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Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance

Plongez dans la liste complète des épisodes de The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance. Chaque épisode est catalogué accompagné de descriptions détaillées, ce qui facilite la recherche et l'exploration de sujets spécifiques. Suivez tous les épisodes de votre podcast préféré et ne manquez aucun contenu pertinent.

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TitreDateDurée
Episode 26: The Health Gap We Don’t Talk About: Why Men Delay Care—and Why It Matters to All of Us16 Jun 202600:07:46

🎙️Podcast Description


Today’s episode is more personal—and a little uncomfortable in the way meaningful conversations often are.

📣 We’re talking about men’s health. More specifically, why so many men delay care, ignore symptoms, and push through until something breaks.

This isn’t about blame.
It’s about reflection—and an invitation.

Inspired by Men’s Health Month and the conversations many of us are (or aren’t) having at home, I share personal stories, real-life examples, and what both research and Ayurveda reveal about how men approach health, stress, and vulnerability.


👉🏼From the cultural conditioning that teaches men to “tough it out,” to the quiet consequences of delayed care, we explore:

  • Why men are less likely to seek help for mental and physical health
  • How stoicism can become a risk factor
  • The gap between outward strength and true wellbeing
  • What prevention, presence, and self-leadership really look like

Through both clinical insight and lived experience, this episode reframes health not as weakness—but as responsibility.

💡Because men’s health isn’t just a men’s issue.
It’s a family issue. A partnership issue. A community issue.

Because leadership isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about living longer, wiser, and more grounded.


📩 ✍🏽 ✔️ If this conversation resonates, email me and I’ll send you the 5-minute reflection card—a simple, thoughtful check-in for yourself or someone you care about.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 25: Leadership Lessons from a Tsunami Survivor02 Jun 202600:35:14

🎙️Podcast Description


In this powerful episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with performance coach and Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher, Will Robbins, to explore a story that goes far beyond sport—into survival, faith, and the kind of resilience that reshapes a life.

Early in his career as a touring professional golfer, Will survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while on his honeymoon in Thailand. What unfolded in those moments—and in the long road to recovery that followed—changed not only the trajectory of his career, but his understanding of purpose, leadership, and what it truly means to live well.


🎧🪷👉🏼In this conversation, we go beyond the event itself and explore the deeper lessons:

  • What happens internally when you come face-to-face with mortality
  • The role of faith and instinct in moments of crisis
  • How trauma and recovery can reshape identity and purpose
  • Why “everyone has a tsunami in their life”—and how to navigate it
  • What resilience really looks like in the face of burnout, grief, or uncertainty
  • How redefining success can lead to a more meaningful, service-driven life

This is a conversation about leadership in its most human form—when control is stripped away and what remains is who you are at your core.

If you’ve ever faced a moment that changed you… or are navigating one right now… this episode will meet you there.


🔁🤝▶️ If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who might be going through their own “tsunami.” And don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, resilience, and well-being.

✨BIO

Will Robins, PGA, is a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America, performance coach, and the creator of The Scoring Method, a system used by tens of thousands of golfers worldwide to improve their performance. Early in his career as a touring professional, Will survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while on his honeymoon in Thailand—an experience that reshaped his perspective and inspired his mission to help others perform at their highest level.

Will is the owner of WRGolf in Sacramento County, California, where he coaches players of all levels using his proven results-based approach. He is also the Founder and CEO of Robins Golf Logistix (RGX), a global coaching and business training organization that has helped transform the careers of golf professionals across 43 U.S. states and 18 countries.

In addition to coaching, Will is a keynote speaker who shares insights on performance, leadership, and resilience, and he leads VIP Golf Experiences that elevate corporate events and conferences.


If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 16: Self-worth as the foundation of leadership and wellbeing.27 Jan 202600:07:21

🎙️Podcast Description

February often arrives wrapped in red hearts and expectations — a season that tells us love must look a certain way. But what if true love begins not with someone else, but within?

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, host Sweta Vikram explores the subtle emotional weight that Valentine’s Day can carry — from comparison to loneliness — and how these moments mirror deeper questions of self-worth. Drawing on Ayurvedic wisdom and lived experience, she unpacks how our relationship with ourselves shapes the way we lead, connect, and show up in the world.

Through gentle reflection and grounded practices, you’ll learn to return to yourself — to lead from worth, not from the need for validation.


💛 Key Takeaways:

·       Self-worth is not performance. It’s remembering that your value doesn’t rise or fall with others’ approval.

·       Disconnection creates imbalance. In Ayurveda, true alignment begins with reconnecting to your essence.

·       Leadership rooted in worth feels safe. When you lead from self-trust, others feel grounded in your steadiness.

·       Simple self-love practices heal. Conscious breathing, nourishing food, and mindful gratitude are leadership tools — not luxuries.

·       Love becomes leadership. How you love yourself sets the tone for every relationship you nurture — at work and beyond.


🌸 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review The Grounded Leader — it helps more people find this space of calm and authenticity.

✨ Continue your journey of holistic leadership and Ayurvedic wellbeing at swetavikram.com, or connect with me on Instagram @swetavikram
for daily reflections on balance, purpose, and heart-centered success.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 15: Anchored in Giving: How Service Shapes Leaders13 Jan 202600:36:34

In this heartfelt episode of The Grounded Leader, host Sweta Vikram sits down with Priya Ramteke, a professional leader whose journey beautifully intertwines career success with compassion and service.

At a time when leadership is often defined by metrics, titles, and outcomes, Priya reminds us that true fulfillment comes from giving back. Be it through her volunteer work teaching yoga to underprivileged children or donating her time and services in other ways, Priya has discovered how acts of service can quiet the ego, cultivate empathy, and strengthen the very qualities that make us better leaders.

Together, Sweta and Priya explore how service nourishes purpose, how privilege can be used consciously, and why generosity of spirit may be the most sustainable form of leadership in our fast-paced world.


