Two Equals: Love, Respect, and the Courage to Change Course with Meera & Prashant

I have to get education and get out. There's no way I'm going to be depending on somebody else's income. Gives you the sense of peace or your me time to to be able to focus very well back at work and other things and to break that stereotype about Andhra Ford just being a biryani or Gonguru Pachdi or a couple of you know, two or three things that people. Go to. Strength to say no to some of the things, even even now I'm pretty bad at that. Then I will only give credit to Prashanth. I think if anybody, if it was anybody else, I don't think our relationship would have survived or I would have survived this.

Welcome to Portraits of Strength, the podcast where we share real stories of resilience, growth, and the moments that shape who we become. I'm your host, Harry the anecdotist. Strength doesn't always look like a single defining moment. Sometimes it looks like two people walking side by side, choosing again and again to grow, to support, and to become. Today, on Portraits of Strength, I'm joined by a couple whose journey spans continents, careers and courage. Mira Girija Tardimeti, an architect by training, a chef by passion whose life has been shaped by resilience, self-awareness and the courage to reinvent herself beyond expectations.

And Prashant Kumar Ivaturi, an AI product leader, marathon runner and performer at heart who has pushed his physical, mental and emotional limits from endurance. Racist. Sorry. From endurance races to hosting global stages. From building a life together in the US to returning to India and redefining success on their own terms. From running marathons and hosting global AI summits to walking away from stable career to follow a lifelong passion, this story is about self-awareness, reinvention, partnership, and the quiet strength it takes to choose your own path, even when it's uncertain.

Please welcome Girija and Prashanth. Thank you so much for agreeing to be on my podcast. The pleasure is all ours. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for having us. For sure. So let's actually dive into it. Let's go back to before you both met. What did your childhood look like and what kind of environment shaped who you are becoming do? You want to go first. I think it's a little middle class family, you know, always pressure to perform, you know, top the classes, top the grades, be the best child because I'm the yeah, eldest in the family.

And, you know, there was always this sense of responsibility hovering over my shoulders saying, you know, you have to be the ideal child and do whatever it takes to get to wherever it takes. So typical, I think Indian childhood was that, you know, there were core like, you know, inspiring figures around me. I think that shaped probably my journey in a subtle way. OK. Yeah, and mine was slightly different from hers. I mean, though the middle class values we share that there's an extended family that we both belong to, but the same time there's the the constant, only constant in my childhood journey was change and changing of places.

So I grew up in parts within the country and that shaped a lot of the thoughts, allowed me to learn and pick up different languages along the way. And it it introduced me to various cultures. So that's how my childhood was. So, you know, in stay put in one place. But the, the zeal, the passion to perform on stage, I think I got that from my mother, especially because she always encouraged me as a teacher to, to go express myself on the stage. So mono acting, drama, sports, they asked me, would you love to do it?

And I said yes, why not? OK it. Was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun. A lot of mischief as well. Yeah, that's what I was going to ask. Like, how were you both like as kids? Where is it more responsibility or more naughtiness or more like, what the hell am I going to do with these kids? And what was that? What was it? How was that? I am the quite rebel. So I was rebellious to the core, right from choosing architecture over other stuff, you know, fighting for getting BR back into Andhra University or you know, I was always the rebel, but.

Nobody. That's I think that's why we became friends, because we share that thing with us. Yeah. Never follow what other people would tell us. They always choose what is right for us. Yeah. Mine and mine was just the opposite. I was the the good kid, at least I would pretend to be. No. So like I said, when I was mischievous, ask any of my classmates, they will tell you how mischievous I was in school. But then you know, the, the on the on the top, you know, as soon as teachers would step by step in, you know, he's a good kid.

I didn't do anything kind of.

We used to have fun but also knew some of my limits as well in as to how OK. That's cool, that's cool. So Girija, this question is for you. You grew up in the middle class family and had to really fight for your education. So what were some of the biggest challenges you remember from that time? I think a funding my own education, I think my parents couldn't afford to send me to college. So figuring out a way to fund my college and still, you know, I was very keen on doing engineering. Later in the engineering journey, I realized I loved architecture, so I moved to architecture.

So choosing that itself was a difficult choice. Then convincing my parents, I literally had to run from the house to just get an admission. So it was, you know, that difficult. And then throughout the throughout my education, I had to do, you know, give tuitions to 10th class students and all to fund my education. Then later on took alone. So I think my entire education, all I remember majorly is, you know, education loans and all the struggles that I had to go through. But I think it was in the end.

OK, but that actually gave you like self-reliance and you know, relying on yourself from a very young. Age, yes, yes, I think it made me think independently. I became my own, you know, I could only depend on myself. So that's how even I look at it right now at life. Although Prashanth has been with me for the last 20 years, but I somehow, you know, my mind always thinks in. I mean, I'm always in a defensive position. I would say you don't because life has taught me. I always think the worst case scenario.

