing my schooling and college here. I went on to study Architecture at UVCE, where I graduated with distinction. I practised for more than 2 decades, working alongside as adjunct faculty in premier architectural colleges like BMS, PES, DSCA, and Srishti, among others, due to my love for teaching. The first major change in my career trajectory came when I stepped into the role of AVP at Sobha Developers, a leading real estate conglomerate. This job taught me about impactful messaging and has helped me enhance my communication skills.
Being an artist, writer and teacher, my next profile of designing a K-12 Arts and Performing Arts curriculum for The Brigade Schools contributed to my understanding of creating integrated and immersive lessons, thus bringing creativity into the classroom.
By then, I had reached a turning point in life, the stage when you turn 60 and ask yourself: What next? That was when I had the good fortune of meeting Neeraj. His vision for WisdomCircle deeply resonated with me, and I felt I could contribute with the skills I had garnered over decades in different domains.
This opened another exciting pivot for me: coaching. I completed my certification in Communication Coaching in the AI World from the School of Meaningful Experiences and almost immediately received an assignment with IIM Udaipur. I am now coaching at The Indian Institute of Science, while taking on assignments with Startups and Corporates like Yellow.
I’ve always loved situations that draw on my mental fortitude. The excitement they bring keeps me going. No wonder I took up running at 60 and even won a gold at a 5K event for seniors. That’s why coaching also feels right. I believe the demand for good coaches is strong, and I can bring in my 20–30 years of teaching experience, along with my certifications in management and communication, which have been a definite advantage. I am currently also pursuing a PG Diploma in Instructional Design from Symbiosis to deepen my learning journey.
I am especially grateful to WisdomCircle for giving me that first step into coaching through the transition workshops we conduct for seasoned professionals at the cusp of stepping into a new phase in their life’s journey.
To members of the WisdomCircle community, I would say this: if you are done with your familial responsibilities, this is the perfect time in your life to challenge yourself and do something truly exciting, something out of the box. I encourage you to take up work that may be completely new but sparks your interest and gives you a reason to get up each morning.
Believe me, that kind of challenge keeps your mind active and engaged for another 5–10 years easily. So, I encourage you all, challenge yourself and try something new.”
Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.