✨ Key Takeaways

  1. Service transforms the self before it transforms others. Giving back is not just an act of generosity—it’s a path toward deeper self-awareness and humility.
  2. Leadership is energy management. Teaching yoga to children helped Priya reconnect with stillness, balance, and compassion—qualities she brings back to her professional life.
  3. Privilege comes with responsibility. Awareness of opportunity can inspire meaningful action when paired with empathy and intention.
  4. Boundaries sustain generosity. Priya shares how she maintains healthy limits to ensure that giving doesn’t lead to depletion.
  5. Fulfillment is born from connection. Success feels richer when it is rooted in purpose, presence, and the wellbeing of others.

🎧 If this episode inspired you, take a moment to reflect on how you can give back this week — whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or simply showing kindness.


💫 Share this episode with a colleague or friend who leads with heart.
💫 Subscribe, rate, and review The Grounded Leader wherever you listen — your support helps us reach more leaders who value purpose, balance, and authenticity.


✨BIO

Priya Ramteke, Head of Learning at NMAJS,  brings over 26 years of experience in education — including 17 years in IB schools in India and nine in England. In her current role, she leads curriculum and instructional leadership across both the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme, with a strong focus on making transitions enriching.

As both a certified yoga teacher and an active IBEN educator, she brings a unique lens to her work — one that integrates well-being and mindfulness into the way schools use data, ensuring that learning remains holistic and human-centered. 

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 14: Reset, Don’t Reinvent: Leading from Stillness in the New Year01 Jan 202600:05:29

🎧It’s January — the season of fresh starts and fierce resolutions. But Ayurveda reminds us: we don’t need to reinvent ourselves to grow — we only need to remember who we are.

In this episode, Sweta Vikram explores how to begin the year with stillness, not speed. Through Ayurvedic wisdom and mindful reflection, she shares how slowing down helps us align with winter’s rhythm, lead with clarity, and cultivate calm strength instead of burnout.

If you’re ready to start the year grounded in purpose rather than pressure, this episode is your invitation to breathe, reset, and return home to yourself.


🌿 Key Takeaways

  1. You don’t need to reinvent yourself — you need to realign. Growth begins with remembering your true rhythm.
  2. Ayurveda teaches cyclical balance. Winter (Kapha season) calls for rest, nourishment, and reflection — not overdrive.
  3. Stillness clarifies strategy. The quiet moments reveal what truly matters, personally and professionally.
  4. Add, don’t restrict. Add warmth, grounding, and gentle structure to stabilize energy and focus.
  5. Leadership starts with energy, not achievement. Ask: “How do I want to feel as I lead this year?”


🌿 Begin your year with intention — not intensity.
💛 Share your January intention using #TheGroundedLeaderPodcast and tag @swetavikram
💌 Download your free “5-Minute Ayurveda Reset” and explore Ayurvedic coaching at swetavikram.com
🎧 Follow The Grounded Leader for more Ayurvedic wisdom to help you lead with balance, not burnout.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 13: Self-Compassion and the Art of Letting Go During the Holidays18 Dec 202500:30:52

On today’s episode … we’re diving into a topic that so many leaders quietly struggle with—the emotional weight of the holiday season. While we’re told this is the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ and the holidays are marketed as the season of joy, family gatherings, and picture-perfect moment … for many, it brings up grief for loved ones who are no longer with us, the stress of strained family dynamics, spotlight the loneliness that follows life transitions like divorce, or the pressure of living up to Hallmark-style perfection. 

This episode of The Grounded Leader explores how to navigate the emotional weight of the holidays without succumbing to the Hallmark pressures of “perfect cheer.” Instead, we’ll talk about the healing role of self-compassion, both/and thinking, and the grace of letting go—reminding us that one difficult holiday does not define a lifetime. Our guest today is Angie Miller


🔑Key Takeaways for Listeners

  • The holidays can hold both light and shadow, and that’s normal.
  • Self-compassion is not indulgence—it’s resilience.
  • Both/And thinking allows us to honor grief and joy in the same breath.
  • Letting go of “perfect holidays” creates space for authentic presence.
  • A tough season doesn’t mean a tough lifetime.


📣If the holidays feel heavy this year, know that you’re not alone — and you don’t have to push through in perfection mode.

💛 Follow The Grounded Leader for more soulful conversations that blend Ayurveda, leadership, and emotional wellbeing.
🌿 Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or loved one who might need the reminder that grace and grief can coexist.

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Angie's Bio

Angie is a Global Wellness Speaker who champions the intersection between physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, Author, and Renowned Fitness Expert, Angie empowers individuals and organizations worldwide with evidence-based strategies for mental and physical wellbeing. With years of experience helping individuals navigate loss, transition, and high-pressure seasons, Angie brings deep wisdom on how we can meet ourselves with self-compassion, both/and thinking, and the grace of letting go.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 12: The Gratitude Advantage - Why Thankfulness Fuels Entrepreneurship09 Dec 202500:33:19

🎙️ Episode Description

The Gratitude Advantage: Why Thankfulness Fuels Entrepreneurship

In this illuminating episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with the incomparable Laura Mignott—a culture-shaper, master connector, and visionary who leads teams that build unforgettable, high-impact brand experiences. Known for her magnetic presence and her ability to “know everyone,” Laura brings wisdom, humor, and heart to our conversation.

Together, we explore an entrepreneurial superpower that rarely gets the spotlight: gratitude. Far beyond a feel-good concept, gratitude is a strategic lens that transforms how we lead, innovate, and navigate uncertainty. It softens the edges of stress, fuels clarity, and strengthens resilience—while also shaping compassionate teams and emotionally intelligent companies.

Through personal stories and practical reflections, this episode invites you to rethink gratitude not as a “soft skill,” but as a hard-working leadership asset. Whether you’re scaling a business, leading a team, or simply trying to stay grounded in an ever-shifting world, this conversation will show you why thankfulness isn’t a luxury—it’s a competitive advantage.