I think that's that's how I've been conditioned all these years. It's very difficult for me to think and relax. I'm always you know what if. The type A personality, it's hard for people with the type of personality to kind of like, relax, right? Was there a specific moment growing up where you kind of like realized I have to rely on myself to build a life that I want? Like is there a specific moment or is it was it just a drastic thing overtime? So my my father believed in astrology a lot. So there was this astrologer who would keep telling us what to do, what not to do.

And I would always be like, I'm not gonna follow him. So he kept saying that I would barely past 10 and I feel proper in the class. I mean, for heaven's sake. And he would. And my parents would still believe him over me. You know, they're seeing my results and they would still think whatever he said. And so they wanted to get me married. So I was seeing potential suitors from almost when I was in 12. Oh my God. OK. I have to get education and get out. There's no way I'm going to be depending on somebody else's income.

I get out and my only pass was, you know, get into a good educational institute. Well, and then, you know, get out of the country. Oh my God. So I mean a small story about me, right? Like it was the same thing like you where I think during my 12th grade, my parents took me to an astrologer, similar thing. And he was like, she doesn't have education or she doesn't have a future in education. She'll barely pass or she'll barely even get her bachelor's degree and whatnot. And I was like, who the hell is this guy to tell me what I'm going to do and what I'm not going to do in my life?

And literally I'll, I literally took that like like who is she to tell me that? And I went and now I have double masters. Correct and. And after getting my masters, I actually went back to that guy again and I said, you told, you told me I don't have an education, but I have a masters degree. And he was like, oh, you must have taken it really strongly and you did it. I'm like, bullshit. Exactly. Seriously, it's a common story I guess, and I had a very similar experience too with us, with the astrologer.

Right. Yeah. I mean, like, I get it that our parents, I think it's the generation difference, right? Yeah. They have challenges and so. For sure. Yeah, easy for them to trust in something then you're right. A chance, right And right. Definitely the chances, right. We were like, you know, let's see what is there. You fearless at that point of time, I don't think I'm the same person, even more with two kids. I mean. Yeah, you learn. You learn as life goes, right? Prashant to you. What did ambition look like for you growing up?

You know, were you always someone who pushed your limits or is that something that evolved over time? Don't get me started on that because the first thing I wanted to be a cycle mechanic, I wanted to be a soldier. I wanted to be in the army, I wanted to be a hero. I want so it was never one thing, but you know, there is this, there is this picture of yourself. You picture yourself as being the, you know, the being the hero or being that guy who has done it all kind of a that. So there were all kinds of imaginations running while in the in the in the mind back then, right.

So that is how the ambition was. I think even after even after college, I wasn't still sure as to which way should I do. In fact, I did one small modeling stint as well as still. Oh wow. Really.

OK. Even then I wanted that was for one of those. Yeah, yeah, for one of those education consulting firms. So they asked me to pose with a one of those, you know, the T scales and all of that for. For honestly, when you said you did a modeling stink, the thing that my went to my mind was jeans and T-shirts and you know lifestyle thing. That was what came to my mind. Educational The. Model child. Yeah, OK, got it. Yeah.

So I still hoping that, you know, maybe someday I will get into the movies or do something like that related to the stage or related to acting or what not. So in. Fact I think even in a dating he wanted to get into politics yeah, he wanted to change things are so. I'm sure that still has that died down or is that still something that's still there? No, moved on, moved on from politics now. So you as you grow older, like you know, she said. You know, you realise that there are certain things that you come to terms with.

I think politics is not my cup of tea. I'd rather find time to do a lot of other things which I'd like to do. OK, OK, So what does it evolve to now? So, so now I think as you grow older, you realize that you've got limited amount of time to play around with and then that stipulated time you have to prioritize few things, right? So at the front or the at the very top, you know, it's you have to be happy, right? And then you have to define for yourself as to what that happiness means, What how does it look like?

So within that realm, you know, you, the first of first and foremost family comes into picture, right? So you won't have to be there for the family because those are things we grew up watching our parents sacrifice a lot of things for us as we were, right? So, yeah, you'll tend to learn, you tend to gain some of those. And then you say, OK, I'd like to be there for my kids. I want to be there for Mira along her journey. Be the biggest cheerleader for them, right. So you want to spend time on that.

Then of course, you know, you like I said, you know the sacrifices that our parents made. You don't want to be making some of them, or at least I don't want to make end so. That you don't. You don't. You don't want to stop living your life for the sake of just your kids, correct? So so then we said, OK, let's divide bucket that time into, you know, a little bit for family, a little bit for pursuing our own passions. So which is where a lot of the other running, anchoring and it gives you the sense of peace or your me time to to be able to focus very well back at work and other things and just gives that balance, you know, so for sure they want me to do that.

So, so now the mantra, if we are able to live healthily and happily for a longer period of time, I think that's a that's a big. Achievement. Yeah, and will get taken care of themselves. Yeah. So before you met each other, how did you each define strength in your own life? Wow, that's. A I think strength for me was, you know, being on your own feet. I think that was because I was always dependent on a lot of people growing up need for finances of a decision making. I didn't have a say in many things.

