Today’s guest is Vasavi Kumar. She is often described as your kick in the pants guide in route to your desired destination. She’s a licensed social worker, special education teacher and certified coach. Vasavi holds dual masters degrees in special education from Hofstra University and social work from Columbia University. She’s a pro at attracting media and works with her clients to create and go after opportunities that align with their brand values. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, is a regular on NBC’s Kansas City Live as the keeping it real guru and was on VH1’s basketball wives where she coached one of the main stars of the show. She truly believes that with impeccable character, work ethic and unwavering values you can do, be and have anything you want. In today’s episode we explore being bold and loving yourself.
Vasavi’s Story
Before Vasavi was bold and no BS she was very much not bold. She got to where she is today because it became intolerable at some point to be afraid to be bold. As she got older she started stepping into her own stuff, being who she wants to be and finding her own voice. Being fake and fluffy and having to manipulate her words in order for people to like her didn’t feel right anymore. She had to make a choice. Did she care more about being liked or did she care more about being herself and not having to juggle multiple personas?
Turning Point
Around the time Vasavi graduated from Columbia University in 2010 she found out about the coaching industry. She had been in therapy since the age of 12 and was going to school to become a therapist so she knew both sides. She loved the approach the coaching industry took to help people move forward in their lives. So right after graduating she signed up for a coaching certification program, became certified and within that year they encouraged them to start their own businesses. She started her business in August 2010 and since then has really immersed herself into what it means to run a business. You can listen to podcasts and read books but you have to start to implement what you have learned. Vasavi would sign up for stuff and immediately put it into action.
Purpose
If you were to ask Vasavi why she cares and why she wants to do this the short answer would be because she can. She’s able to so why wouldn’t she? She’s able to give back in this way and to help others because she can, because she wants to and because she has to. She lives with a sense of urgency that she doesn’t want to die not having used all that she was given.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
In terms of business the first piece of advice is adopt an immigrant mentality which means do more than is expected of you. Don’t do bare minimum. Have a higher standard for yourself and don’t settle for the mediocre.
At the end of the day you need to be able to look in the mirror and like your reflection. Like the person who is looking back at you. Peaceful sleep is important. Don’t go to sleep having things on your mind, feeling anxious about things or feeling guilty or resentful. Whatever you need to do in life to make sure that when you look in the mirror you like your reflection and you can go to sleep peacefully, do that.
What are you most grateful for?
My own resilience. Resilience is a muscle you exercise; it’s not something you’re born with.
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