✨ Key Takeaways

  • Gratitude reframes the entrepreneurial journey
  • Thankfulness strengthens leadership 
  • Gratitude is a team-culture builder
  • Innovation thrives in a grateful mind
  • Gratitude during setbacks 
  • Expressing gratitude outwardly

📣 If this episode helped you see gratitude in a new light, I’d love for you to support the show:

✨ Subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode
✨ Rate & Review to help more leaders and entrepreneurs discover these conversations
✨ Share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that gratitude is a leadership strategy—not an afterthought

Until next time, stay grounded, stay grateful, and keep leading with intention.

--------------------------------------------

Laura Mignott is a visionary business leader, cultural strategist, and brand innovator with over 15 years of executive experience shaping the future of marketing, communications, and experiential engagement. As the CEO of You Are Home (YAH), Laura helps Fortune 500 brands grow through inclusive storytelling, cultural fluency, and deep audience insight—driving business transformation in industries from tech to CPG, luxury to healthcare.

Her voice has been featured in Forbes, AdWeek, Essence, and Business Insider, and she is a frequent speaker at premier industry events including Cannes Lions, SXSW, Beet.TV,  CES  & more.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 11: How Grief Can Lead to Healing and Growth25 Nov 202500:30:36

🎙️ In this heartfelt episode I sit down with Reshma Kearney, a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher and Healing Guide who helps individuals and families navigate life after loss. 

After losing her husband to suicide in 2022, Reshma turned to mindfulness and movement as lifelines in her own healing. Today, she leads Healing Circles for those walking the difficult path of grief, creating compassionate spaces for remembrance, release, and renewal. To me, she is a real leader helping her children, family, and communities grieve and heal with compassion.

Together, we explore how grief can become a teacher — guiding us toward deeper self-awareness, tenderness, and purpose.


🎧 Key Takeaways

  1. Grief reshapes us. It can become a powerful teacher that deepens our empathy, resilience, and connection to what truly matters.
  2. Healing isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about learning to live with love, loss, and gratitude all at once — honoring the full range of human experience.
  3. Movement and mindfulness reconnect us. Simple, embodied practices can help us feel grounded and reclaim parts of ourselves that grief can silence.
  4. Community heals what isolation cannot. Healing Circles and shared spaces remind us we don’t have to carry pain alone — collective healing creates profound transformation.
  5. Purpose can emerge from pain. When we allow grief to soften rather than harden us, it can guide us toward service, creativity, and deeper meaning in life and leadership.


📣 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone and connect with Reshma for grief and mindfulness support.

📚 And for a deeper exploration, pick up my book The Loss That Binds Us — part memoir, part guide — wherever books are sold.

💡 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Grounded Leader so we can keep creating space for these real, human conversations.


If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 10: Regaining Your Equilibrium: Should shouldering the demands of your life come at a cost?13 Nov 202500:38:42

🎙️ Podcast: Regaining Your Equilibrium: Should Shouldering the Demands of Your Life Come at a Cost?

Leaders in the “sandwich generation” often carry a silent load: managing teams and businesses, raising children, and caring for aging parents—all while trying to keep their own lives intact. On the outside, they look like powerhouses. Inside? Many feel stretched thin, unseen, and close to breaking.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Aditi Davray, consultant to nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sector organizations and doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy at NYU. She's also a certified Domestic Violence Advocate and was recognized as an Advocate of New York in 2021 by the Mayor's Office to End Gender-Based Violence. 

Together, we unpack the toll of nonstop caregiving and leading, and explore how women in particular experience unseen pressures, guilt, and identity shifts during this stage of life.

We also look at how organizations and families can step up, what wellness practices like Ayurveda and mindfulness can offer, and how redefining success can help leaders in the sandwich generation reclaim energy, agency, and fulfillment.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the world for everyone else while quietly putting your own dreams on pause, this conversation is for you.


🔑 Key Takeaways

  • The invisible weight of caregiving & leadership: Why women leaders in the sandwich generation face unique challenges.
  • The emotional toll: How guilt, grief, and burnout quietly shape both careers and personal lives.
  • Identity shifts: What happens when leadership collides with caregiving and women begin to question their sense of self.
  • Ripple effects in the workplace: How silent burnout affects teams, organizations, and culture.
  • Pathways to resilience: Small but powerful ways women can prioritize their own well-being without guilt.
  • Redefining success: Moving away from “doing it all” toward living fully, sustainably, and with balance.
  • The role of holistic practices: How Ayurveda, yoga, and mindfulness can anchor leaders through this demanding life stage.

📣 My friend, if you’re listening and feel seen by today’s conversation, know this: you’re not failing—you’re simply carrying too much. You deserve support, rest, and dreams that don’t have to wait for “someday.”

👉 Share this episode with another woman in your life who’s quietly holding it all together. Start a conversation, and let her know she’s not alone.
👉 For more resources on balance and Ayurvedic wellness for leaders, connect with me on Instagram @swetavikram or visit www.swetavikram.com.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 9: Sleep, Success & the Subtle Body—The Nightly Rituals of Grounded Leaders30 Oct 202500:07:02

Sleep, Success & the Subtle Body—The Nightly Rituals of Grounded Leaders

Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s leadership hygiene. In this episode of The Grounded Leader, host Sweta Vikram unpacks why insomnia is more than a personal struggle—it’s a leadership crisis.

Drawing from both Ayurvedic wisdom and modern science, we explore how poor sleep depletes ojas (your vitality), disrupts your subtle body, and derails your ability to make wise, grounded decisions. You’ll learn why high-achievers are especially vulnerable to vata imbalances that keep the mind racing at night—and how nightly rituals can help restore balance, clarity, and resilience.

🌿 Inside this episode:

  • The hidden leadership cost of poor sleep.
  • How Ayurveda views sleep as one of the three pillars of life.
  • Why “tired but wired” nights signal a deeper imbalance.
  • Five grounding rituals leaders can adopt tonight to improve sleep and performance.