So for me, I wanted to stand up and say no like for a lot. And you know, because in a joint family, a lot of times sacrifices are expected, a certain way of things doing things are expected. And I wanted I saw my mom and my dad and other people say yes because out of so-called respect, I think like somebody you should also have their consent. And most often in a family set up, it was always forced that, you know, because you're the other one, you have to do this way. And I wanted that strength to know and stand my.

So that was something I think I still do. I still practice sometimes it gets tricky in in business. But I think like some still have a strong boundary on and you know, say stay my ground and say, OK, this is what I can do. This is what I can't do. Right. How about you, Prashant? For me, so strength, I think mine was more mental strength was always there since beginning and like, because I used to imagine myself as being a hero or maybe a the central character in my own life in that sense. So it it gave me that belief, that immense self belief that I can go achieve anything that I want.

If I put my heart and soul into it, I can do it. So that was there. But like I said, you know, I was more of a a good kid in in others perception. So just opposite of what Girija said, let's say yes. So parents would say let's go to this ceremony. OK, yes, let's touch their feet less. Yes. OK, let's do this. You know, so it, it's taken me, it's taken me several years to now build that strength to say no to some of the things. Even even now I'm pretty bad at that. I'm still, I'm still pretty bad.

I'm not not as straightforward as her, but nevertheless I've built trying to build that strength over a period of time to say no to things that don't mean as much. Yeah, I think I love, I love seeing the dichotomy over here, the fact of how in our Indian households, the girl versus the boy, right. It's interesting. It's something that I've been kind of like it's a lived experience as well as at the same time, I've also been kind of like doing a bit of a research on my end to, you know, help do my writing and things like that.

So it's interesting, but at that point of time, again, going back to before you guys met, right, what were you both chasing in that phase? Was it like stability, was it success? Was it identity or if you had to give it a name or or to that phase, what would that be?

Before we met, I think I was I was just using success. I wanted to so I'd gotten into the technology field after a lot of effort let's and and so I was chasing success as as trying to grow really quickly in that. So I was going after projects that would challenge me in different ways and work would sometimes occupy around 1616 hours of the day, 12 to. 6. Between that, so in fact even my move to Chicago was because I was in London back then, my day I would out of the 8 hours of work, I would wrap up my work in four hours and I wouldn't know what to do in the next 4 hours.

And. Just the work circumstances were such that they would say, hey, there's there's nothing else that you need to do for today, so you're sitting idle there. And that would kill me. So I asked for a change. I said, I want to get into a project that challenges me, that puts me on a track where I'm learning something new on a daily basis. So it was more about such growth and all of that at that point in time just wanted to make. It OK for me, I think it was escape from the reality I want. I seriously moved.

I wanted to avoid marriage for as long as I can. I mean that was the only and to get out of the country and learn new things, experience the world. I always love travelling. Even when I was in new in India, I used to travel thanks to my like BR, you know, the Education Center. Yeah, a lot of. So it was always exciting to meet new people, you know, be in different circumstances. So I think that's something I I really honestly speaking, that was the only motto to get a job, you know, pay my bills.

And you know, that's all I thought about, not nothing further. OK, OK, so let's get into your partnership. So because we've been talking about your, you know, prior to both of you meeting, right? So when your journeys came together, what did you discover about each other that you didn't expect? Oh.

Wow so my first impression of Prashanth was he was doing dishes in his family which was unheard of. At that boy for a boy. And still, you know, and that too in India, this was a nice house in his home in Bangalore. I was visiting to give some, I think the TOEFL exam or something. I was staying with the, with with them. And I, I saw him helping his mom around. And I was like, who does that? Like, I know that, you know, within my family, nobody does that. Yeah, I know who was not doing that. I was pampered by my grandma so I wouldn't do any of the chores.

So I was quietly surprised that, you know, he was so independent and at the same time, you know, he was so helpful with his family. So that's something that stuck with me.

And for me, I saw her more as a if tomboy is that word, then she was the tomboyish kind of girl that I had met. A lot of other girls were not rebellious in in a in a certain way. She was like all the things that she mentioned that she was independent. She was trying to, you know, make a mark for herself. She was disprove everybody else's way of thinking. So that really, really, you know, made me fall in love with her. That's what I really, really respected. Not respected, still respected her. Not in the past tense.

It's a present continuous tense. Yeah, it's a continuous tense. So, so that's something which I really liked about her because, you know, everybody else is, is, is working or, you know, they're growing up in a, in a, in a very orthodox way in most household. So to see somebody challenge that notion and then go out into the world saying, hey, this is what it is, right. Plus, she wouldn't stick to any of the norms that were laid out today. It's perhaps a little more common, but then the backrooms you.

So it's like you know about this is somebody. And I think to add to that, I think the other thing I really loved about him was he had other passions besides his job. He was already right. And by then I've met a considerable amount of suitable boys. Yeah. You know, I had swore that I will never marry a guy for with an IT background. And then I ended up marrying him, I think because he, he had, you know, he loved music, he had other passions besides the job and the career. And that's what that has anything drawn me towards him.

