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 Radhika Gupta for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Radhika is an Aerial Yoga Teacher, Choreographer and an Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Radhika:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I was born and raised in Mysore, in a Baniya family where having something of our own is part of our dharma. I grew up an active child, always outdoors, always moving, with a family that encouraged me to explore my passions.
My dance journey began when I was just 7 years old. Soon after, gymnastics entered my life, and before long, I was competing at the national level. School competitions, stage performances, and events became my happy place.
At 17, I began teaching—a small group of ladies at first, then school annual functions, wedding choreographies, and more. Through gymnastics, I discovered yoga, starting with breathing practices (pranayama).
Initially, my parents were unsure about dance and yoga as a career. It didn’t seem stable compared to the engineering path they had envisioned for me. But as they saw my dedication and the joy I brought to my students, their pride grew.
Though I was a science student, I chose the arts and completed my degree in Journalism and Mass Media. During college, I freelanced at Gold’s Gym, balancing work, study, and my passion for movement and along side completed my MSC in yoga.
The lockdown became a turning point. I decided to invest in myself, completing my Yoga Teacher Training in Mysore—the Ashtanga Yoga capital of the world. I trained in both hatha and ashtanga yoga with Srinatha (a traditional yogashala in Mysore, India), and soon after, the yoga school launched its first-ever Aerial Yoga Teacher Training Course. I was honoured to be the lead teacher, pioneering aerial yoga classes and TTCs in Mysore.
One of my best decisions was travelling to Bangkok to train in aerial silks at a circus school. Today, I teach aerial yoga, traditional yoga, and dance—both online and offline—while also leading workshops and corporate events.
From dancing on the ground to flying in the air, my journey has been nothing short of magical. And this is only the beginning.
How did you discover your passion?
It began with dance—but I didn’t stop there. I leapt into gymnastics, wedding choreography, Zumba, yoga, aerial yoga, and finally aerial silks. Each new skill was a fresh adventure. I never planned exactly where I’d land—I simply kept chasing what lit me up.
Who has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest motivation has always been myself. Every morning, I wake up with one goal—to be a little better than I was yesterday. Appreciation from others is a beautiful bonus, but it’s my own inner drive that truly keeps me moving forward.
What are some of the strategies that have helped you grow as a person?
Never be afraid to start from zero.
Don’t let anyone control your life.
Be clear about what you want.
Always follow your heart.
I believe life becomes more beautiful when you change your perspective.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
For me, true success means balancing ambition with well-being. Good health and mental peace are just as important as chasing your dreams—if you can have both, you’ve truly achieved something great.
What advice would you give to our readers?
Life is truly beautiful. One mistake or failure does not define you. Save your energy for what truly matters. Trust your journey, and remember—every ending is simply the beginning of something new.
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.