Because the world doesn’t need more sleep-deprived leaders running on fumes. It needs rested, intuitive, and radiant ones.

✨ If this episode resonated, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a fellow leader, founder, or entrepreneur who’s been struggling with burnout or sleepless nights.

🌙 Download my Free Rejuvenating Sleep Guide to start your own nightly ritual today.

💌 For personalized Ayurvedic coaching on sleep, stress, and leadership wellness, connect with me directly at swetavikram.com

Until next time—stay rooted. Stay rested. Stay radiant.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 8: Breaking the Mold: One Leader’s Ayurvedic Awakening16 Oct 202500:29:52

What happens when a high-achieving entrepreneur hits burnout, questions everything, and decides to rewrite the rules of success?

On today’s episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Paula M. Trott—a former co-founder of a thriving packaging prototyping business—who courageously walked away from the boardroom and into the healing world of Ayurveda.

Paula’s journey didn’t begin in balance. At the height of her career, she found herself burnt out, unwell, and disconnected. The turning point? Realizing she was living out of alignment. What followed was a courageous unraveling: stepping away from her company, confronting stereotypes and skepticism, silencing her inner critic, and reimagining success on her own terms.

Today, she’s not only an Ayurvedic practitioner but also the creative force behind Ayu Chocolates—a handcrafted Ayurvedic chocolate line tailored to your unique doshic type.

🌟 Key Takeaways 

  • Burnout is a wake-up call, not a weakness. Paula’s body signaled that something was off long before she admitted it, reminding us that ignoring symptoms only delays healing.
  • Success without alignment isn’t sustainable. Even at the peak of her entrepreneurial career, Paula felt disconnected—showing that external achievement doesn’t always equal inner fulfillment.
  • Courage means letting go. Walking away from a thriving business took bravery, but it opened the door to a more meaningful and health-centered life.
  • Ayurveda can be a turning point. Discovering Ayurvedic wisdom gave Paula tools to reconnect with herself, restore balance, and redefine her path.
  • The “messy middle” is part of the process. Healing isn’t linear; unraveling old patterns and facing doubts is part of transformation.
  • Inner critics are often louder than external skeptics. Paula shares how silencing her own doubts was harder than confronting others’ opinions.
  • Redefining success creates freedom. Today, Paula’s definition of success is rooted in wellness, creativity, and service—not relentless performance.
  • Leadership evolves when grounded. With Ayurveda as her foundation, Paula leads and creates from a place of clarity and balance.
  • Healing can be joyful (and delicious!). Through Ayu Chocolates, Paula shows that wellness practices don’t have to be rigid—they can be creative and enjoyable.

✨ Ready to ground yourself in wellness over performance?
Tap follow on The Grounded Leader and share this episode with a friend or colleague who’s ready for a more sustainable way to lead.

🍫 Don’t forget to explore Paula’s handcrafted Ayurvedic chocolates at [Ayu Chocolates]—because healing can be delicious too: https://ayuchocolates.etsy.com/

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 7: Why Solo Trips Are an Important Part of Wellness and Integral to Leadership Success.02 Oct 202500:34:58

In this episode of The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance, I sit down with April Jarrett, Executive Director at ACDN, who brings over 15 years of experience in operations management and strategic planning. April is a champion of whole-person leadership—one that values balance, self-awareness, and the courage to step away in order to return stronger.

Our conversation centers on why solo trips aren’t just leisure—they’re a vital practice for wellness and leadership success. Through an Ayurvedic and holistic lens, we explore how solitude and changing environments foster mental clarity, stress relief, resilience, and creativity.

✨ Key Takeaways

  • Solitude fuels leadership: Solo travel allows leaders to step away from constant connectivity and return with renewed clarity and vision.
  • Ayurvedic perspective: Aligning with natural rhythms during travel supports balance, creativity, and emotional regulation.
  • Mindset shift: Solo trips should be reframed not as indulgence, but as an investment in leadership and well-being.
  • Practical insights: April shares stories of how solo journeys helped her reconnect with herself and return as a more grounded and compassionate leader.
  • Advice for professionals: Tips on overcoming guilt or hesitation about solo travel and embracing it as a pathway to personal and professional renewal.

📢 If this episode inspired you to rethink wellness and leadership through the lens of solitude, share it with a colleague, friend, or leader in your life who could benefit from the reminder. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode that helps you lead from balance, not burnout.

💡 What about you? Have you ever taken a solo trip that shifted how you show up as a leader? I’d love to hear your story—tag me on social media or drop me a message.

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Full Bio:

April Jarrett carries almost 20 years of experience in operations management and strategic planning, guiding both U.S. and international organizations to thrive with clarity and purpose. She is passionate about building systems, communities, and leaders that are both effective and sustainable.

April’s whole-person approach to leadership emphasizes self-awareness, balance, and the courage to step away in order to return stronger. She believes solo trips are not only a vital practice for personal wellness, but also a powerful tool for cultivating self-confidence, resilience, and vision - qualities she models for her children, her team, and the leaders she mentors.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 24: Why Self-Care Isn’t Helping Your Mental Health (And What Actually Does)19 May 202600:04:57

🎙️Podcast Description

Why does self-care sometimes leave us feeling just as exhausted as before?

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, I explore a quiet but common experience among high-achieving professionals: doing all the “right” self-care practices—meditation, boundaries, rest—and still feeling anxious, depleted, or emotionally flat.

The truth is, many modern self-care practices assume a regulated nervous system. But when the body is operating in survival mode—marked by chronic stress, high cortisol, and constant alertness—surface-level care often doesn’t land.

In this conversation, I share why mental health isn’t only about mindset or emotional processing. It’s also about capacity—the body’s ability to feel safe enough to rest, recover, and reconnect.

Drawing from Ayurvedic wisdom and nervous-system science, this episode reframes mental health not as another task to manage, but as something supported through rhythm, restoration, and sustainable leadership practices.