I think even on the that that you came to our house, I had stepped out to meet my friends with whom we were We would actually do a lot of these skits in the office outside and we would have a lot of fun. So I still remember I got pulled up one time because I stepped away from my project to go and post for the organization, for the company. Yeah, the project was still on the burner. The customer was not happy. So that was one of my first lessons to as well, you know, with regards to work saying hey.

OK, balancing, balancing it out. Yeah. Yeah. So you lived in US, Chicago, to be precise, and then you moved back to India. That's like a huge, you know, major life decision. What did that transition teach you about yourself and your relationship? Do you want to go first or you can go OK. So it was a very, very conscious choice. First of all, come back from Chicago to to India, move back to India. And it was one of the best decisions possible back then. We look back at it with a lot of pride. So it in, in a lot of ways, what we saw was that, you know, our son, he was able to get a lot of attention and time with grandparents, with uncles and aunts, which he would have perhaps, you know, missed out a little bit being elsewhere.

That's one second we found that we were both able to go back to work and yet have the support from the family and others that, you know, the kids could, could be taken care of, right? So it gave us that freedom, right? And we had the luxury of her parents being with us. So if we want perhaps get some time alone, then we would just say, hey, please take care of the kids. We can go out quickly, right? So, so like that we had a lot of good time together and family. So it was like, you know, the best of both worlds.

So we were able to work, able to take care of the kids and if we wanted, we also have any time, right? Yes. I mean, it was slightly difficult being in Hyderabad because a lot of family members are in and around Hyderabad. So, so we had to perhaps strike that balance between when to make time for relatives or family members and things like that versus how do we find the time for ourselves. Yes, that was definitely there. But I think it did help in in more ways than than one. And let's not forget the professional angle that, you know, we build a lot of connections in Hyderabad during time as well.

Yeah. Yeah, I think the reason we moved at that time was for definitely for his MBA in ISP and I think that gave us it was a beautiful campus and you know we had a amazing experience along with August here. And what else I would add to that is that, you know, we were in a phase where US was also going through a lot of turmoil. I think that was the first round of recession that was happening and obviously I have suffered because construction is the first hit. So I was having a difficulty getting a job and all.

So this year rebuild my career, we can broad span grow quickly than what I would typically grow in the US so I think. That. That made a lot of difference in our lives. It's a different story. We again went back to Bay Area for some time because of his project. But then after that, after the second stint, we realized we are not meant for us anymore. We can love having people around. It is a near and dear my parents, my parents. So I think after Radha was born, we decided we have to move back. Plus there's a sense of belonging here that I don't think you would get anywhere else, at least for us, that's what and also the there's an unknown loneliness there.

You have amazing friends, family, friends and all over there. Family may visit but we are at least I felt you know there's a undiscussed or you. Know, yeah, a hole, a hole in your heart kind of a thing. So. OK. But is there something that transition kind of like taught you about yourself or about your relationship?

I think that would see the only thing that we probably misses are a little bit of privacy that we used to have there.

And as a relationship, I think it has matured over time. I think we have seen more hurdles here. We had different hurdles over there. Sure man or family on your own when kids are younger is a different ball game. He would hardly have any time and I would exhausted just taking care of the kids. So the challenges set of challenges were different. So it tested out Oceanship a lot and when we moved back it tested us in a different way. You know, fishing got time between everything and right, a lot of other pressures as well.

So yes, we did. I think what our relationship stayed stronger despite all of this. Yeah. I can't say that you know something else or the other. I wouldn't contribute, but I think because we started our journey in a different country, I think that helped us survive then because we had uninterrupted time to figure out what we wanted to do. So if I if I look back at that, we were here for three years after Chicago from 20/11/2014. So here in ISB was pretty intense. She had a lot, lot of fun. I can.

Yeah. She had a lot of fun. I had a lot of fun too, but I had a lot to study plus other responsibilities as. Yeah, yeah. MBA is no joke, especially it's no joke. I can attest to that. Yeah. So as as a student body president, it had a lot of other responsibilities and plus our son Agastya would not go to sleep till I would come back home. Whether it was 9 in the night or 2:00 AM in the morning or three, he would still stay awake. So, so and after that we moved to Bangalore for a couple of years. And though I I didn't want to bring it up, but this traffic was was really.

In Bangalore, it was a Dean breaker for us. You know my office would be in central Bangalore. His office has always been the outside outskirts of Bangalore. You're spending hours only in driving to and forth, right? Yeah. So that was a struggle in terms of make being able to make time for for ourselves and we felt bad about that. So it was in there was every intent to to make it work and we were trying hard. But then because of all those the traffic and we were just trying to also settle down in our own careers after after I back to India.

So we wanted to do well. So there it was, a bit of a struggle to make everything work. Yeah, yeah, definitely. There by each of the sides. So it was, it was good that, you know, knock on wood that we were able to move. The other advantage we had because we spent our early career, career life in US, was that, you know, the level of professionalism that you learn. While I think that's still a big take away for both of us, I think we still go by those principles of whatever we learned there and it is often not found at least on the network or you know, I think on to that.

