At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Pooja Vyaas for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Pooja is a UK Qualified Lifestyle Coach, Corporate Leadership Trainer and President of Sampurna Vikas Trust. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Pooja:
Can you tell us a little about your background?
If I look back at my background, I wasn’t the child in the front row — I was the one hiding in the back. I came from a humble, middle-class family where life was simple, but my inner world felt chaotic. I was introverted and always felt invisible. I constantly waited for validation — waiting for someone to tell me that I mattered.
That feeling of being ‘left out’ wasn’t just discomfort — it became the seed of my journey. It created a deep hunger: not just to be seen, but to be understood. The silence of my childhood eventually evolved into the voice I use today to empower others.
How did you start your career?
My career didn’t begin with a corporate job; it began with a partnership. I married early, at 20. Often, people assume marriage puts a full stop to a woman’s career — but for me, it was the starting point.
My husband was the first person who didn’t just see me as a wife — he saw me as a person with untapped potential. We shared a vision to grow together. So my professional journey started in a very raw, real way — learning life skills, managing a home, and gradually stepping into the professional world alongside him. It has been a 23-year journey from a young bride to a Lifestyle Coach.
Who has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My motivation didn’t come from a single person — it came from a basic human necessity: survival.
Like most ordinary people, I wanted to build a stable life and career. But for me, motivation wasn’t just about earning — it was about survival in three critical areas:
a) Survival in my Relationship
b) Survival in my Career
c) Survival of my ‘Self’
I realised early that I needed to protect my identity while fulfilling my responsibilities. That pressure to keep all three alive simultaneously was the fire that kept me moving forward. I continued studying even after marriage and motherhood because I knew I needed to survive — and grow.
What strategies helped you grow as a person?
The most defining strategy for my growth came after spending a decade building life and work alongside my husband. I realised that while we were growing as a couple, I also needed to grow as an individual.
To do that, I made a bold decision: I restarted my education and upgraded my skills. This choice required a major sacrifice — living away from my husband and child for a period, what I call ‘Distance Marriage’ and ‘Distance Motherhood.
That difficult phase became my greatest classroom. It taught me the raw reality of human behaviour and deepened my understanding of psychology. When I returned, I wasn’t coming back just as a wife — I was returning as an authority. That transformation culminated in the creation of my NGO, Sampurna Vikas Trust, to help others find the growth I had fought so hard to achieve.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
I believe success isn’t a destination — it’s a mindset. Based on my 23-year journey, there are five simple keys to success:
1) Never Be Afraid to Start from Zero – Many people stop growing because they fear looking like a beginner. I restarted my education after 10 years of marriage — and it reshaped everything.
2) Step Out of Your Comfort Zone – You can’t grow while remaining comfortable. My biggest growth happened during the ‘Distance’ phase — painful, but transformational.
3) Success Means Helping Others – True success isn’t just what you achieve — it’s what you give. My knowledge became meaningful only when I started serving others.
4) Soft Skills Are Your True Strength – Degrees matter, but confidence, communication, and decision-making are what take you further.
5) Life Alignment is Crucial – Problems in one zone of life can disrupt others. Achieving alignment — mind, relationships, and career — is key to sustained success.
What advice would you give to our readers?
My advice is simple: Don’t accept your current version as your final version.
Many people feel stuck because they think their destiny is fixed. But where you start has nothing to do with where you finish. I started as an unseen, insecure girl, and today I’ve achieved milestones I once only dreamt of.
I’ve met Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and received over 100 awards globally. I’m a two-time Guinness World Record holder, Tiara Mrs India 2018 & Mrs Most Popular, and founder of impactful initiatives like the WOW — Women of Wonder Awards and the Sampurna Vikas Trust.
I share these not to impress — but to prove a point: I didn’t wait for destiny — I built it. If you’re reading this, stop waiting. Rewrite your story.
What is your message to other women? What is the biggest asset of being female?
To every woman: you’ve cared for everyone around you — now start with yourself. Your biggest asset is your Independence:
> Be Financially Independent — Depend on no one for your basic needs.
> Never Stop Learning — Knowledge is something no one can take away.
> Respect Your Well-Being — Value your health, emotional peace, and self-esteem. Real female empowerment isn’t about fighting others — it’s about uplifting yourself. When you stand strong and independent, the world stands with you.
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.