If you’ve ever wondered why self-care isn’t working the way it’s supposed to, this episode offers a compassionate and grounding perspective.


🎧🪷👉🏼 In This Episode I Explore

  • Why traditional self-care often falls short for high achievers
  • The role of the nervous system in mental health and burnout
  • Why productivity culture can keep leaders stuck in survival mode
  • The difference between self-care and nervous-system care
  • How rhythm and regulation support sustainable leadership

📧 If this conversation resonated, I share gentle weekly reflections on nervous-system health, leadership, and sustainable wellbeing in my weekly newsletter.

Each note is short, grounded, and designed to help your body exhale—without adding more pressure to your day.

👉📩 Subscribe to the newsletter


Until next time,
lead grounded, not depleted. 🎙️

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 6: Ayurvedic Nutrition for Mental Clarity and Better Decision-Making18 Sep 202500:10:27

Ayurvedic Nutrition for Mental Clarity and Better Decision-Making

If your brain feels foggy by 3 p.m., if you find yourself staring at your fridge wondering why you opened it, or if you’ve been making decisions you later regret—it might not be your willpower at fault. It could be your gut.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore how Ayurvedic nutrition can sharpen your focus, boost your mental clarity, and support smarter, more intuitive decisions. You’ll learn why what’s on your plate directly impacts how you think, lead, and show up in the world—and how simple, intentional changes in your eating habits can transform your leadership capacity.

Whether you’re a high-performing leader, solopreneur, or someone navigating constant decision-making, this episode offers timeless Ayurvedic strategies for nourishing your mind and making better choices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gut-brain connection: Why Ayurveda sees digestion (agni) as the key to clear thinking and effective decision-making.
  • What to eat for a sharper mind: Foods that enhance clarity (and what to avoid when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or foggy).
  • Dosha-based nutrition hacks: Tailored tips for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha leaders to stay mentally grounded and focused.
  • Practical rituals for clarity: Eight simple daily habits—from meal timing to mindful eating—that can reset your mind and energy.
  • Why nourishment is a leadership strategy: How feeding yourself intentionally helps you lead with wisdom, focus, and resilience.

👉🏼 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague or friend who could use a little more clarity in their day (you know the one who calls coffee “lunch”).

💡 Want to take it deeper? Grab my free guide, 🌿The 5-Minute Ayurveda Reset, and start transforming your energy and focus today. 

And if you loved what you heard, don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode on leading with balance, purpose, and resilience.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 5: The Toxic Trap of Modern Productivity & How Ayurveda Can Help04 Sep 202500:37:47

What if productivity isn’t about cramming more into your day—but aligning your energy with what truly matters?

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Ayurvedic Doctor, Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff—an award-winning brand strategist turned Doctor of Ayurveda—to explore how the ancient science of Ayurveda reframes time management. We unpack how syncing your schedule with your natural doshic rhythms (rather than your to-do list) can revolutionize your energy, focus, and leadership.

If you’ve been stuck in the hustle cycle—chasing deadlines, running on fumes, and feeling like you’re always “on”—this conversation offers a radically different approach: one that honors your life force (prana) and gives you more clarity, creativity, and calm.

Key Takeaways

  • Time ≠ Money. Time = Prana. Learn why Ayurveda considers time a vital life force and how this perspective shifts your productivity mindset.
  • The Doshic Clock. Understand how Ayurveda divides the day into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha phases—and how to use this to optimize when you work, create, and rest.
  • Signs You’re Working Against Your Energy. From burnout to brain fog, discover red flags that you’re misaligned with your natural rhythms.
  • Practical First Steps. Simple adjustments you can make—today—to align your tasks with your energy flow.
  • Why This Works for Leaders. How small daily rituals create massive impacts in leadership, creativity, and team dynamics.

🎧 Listen now to this episode of The Grounded Leader with Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff.
👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
👉 Share it with someone who needs to hear this—because aligned energy is contagious.
👉 Visit swetavikram.com for tools and resources to help you lead with balance and intention.


About Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff

Dr. Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff believes in unlocking the innate wisdom and uniqueness of each individual, helping them to restore their health and vitality from within, through the ancient science of Ayurveda. Her clinical practice is grounded in the foundational principles of Ayurveda, root cause medicine, and a profound respect for natural law and circadian rhythms. 

Prior to becoming a doctor of Ayurveda, she held an award-winning career in brand strategy and macro-trend forecasting, leading global creative teams for multi-million dollar brands in the luxury and wellness industries for over 10years. Since discovering Ayurveda in the early 2000’s, Lindsey has been dedicated to living, practicing and diving deeper into this ancient science of life, and slowly integrating the principles into work and home life. A lifelong dancer, an injury led her to discover yoga while healing and looking for a transition out of dance. She was drawn to the Ashtanga practice, its history, philosophy and the awakening effects it has on the body. A deeper study of yoga led her to its sister science of Ayurveda, which lit the fire and opened her eyes to the extraordinary healing capacity of the mind and body.  She has spent almost two decades studying, practicing and integrating Vedic teachings into her life, and witnessing the profound healing effects on her entire family.

Lindsey is a certified Doctor of Ayurveda, and has had the privilege of studying both clinical practice and traditional materia medica with renowned Vaidyas and Ayurvedic experts in both the US and India. She has completed clinical and pancha karma training at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa, received her Doctorate from Sai Institute of Ayurveda, studied the ancient art of pulse diagnosis with Dr. Vasant Lad, train

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 4: The Back-to-Busy Trap: How to Avoid Burning Out Before Fall21 Aug 202500:07:48

The Back-to-Busy Trap: How to Avoid Burning Out Before Fall

Does late August feel like slamming your foot on the gas? One moment you’re savoring summer; the next, your calendar is overflowing, and your energy feels scattered. That’s what I call The Back-to-Busy Trap—the cultural push to “make up for lost time” by jumping back into a frenzied pace.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore why this seasonal shift feels so jarring—and how Ayurvedic wisdom can help you transition into fall with steadiness instead of burnout. You’ll learn:

  • Why September sparks the urge to overcommit (and how to resist it)
  • The Ayurvedic view of the Pitta-to-Vata shift—and how it impacts your energy
  • Practical routines to ground your mornings, protect your calendar, and create seasonal rituals
  • A powerful mindset shift for leaders: Why busyness isn’t a badge of honor

If you’re ready to leave the hustle behind and enter fall feeling focused, calm, and in control, this episode is your roadmap.