I think that's that will always be a big part of our. Life. Three people. I can, yeah. I think I can attest to that because in my current job, I work with a lot of vendors who are based in India and the certain level of professionalism that I've gotten used to over here. And you know, you want the same thing even with your vendors and your people that you're working with. And when I don't find that it, it frustrates me to a different level.

Yeah, it's very difficult. It's a different altogether. It's always India, it's always survival. Yeah. Can you think of a moment where one of you was really struggling and the other became a source of strength, and maybe you can give me that situation or story?

I think not too long ago, I think entire of last couple of years I was struggling. It start I think last 3-4 years I would say, right. I think after COVID when I lost my dad and I, we both were hospitalized. So it took a huge toll on my health and I'm not the same person anymore, although it's still work in progress. It also took a lot of toll on my mental health and. I. Have this episodes of rage and whatnot. I think I was also going through menopause at that point, which I didn't realize it could hit me that early.

And to figure out what. Seriously, that. Oh wow, that's very early. It is very early, so it took me two years to figure out what was happening. It came down to a black test. You know, I was in denial that, you know, maybe it's something else, maybe it's my workplace, maybe it's something, maybe something is wrong with me. I'm being Moody or ungrateful. So I think throughout that, I think I, I mean, I will only give credit to Prashanth. I think if anybody, if it was anybody else, I don't think a relationship would have survived or I would have survived this.

No, no, there's I don't think I can say that enough. He just took there were days when I would just I think probably eat him life and will have that positive attitude and the smile and say, you know, I'll do whatever it takes to support you and that that I think that is something I'm really grateful for in this life and I think that is. Amazing. Any of my actions after my wedding are a reflection of our partnership. I don't think I can do anything without his support. I could, I mean, I have done things when you know, I can stand out.

But at least in this situation that support was required because we are running a family also, right? I think, I think now I think I'm finally getting a hang of things. Even when I was doing this chef job, left my career, 20 years long career and decided to become a full time chef in a star hotel, I was gone in the morning and then I would come back at midnight. I would just crawl, take shower, crawl into the bed, then again leave in the morning. I had nothing to do with the family and it had nothing to do with what's going on until then.

I was in charge of running the family and then to take care of because the biggest challenge was how do I, you know, do the Raga's hair right? Please get up in the morning and just do my hair and then go back really struggling. I don't think he can do it. He's giving me a ponytail, so please get up. So he he managed it all. I think that was nice. Yeah. Now he can do a lot of things. I think in the last six months

has improved. I think he can tie a braid now. That's amazing. That's, that's really the whole reason I wanted you guys together on the podcast is seeing that kind of partnership, especially in our generations is kind of like rare. I mean, it is, it is a sad part, but we it is a sad fact. But we do have to acknowledge what is in front of us, right? And that's the reason why, I mean, I thought, OK, let me try to get that across. So yeah, that is amazing to kind of like here. So anything to add to that, Prashant?

Yeah. Yeah, a lot. I mean, see this, I mean, while she's been so generous in her phrase about, about what I did, the equally holds true for her, right. When we were at ICE, we we still needed the financial support, right. So she went work. She used to drive 20 plus kilometers every single day, though. I said she had a lot of fun, but she worked, she worked really hard back then, right? And when we were in Bangalore, we were struggling, like I said, you know, we were struggling for time. There was one point in time where I was not enjoying my work.

So I, I quit all of a sudden. And then I said, hey, would it be OK? Would we be able to manage? And she said, yeah, I'm, I'm working, don't worry about that. So for about 3-4 months that I was out of work and I was in between, I was trying to figure out what to do next. She was there as a constant support for, for the family as well, right? So there are so many, some agents, not just, not just in between those, right? Because I come with a lot of optimism every single time. It's hard for me to break down.

But at the same time, there are times when I am unsure about myself or I perhaps, you know, let's say I'm hosting an event I'm unsure about. Hey, what do I wear the next time? So there are in numerous times where she's there behind behind the scenes telling me, no, that will not work. Wear this, do this. There was one one time recently where she said, I think, you know, try this jacket on, try that one. This combination will look good. And believe it or not, that was the day when I got the most number of compliments for something.

So. Yeah, I mean. She's now my stylist for a lot of the events that I host and think so like that's been there constantly telling me, hey, this will do good for you. This will not be good. Think about this. So there are a lot of not one, like I said, you know, multiple things that yeah, we have one. I mean, especially for a person like who's always, you know, optimistic and positive and kind of like you think that you have everything figured out, it's all the more difficult for that kind of that person to be vulnerable.

And you need that safe space to be able to do that with somebody, right? Like somebody who's your like, no matter what, they are there to hold you, give you space and grace and that's what you basically have with each other. That is truly commendable and amazing. Yeah, I will not ever say things sweetly. He will always I will say, you know, this is not done. If he doesn't do something right, I'm I'll happily say I will not mince my I'll just say why should I? You know if I exactly on what's the point of a relationship?

