Interview with Manjiri Jamkhindikar | Communication and Soft Skills Trainer | Leadership, Personality Development and Style Coach | Pageant Mentor | Educator | Public Speaking Expert | Founder at Antaraa Atelier de Styling and Life Skills
At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Manjiri Jamkhindikar for an exclusive interview with us. Manjiri is a Communication and Soft Skills Trainer, Leadership, Personality Development and Style Coach, Pageant Mentor, Educator, Public Speaking Expert and Founder at Antaraa Atelier de Styling and Life Skills. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Manjiri:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I’ve always had a natural knack for languages and communication. My ability to observe and mimic people helped me pick up languages quickly — and early in my career, I began teaching them. But over time, I realized language is just one medium. True communication goes far beyond words.
This curiosity led me to explore body language, non-verbal communication (NVC), and personal expression. For over 20 years, I’ve been training individuals and teams to communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
With a degree in French, a CELTA certification, and credentials as a Style Coach™ from the London School of Styling and Life Skills, I bring a holistic approach to communication — blending language, presence, and style.
My training experience spans diverse sectors — from colleges and universities to corporate organizations — helping people express themselves with greater impact in every environment.
How did you discover your passion?
From a very young age, I loved to teach. On Teachers’ Day at school, I was always excited to dress up and play the role of a teacher — it just felt natural to me. I was good at understanding concepts but struggled to articulate them, which often meant I didn’t perform as well academically.
That experience affected my confidence but also gave me an important insight: the real difference a teacher, mentor, or trainer can make lies not just in subject expertise, but in their ability to truly understand a student’s challenges.
That realisation has stayed with me throughout my life. In many ways, I think I found my passion early because I didn’t have too many great teachers myself — and I wanted to become the kind of teacher I wished I had.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
At this stage in my life, I can genuinely say that I am my own biggest motivation. Every day, I push myself to grow — not out of pressure, but out of a deep sense of purpose and peace.
When I look back at where I started — emotionally, financially, and academically — and see where I am today, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. Being happy, healthy, and content is my greatest achievement, and that fuels me to keep going.
For the past five years, I’ve drawn strength from within. It’s been about showing up for myself, evolving at my own pace, and finding joy in the journey. I know it might sound unusual, but for me, that self-motivation has been the most honest and empowering source of inspiration.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Over the years, one of the biggest lessons that’s helped me grow — both personally and professionally — is the importance of fluidity in our thought process. I’ve learned that we can’t afford to label ourselves or stay confined to one version of who we are. Growth happens when we allow ourselves to evolve, to step out of our comfort zones, and to try new things without fearing failure.
When I talk about fluidity, I mean recognising that just because something made me uncomfortable a few years ago doesn’t mean it has to define me forever. We are all capable of learning, adapting, and changing — but only if we keep an open, curious mind.
I’ve always believed that curiosity is one of the greatest strengths we can have. I often tell my students and trainees: “There are no stupid questions — only people who stop asking them.” That curiosity has been my compass for continuous learning and self-improvement.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
The key to being successful, in my experience, is understanding that you are the niche. The moment you recognise your holistic value — who you are, what you bring, and how you see the world — you stop competing. You begin to carve your own path, and that’s when you become truly indispensable.
I often get asked, “What sets you apart as a trainer?” After all, there are many professionals with more qualifications or experience. But what I bring to the table is myself — my perspective, my journey, my way of understanding the world. That’s my USP.
It’s something no one else can replicate — not another person, not even AI — because it’s rooted in my lived experiences and my exposure to different people, cultures, and contexts.
Another principle I hold close is relevance. The world I grew up in no longer exists, and it’s my responsibility as a trainer to prepare the next generation for their world — not mine.
That means continuously learning, evolving, and adapting to new technologies, shifting value systems, and changing ways of thinking. Growth is constant, and so is relevance.
What advice would you give to our readers?
I truly believe that the key to everything — whether in life or work — is self-awareness. The more time you spend sitting with yourself, reflecting inward, the clearer your answers to outward questions become.
Introspection and self-reflection are at the core of all growth — whether it’s about your health, finances, relationships, or career.
When you start understanding who you are, you begin to make peace with your limitations and find ways to work around them. You stop complaining about what’s beyond your control and instead start focusing on what you can change. That shift in awareness brings a sense of calm, direction, and empowerment.
For me, self-awareness isn’t just a practice — it’s a way of life. It’s what allows us to grow continuously, adapt to change, and live with authenticity and purpose.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