Feeling stuck in the Back-to-Busy Trap?
Let’s change that together. Book your free 20-minute Ayurvedic discovery call—we’ll create a personalized plan to help you protect your energy and thrive this fall.

📩 Book Your Call Here or visit my website.
🎧 Subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode designed to help you succeed from a place of balance.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 3: Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor—It’s a Warning07 Aug 202500:09:38

Is burnout your default setting? In this powerful episode of The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance —host Sweta Vikram challenges the toxic narrative that burnout is a sign of commitment or success.

From sleepless nights to simmering irritability, Sweta breaks down how burnout shows up differently for each Ayurvedic dosha—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and why high-performing leaders are especially at risk. Through personal stories and ancient Ayurvedic insights, she helps you recognize the early whispers of burnout before they become full-blown breakdowns.

You’ll learn:

  • Why burnout isn’t a flex—it’s a red flag.
  • How leaders unknowingly commit prajnaparadha (the mistake of ignoring inner wisdom).
  • Dosha-specific signs of burnout—and what to do about them.
  • Daily Ayurvedic strategies to realign your mind, body, and spirit.
  • Why rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy.

Listen to your body before it has to shout.

🎧 Tune in, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and reimagine what grounded, successful leadership can look like. This episode is a permission slip for every high-achiever to slow down without guilt and lead from a place of clarity, compassion, and strength.

👉 If this episode spoke to your soul, share it with a friend or colleague who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, or connect with me on Instagram @swetavikram.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 2: Rooted to Rise - Why Ayurveda & Mindfulness Are Non-Negotiables for Today’s Leaders24 Jul 202500:09:21

In this episode of The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance we explore why Ayurveda and mindfulness aren’t just “nice-to-haves” — they’re essential frameworks for modern leadership. In a world that glorifies speed, productivity, and mental overload, leaders need a deeper operating system. One that aligns the body, mind, and purpose. Enter: Ayurveda and mindfulness.

We’ve been conditioned to lead from the neck up. Focus on results. Stay productive. Push through. But that model is crumbling. Leaders are burning out. Creativity is shrinking. And nervous systems are maxed out.

Ayurveda and mindfulness invite us into a different way. One where the quality of your presence is your true power. One where your body and mind are allies, not obstacles.


👉🏽 Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

💬 Leave a review if something resonates—it helps other grounded leaders find us.

📤 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that health is their greatest leadership asset.

🔗 Explore Abhyanga—a practice where you massage your own body with warm oil prior to taking a shower. It's a comforting exercise that helps put the mind and body at ease. It can be energizing, stimulating, and relaxing depending on the season and the oil you use.

😴Get the 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 which helps you create a dependable sleep routine and as a result perform better as a leader.

Until next time, stay grounded and lead from within.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 1: The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything10 Jul 202500:09:52

What happens when the body—after years of whispering—finally yells “no”? In this deeply personal and powerful premiere episode, host Sweta Vikram shares the story behind The Grounded Leader. From climbing mountains in Central Europe to being confined to a couch, from receiving awards to being put on the cancer watch list—Sweta reveals the physical, emotional, and spiritual unraveling that forced her to redefine success, leadership, and well-being.

This is more than a health story. It’s a leadership story.
It’s a wake-up call for anyone who looks put-together on the outside but feels out of sync within.

Through Ayurveda—India’s 5,000-year-old science of life—Sweta found not just healing, but a roadmap for sustainable success. And she’s here to share it with you.

If you’ve ever thought:

  • “I should be happy, but I’m exhausted.”
  • “I’m successful—but I feel disconnected from myself.”
  • “There has to be a better way to lead and live…”

…you’re not alone. And you’re in the right place.


👉🏽 Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
💬 Leave a review if something resonates—it helps other grounded leaders find us.
📤 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that health is their greatest leadership asset.
🔗 Explore these Ayurvedic tools and free resources to begin your own wellness journey today.

Let’s walk this path together—because you don’t have to choose between excellence and well-being.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Intro Episode: The Grounded Leader Begins: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Ambition28 Jun 202500:05:06

In this powerful opening episode, Sweta Vikram introduces The Grounded Leader—a podcast at the intersection of Ayurvedic wisdom and modern leadership. She explores why traditional markers of success like KPIs and productivity often come at the expense of your well-being, and how your nervous system, sleep, digestion, and emotional resilience are just as critical to your leadership impact. 

You’ll learn how Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old science of life, offers personalized tools to help you lead with clarity, calm, and strength. Sweta shares what you can expect in upcoming episodes (candid conversations, practical strategies, and a redefinition of success that starts within), and who this space is for—from HR leaders to founders to high-achieving professionals craving a more sustainable path to success.  

If you're ready to lead from a place of alignment—not exhaustion—this episode is your invitation.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 23: From the Boardroom to the Dance Floor: Leadership Lessons in Discipline, Rhythm, Presence, and Flow05 May 202600:38:44

🎙️Podcast Description


What can dance teach us about leadership, business, and life?

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Ruchika Dias—corporate leader, entrepreneur, and founder of a thriving Bollywood dance school in Houston—to explore the unexpected yet powerful intersection between dance and leadership. Deeply committed to community building, Ruchika is passionate about empowering others—especially women—to lead with confidence, balance, and purpose.