You got to be authentic with each other, right? That's when the relationship can grow stronger. And then that's helped me quite a bit, quite significantly. Otherwise perhaps made some different choices that that are regretted maybe later on. Should she hold that to me? And she says OK, no, don't do this. Yeah, that's that's amazing to

see. Either ways, right? Either ways. Yeah. OK, Prashanth, this one is for you. From running marathons to hosting global AI summits while you were sick, you've pushed through intense moments. What do you tell yourself in those moments when quitting is easier? Wow. OK, yeah, So running marathons, you still at least have a lot of preparation that goes into it. So there is, there is that belief, right, that you know, hey, even if I'm not well or even if I'm unsure about it, I have put in the hard yards so I know and push my body limits.

And that's what a marathon teaches you, right? It's not about running that 42 or .2 kilometers or 26 miles distance, but it is more about learning about yourself, about yourself and what your body can do mentally, physically, right? You learn that along the way. So about 80 or 90% of the belief is already there, right? Even on the day, if you're not 100%, you know what your body can do and you can, you are ready to push yourself that extra bit. Same thing with my Summit. So because I had done several other events and I knew about technology and AI.

So I know that I know, I know the subject really well, way better than any of the other anchors who perhaps are not into technology or in the corporate world or in the world of AI. So I knew even if I'm sick, I can still pop in a quick pill beef be better than everybody else on this on this stage. And why let go of an opportunity that's come your way after such a such a long wait? And you never know when it's going to happen next. So it's this is what it is. And and I checked with her the previous night.

She said, hey, don't think about it. You know, it's you can do it. I know you can do it, but only if you're feeling up to up for it then then do it. So for me, it was a question of, Hey, do I go back, you know, on, on my word to everybody who's organizing such a huge event, or should I pop in a pill, grind those two days and for the days somehow get through it and still hold hold true to my word that I've given to others, right? So it was a question about about that. And then the next morning I felt a lot better.

And there's an insane amount of energy that you get the moment you step onto the stage. The adrenaline is different. I can. I can attest to that.

And the moment you're on the stage, the fever, the body on. So then there's this rock professional and right. And then you're there on the stage, you're looking at the. He's born for the mic. I keep telling him if I were your parent, I think I would. Yeah. For you not engineering. He would have happily been on stage as a performer. Like if we keep having this, what if our, you know, our password different and, you know, we had a different career path. But yeah, I think a lot of thing, a lot of times he puts in a lot of effort, like, you know, he's never prepared.

That's one thing I to help helps him in general. He'll always write notes, he'll always write his script. What? To do definitely. 1. Who's a? Little unorganized on that one. I'll figure out as you go. I'm most spontaneous. But he, you know, he'll write everything you know, do the prep work. All this he's been on stage in numerous times. We will never take even a single opportunity for granted. He'll always do prep work. That's nice. Yeah, No, I've actually all over all these years, that of of Maine, being on stage organizing and doing all the work.

What I have realized is people who make it seem effortless in the moment are the ones who actually put in tremendous amount of work behind the moment. Correct. That is true. That is true. You have to do your research and you have, you have to do your research and you have to be prepared for every possible outcome in the event. And therefore you need to be prepared 100% or more to say, OK, this kind of circumstance occurs during the event. What do you want and what are my alternate options there?

So. Option A, Option B, Option C for every possible Yeah for. That people, yeah, people who don't, who have not had any experience in that this kind of things even once or twice, they kind of think that, oh, it's very easy. You just get on, you know, But it's, it's people who have actually done it can attest to how much of prep work goes in the background before you kind of like just step onto the stage, right. So yeah. That's the stepping out of the stage is just a culmination of all the effort that.

Exactly, Exactly. Yeah, yeah. In fact, the the AI summit as well, I was thrown in the end of the of the pool because my brief was to actually handle the event from a certain time onwards. But then because the, the dignitaries, along with the ministers and the the bureaucrats, they were all in a different meeting room at that point in time. Somebody just walked up to the and said, hey, you got to manage the stage over the next one, one and half hour till they come and then hand it over. And that wasn't part of the original script or original briefing at all.

So I had to. Improvise on the on the on the fly there, yeah. Of the brief of who was going to show up, how do you introduce what's the what's the, the list of people who are going to be there? And these were ministers, bureaucrats, everybody. And you have to follow a certain protocol to to do that. So it was pretty intense, and that's why it was very, very challenging. But we made it, yeah. No, the, I mean when it's challenging, the, the, the end result is all the more satisfying, right? Like it gives you that boost of, it gives you that boost of, you know, ego and confidence and belief in yourself.

And so, yeah, I can totally relate to that. I would say, Girija, this is for you. So like literally after what, 20 years as in an architecture profession, you kind of like literally up and at least for me, right? Like, you know, obviously I'm not there living life with you guys there. But it kind of like what What is going on? When did she leave architecture and why did she move into, you know, becoming a chef and all that? Tell me how how all that came about. So I've been doing these supper clubs even before they were, you know, called supper clubs.

I was just hosting at home. I was also doing pop ups in all these hotels, five star hotels and that led me to this journey. So when I was giving. So they do what? No, I want you to back up, back up a little more, like even before all that, Like how did you even start get started with that or why what? What brought you to it? I want to hear from there. Actually, it started with my masters. You know, when I went to Chicago for my masters, I was not to cook for myself at all. I've never stepped into the kitchen, maybe barely few times to do Maggie or something like that.

And all of a sudden you are on your own. And I was sharing 1, you know, the kitchen with a few other flatmates and they were cooking something different. They were all Gujaratis. And I have not eaten Gujarati, you know, in Visakhapatnam, right, right, right. You know, maximum parathas and paneer, not more than that. So all of a sudden you are in a different country. You don't know what I can't, I can't even tell the difference between Kandi papu in a papu, any of the dals, right. So where I was figuring out how to cook for myself and it started with that.

And somehow I think I had that snack of making food tasty so people would just want to eat. So my my guideline was cheppu. So since I would speak on the phone with my parents or someone cheppu, we call cheppandi, cheppu and dangada. So they would call me cheppu makes pappu. So I would make this par papaisam and all.

I would make things out of memory, you know, I started making experimenting. It was it. So all my friends would, you know, any birthday party, me and another friend of mine would do all the cooking like we would make this gulab jamun and you know what not. Yeah. And I think slowly anytime we would host, even after we got married, you know, we would host our friends and they would like, you know, write, operate emails. I remember my first e-mail from one of the friends Priya from. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

So they wrote an elaborate e-mail saying, you know, Girija, you make wonderful food. And at that time, nobody knew how to cook authentic food like when I was doing. Proper Andhra. Proper Andhra style cooking. 1 of. The things that she would do is she would not take any shortcut sometimes. So all from scratch. All from scratch, all from scratch. I think shipping was also not easy, you know back then, right right like how we are getting now correct. So I have to make everything by myself and like if if I'm making sambar, I would make fresh sambar podi on that day, then you know grind the coconut into it.

Everything was it had to be the way. So people would love that and I would love feeding people and even after moving back every time, you know, we would, even when we bought this apartment and we moved, I would host people and you know, have for a meal and you know, everybody would say you should do something in in food. And I'm like, no, I like my job. I like what I I love feeding people. I don't want to monetize it. Correct. That's not my idea. I think the moment I become a professional chef, probably I may not enjoy it because I love what I do.

Yeah, but aside. And then once I think I saw a competition by this Marriott group of hotels and I thought I enter kya hoga so that I was the runner up. They were hesitant initially, but I became a runner up and I did. So the opportunity was to host a pop up in a five star hotel. Nice. And they told us to actually operate in that because we were mostly cooking in homes. Right. Hotel, it's different. The, the how you conduct yourself because you have to ensure certain hygiene is maintained, correct.

I've got exposed and I think I quickly built my profile on that since I'm more, I've always been, you know, vocal about what I do. It was easy for me to build on that. On top of that, whenever I had time, I would say yes to an opportunity and start nice. So like that, I think I ended up in the yeah, one of the biggest hotels and the chef offered me to head a speciality restaurant, Telugu speciality restaurant. And I was like, wow, you must be. I'm not a trained chef. I don't think I'm Elizabeth.

Sorry. You know, I'm, I'm qualified to do this. And he's like, no, you're as qualified as any chef I've ever met. That's awesome. You have the enthusiasm, you have the knowledge. I think that's more important and the capability to go. So rest of it is all logistics and all you know how to order for a restaurant that we can support you. Yeah, have the years of knowledge on the specific Telugu cuisine is something that it's not often easily found, but we are opposed to making in the restaurant style.

And you are bringing old traditional homestyle food. So I took three months and then finally said yes. But yeah, that's how it started. Nice. I couldn't survive in that environment. It was longer then. I was barely cooking. I mean, I love cooking for my family and I couldn't cook for my own family in all. So you're not, you're not working there now. I'm not working there. I'm back to architecture as of now. Oh. OK. OK. But still it's like an experience that I'm sure you'll, you know, cherish for a long time to come, right.

Like you have that. It gave me great exposure and also a lot of confidence so I couldn't manage to careers and I could actually build on top of that. Nice. Recently. I did for a very big hotel group, The Oberoi, The Villas. It was a signature event. They do this antique car exhibition and I was one of the chefs among like top rated. Chefs to That's amazing. So there was Chef. Vineet Bhatia there was chef and Pandya so like Michelin sash and I am with them. Amazing. That's amazing. But I was lucky to be there and I think I'm getting the slow recognition I'm I want to build on top of that.

Yeah, So I think two things that I wanted to add 1 was she underplays herself a lot despite despite, you know, cooking amazing, amazing food. I mean, not the brat, but there was one time when we were in Chicago and Srivanela Sita Ram Shastri Garu, he was visiting, he was on a rough North America. He was he was dying to eat home, home food and Telugu food. He said, everywhere I go, I get the stereotypical food and somebody gave me some good food and we were we were lucky enough to be there. And she said, are you Ananta Bhagavan, please come over and we will make some good food.