Ruchika’s journey spans boardrooms, business ventures, and creative expression. And through it all, she’s discovered that the same principles that make a great dancer—discipline, rhythm, presence, and flow—are the very qualities that shape impactful, grounded leaders.

🎧 In our conversation, we explore:

  • How discipline creates consistency and trust in leadership
  • Why rhythm is essential for timing, alignment, and decision-making
  • The role of presence in high-pressure, fast-moving environments
  • How flow allows leaders to adapt, pivot, and lead with resilience

Ruchika also shares real-world stories from her corporate career and entrepreneurial journey, along with insights on building community, leading with intention, and staying grounded while navigating change.


🎧🔁🤝  If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share it with a friend who leads, and leave us a review—it helps more leaders discover this space of balance and growth.


✨BIO

Ruchika Singh Dias is a multi-hyphenate leader—corporate executive, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and artist—who bridges the worlds of business, creativity, and community. She has spent years in Corporate America working across technology roles including IT consulting, project management, and program management, experiences that shaped her structured, people-centered, and results-driven leadership style.

Alongside her corporate career, Ruchika founded Bollywood Shake, a premier dance and event company that blends discipline, creativity, and cultural storytelling, inspiring hundreds through performance and community engagement. She has also led platforms such as the South Asia Bollywood Pageant International, celebrating South Asian talent and culture.

Ruchika is also the founder of JVD Properties, a real estate investment firm focused on building long-term wealth through rentals, value-add projects, and strategic acquisitions. With a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin, she brings analytical rigor and creative flow to every venture she leads.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 22: What Ancient Wisdom Gets Right About Stress (That Modern Leadership Gets Wrong)21 Apr 202600:06:07

🎙️Podcast Description


Why do so many high achievers feel exhausted despite success? In this solo episode of The Grounded Leader, I explore what ancient wisdom teaches us about stress, burnout, and nervous system regulation—and why modern leadership culture may be asking our bodies to operate in ways they were never designed to sustain. 

In today’s high-performance culture, stress is often framed as a personal weakness or something leaders should simply “manage better.” But ancient systems like Ayurveda understood stress very differently. In this episode I explain why leadership burnout is not a personal failure but a biological response to chronic stress.

I share why stress is not a character flaw but biological feedback, how the body experiences stress before the mind recognizes it, and why chronic stress eventually overrides willpower—even in high achievers.

You’ll also hear why ancient health systems emphasized rhythm, recovery, and nourishment, and how the loss of these rhythms in modern work culture contributes to burnout, fatigue, poor sleep, and emotional exhaustion.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted but wired, productive yet disconnected, or successful but unwell, this episode offers a powerful reframe on stress and sustainable leadership.


📌Key Topics in This Episode

  • Stress and burnout in modern leadership
  • Nervous system dysregulation and chronic stress
  • Why high achievers struggle with exhaustion
  • The role of rhythm in mental and physical health
  • Ancient wisdom from Ayurveda applied to modern stress


🎧Thank you for listening to The Grounded Leader. If this episode felt grounding, share it with someone who might need permission to slow down—and I’ll see you in the next conversation. 

👉 Work with Me: Ayurvedic Leadership Coaching
A nervous-system-led, grief-informed approach to sustainable leadership.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 21: The Tipping Point That Redefined Success07 Apr 202600:34:06

🎙️Podcast Description


What happens when success, as you’ve always defined it, begins to cost you your health?

In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with branding expert Shay Charles—an award-winning strategist known for helping small businesses become unforgettable brands. But behind the accolades is a story many high performers will recognize: pushing through, ignoring the signs, and ultimately reaching a breaking point.

Two years ago, Shay was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome—a life-altering moment that forced him to reevaluate everything: how he worked, how he lived, and what success truly meant.


👉🏼Together, we explore:

  • The early signs of burnout and imbalance that often go unnoticed
  • The emotional and physical toll of high achievement culture
  • What the rebuilding process really looks like after a health crisis
  • The silent pressure men face around vulnerability and emotional expression
  • How redefining wellness becomes essential for sustainable success
  • Practical ways to stay grounded when life gets demanding


🎧This conversation is not just about illness—it’s about identity, resilience, and the courage to change before everything falls apart.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside while struggling within, this episode is for you.

📌🔁🤝 Thank you for listening to The Grounded Leader. If this episode felt grounding, share it with someone who needs permission to slow down.


✨BIO

Shay Charles Awogbile is a branding expert who transforms small businesses into memorable brands. His strategy methods and design chops have earned him numerous awards and the recognition of leading industry experts. He is passionate about the power of branding in creating value for small and medium-sized businesses.

He is Nigerian-born, with eight years of design education, four of which are from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Shay leads his branding agency, BrandPlus Design as the principal strategist and creative director.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 20: Grief in the Corner Office--Leading When Your Heart is Heavy24 Mar 202600:09:59

🎧 Podcast Episode Description


🎙️Grief in the Corner Office: Leading When Your Heart is Heavy

Leadership often asks us to be composed, focused, and reliable. But what happens when grief enters the room with us?

In this deeply reflective episode of The Grounded Leader, Sweta explores the often-unspoken reality of grieving while leading. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a health crisis, the end of a relationship, or the quiet collapse of a dream, grief doesn’t wait until the workday ends—it travels with us into meetings, decisions, and responsibilities.

Through an Ayurvedic lens, Sweta explains how grief manifests differently in the body and mind through the doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and how understanding these patterns can help leaders care for themselves while continuing to show up for others.

This episode is an invitation to challenge the myth of the invincible leader and embrace a more compassionate model of leadership—one that honors humanity, emotional resilience, and presence.

You’ll also learn simple grounding micro-practices that can support nervous system balance while navigating loss.

Because the truth is: you can grieve and lead at the same time.


🌿 Key Themes in This Episode

• Grief in high-performing leadership environments
• The myth of the invincible leader
• Understanding grief through Ayurveda and the doshas
• Nervous system awareness during emotional loss
• Gentle practices for leaders navigating grief


🎙️🪷 Ready for deeper, personalized support?
If you’re navigating grief and looking for a grounded, compassionate path forward, Rooted Resilience—my 1:1 grief coaching experience—offers integrative support through Ayurveda, mindfulness, and trauma-informed yoga.

👉🏼 Learn more and apply to work with me. You don’t have to move through this alone.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 19: Leading through Transition--Menopause, Trauma & the Regulated Leader10 Mar 202600:38:17

🎙️Podcast Description

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore how menopause intersects with trauma, chronic stress, and nervous system regulation—and why this transition can feel particularly intense for high-achieving women.

Joined by mindfulness-based cognitive therapist, acupuncturist, and trauma-informed consultant Mita Mistry, we unpack how unprocessed stress and trauma can be stored in the body and why menopause often becomes the moment when the body demands a different way of leading—one rooted in regulation rather than resilience-at-all-costs. Mita is also the author of globally read books <see bio>.


🎧 Listener Takeaways

• Menopause is more than hormonal—it’s neurological. Symptoms like anxiety, sleep disruption, and brain fog often reflect a nervous system that has been under chronic stress.
• Many high-achieving women aren’t losing their edge. Their bodies are signaling a shift from endurance to regulation.
• Menopause can be a leadership transition, inviting women to lead with greater clarity, boundaries, and embodied authority.
Your body isn’t betraying you—it’s asking you to lead differently.


🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

After you listen, I’d love to hear from you: What part of this conversation resonated most with your experience of midlife or leadership?

💌 Leave a comment or send me a message—these conversations help shift how we think about menopause and women’s leadership.


✨BIO

Mita Mistry is an award-winning healthcare leader, therapist, and author and columnist with over 20 years of experience in mental health and wellbeing. A specialist in trauma-informed care, she is a prominent advocate for inclusive healthcare and the creator of "The Power of Mindfulness," a not-for-profit initiative making mental health tools accessible to all.

Mita is the author of globally read books, All You Need is Rest, How to Understand and Deal with Social Anxiety, and The Social Anxiety Workbook. Beyond her clinical practice, she is a sought-after consultant and trainer, delivering specialised workshops to schools, charities, hospital doctors, and corporate leadership teams.

As the host of the Amazon-recommended podcast Healing Place and a frequent contributor to BBC Radio, Mita provides expert insight to a global audience, helping individuals navigate complex challenges ranging from trauma and anxiety to physical health issues.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

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Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 18: Body as Ally: Reclaiming Fitness Through the Lens of Leadership24 Feb 202600:05:28

🎙️Podcast Description


In honor of Women’s History Month, this episode of The Grounded Leader invites women leaders to rethink what fitness truly means. Too often, we’re taught to treat our bodies as projects to be perfected rather than allies to be trusted.


Host Sweta Vikram, Ayurvedic Doctor, author, and leadership coach, explores how movement can become an act of self-respect, not self-surveillance. Through reflection, ancient wisdom, and practical guidance, she reframes fitness as embodied leadership—a way to listen, restore, and lead with grounded power.

This is your reminder that your body isn’t an obstacle to your success—it’s your greatest instrument for it.


🌿 Key Takeaways

  1. Reclaim the Narrative: Move away from the “shrink and prove” mindset and toward one that honors your body’s intelligence and intuition.
  2. Embodiment = Leadership: Physical awareness enhances emotional intelligence, boundaries, and authentic presence in leadership.
  3. Flow Over Force: Align movement with your natural rhythms and life cycles—strength and stillness are both forms of power.
  4. Mind-Body Check-Ins: Simple daily rituals can reconnect you to your body and regulate your nervous system.
  5. Model Wholeness: When women leaders embody this approach, they give permission for others to lead with integrity, balance, and self-trust.


🎯 If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to:

  • Share this episode with a woman leader who inspires you.
  • Reflect: Ask yourself, “Is my movement routine supporting or draining my leadership?”
  • Connect: Visit swetavikram.com to explore Ayurvedic coaching or book a discovery call to align your body, mind, and leadership for your next chapter.
  • Subscribe to The Grounded Leader for more conversations on holistic success and grounded leadership.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

Episode 17: Leading with Empathy and Authenticity10 Feb 202600:30:08

🎙️In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore what it truly means to lead with empathy, authenticity, and a healthy dose of quirk. My guest, Karla Pamanes, is an award-winning designer, branding expert, and mentor based in San Antonio, Texas. Over her 15-year career, she’s worked with powerhouse brands like HGTV, Food Network, and Brit+Co, and now helps creative professionals build brands that tell human stories through The Brand Design Academy.

Karla opens up about how seeing the best in people, honoring her rituals (from snail mail to solo Trader Joe’s trips), and embracing imperfection have shaped her leadership and creative philosophy. Together, we unpack how small, personal joys can keep leaders grounded in high-pressure environments — and why playfulness, empathy, and boundaries aren’t weaknesses, but strengths.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why quirks make leaders more relatable and human.
  • How empathy creates trust and stronger team culture.
  • The power of everyday rituals in staying centered and creative.
  • How moments of pause — even procrastination — can become powerful resets.


🎧 Loved this conversation? Don’t forget to follow The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode about leading with balance, authenticity, and heart.

💌 Share this episode with a friend or colleague who leads with empathy — or wants to start.

💡 Listen now and rediscover how authenticity can transform the way you lead, create, and connect.
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.


✨BIO

Karla Pamanes is an award-winning designer, branding expert, and mentor based out of San Antonio, Texas. She has designed for brands such as HGTV, Food Network, Brit+Co, in addition to several other amazing companies. Her focus is on building branding that tells a story and reflects the core values of a company.  Her motto is to "be the person you needed when you were younger." She created "The Brand Design Academy" to share the knowledge and experience she has learned over her 15 years working with corporate brands and small businesses. 

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram  |  LinkedInFacebook  |  YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs. 

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