So he, you know, took up on that promise. The next day he called us up, I mean, through, through other friends of ours. And they turned up at home and we were so scared. We were nervous. I mean anything. Else and you know, nice full of coffee, pull your Apache. Everything nice, amazing. He just loved it. Stay till. The following day, he said Amma.

I mean, yeah, I know. I mean, Srivanalasita Ram Sastikaru is like a he's an amazing person. And and he's he I and it was, I would say it was like you were blessed to have, you mean be able to feed him, right? And he's an amazing poet, Asalu. I know Tani Kothura Nehru so Kothura aludu. So we were like, so we went, we came back to Hyderabad and went to his house. He said Hyderabad, Cochin Rojalaindi he put her out on. So not only did he remember, but he also had that kind of, you know, that warmth and affection.

I mean till till the very last day, you know, he used to remember that, you know, I had food at your place, multi chase and all that. So like the second point that I wanted to make, like I said, you know, in marathon, it's a you learn about yourself, right. So me she she has she is she's a brilliant Baker, Okay, she bakes all kinds of stuff. She so wherever we go, she tries to pick up and learn about those specific color. Local cuisines, yeah. In fact, when we went to Thailand, she went to a Thai cooking school as well and picked learned how to make Thai food.

So she's an amazing Thai cook as well. But you discover about yourself, you learn about yourself, right? She is to break that stereotype about Andhra Ford just being a biryani or Gonguru pachidi or a couple of, you know, two or three things that people failure to is trying to stereotype. And she's discovering that, you know, that's her calling in her calling about being able to let the world know how flavorful Andhra food and Telugu food is all about. So tomorrow in ISP there's a institute for public Policy.

So this topic is food. So I'm also speaking there. So I'm not, I mean, I want to spread awareness about regional. So my although I'm no longer a professional chef at a restaurant, I think my food journey will definitely continue. That's my passion, keep doing research about it, trying to find ancient recipes, you know how they used to eat. So I keep reading about it. So that journey will definitely continue. So I hope, and I hope I can push you into, you know, publishing your own recipe book. Yeah.

Yeah, because I am, I am in this writing journey. I'm in this writing journey and I'm writing a book and hopefully, you know, I can publish it before my birthday this year. That's the goal. But let's see. But I would definitely want you to, you know, think about it. You need to have like, even if you are like, you know, reviving those old recipes, you should think about, you know, publishing a book. No, no, that's, that's been on the mind for a long time. Hopefully, yeah, next year or so.

OK, you. Know that's the the third thing that I wanted to call out about her was that the reason she keeps getting these calls from various chefs and they all think so highly about her is you know, 1 cannot be trained around the passion or the recipes or the you know how you to bring that authentic tastes and flavors, right? It has to come from within that inherent passion should be there and that what has propelled her to becoming the head of a restaurant, to curating a menu. And she keeps getting caught now and then where people ask her, hey, can you help curate this menu?

Because you know, you'll get educated or trained chefs everywhere. But then there are or very few people who actually understand what goes in. You know that. Right, right. The passion. Yeah, yeah. So she has that kind of a passion towards Telugu food and thing that. Yeah, that is amazing. And what I really love and like I enjoy, you know, both your, you know, Instagram stories or on social media and things is like I strongly believe in in pursuing your passion, you know, giving it time and space for, you know, to explore it and and kind of like continue doing it.

And there are very few people that I see around me who who do that. Life is not just, you know, meant to be like, OK, go to work, come back home, have food with your family. Yes, family is important. But at the same time, there's more to life than just the routine, right? And you need to and you need to give that time and space for yourself to explore your fashions. And when I see somebody else doing it, I'm like, yes, come on, do it. I'm like your biggest cheerleader from here kind of a thing, right?

So. Having people, there's so many inspiring people, including yourself as well. Yeah, we, we reciprocate and we, we perhaps have that mutual admiration and pride when we, your, your social media posts as well. The way you take care of both of you dancing, you know, spending life together and a lot of, lot of the time that you spend towards your passion. It's it's just amazing. Yeah. Thank you. So you're both pursuing your passions while building a family. What does a meaningful life look to you today?

I think this is what it is. I think we are living it. We are living it. I think we decided not to compromise. I think at least one thing that whatever the pandemic has taught us is, you know, you do things now, whatever we wanted to postpone by a year or two. Also, we we want to do something, we do it now and we leave for now. That's it. I mean, yes, we have the plans. Yes, we want to achieve something maybe a lot bigger or you know, better over the years. But I think we are happy with what we have right now and able to manage.

I think the biggest luxury we have right now is time to be and that's our priority. So no matter what, if you're not able to give time to ourselves, I don't think that's going to work out for us and I think we are only working towards that. OK. OK. Anything to add Prashanth? No, I think she summed it up perfectly. That's what we want. I mean, they'll always be. You'll always have thoughts around. Oh, I wish I had more of this. I had wish. I wish I had more of that. I wish I had more of something.

Else, yeah, the wants are never yeah. Yeah. Exactly. But then the very fact that, you know, you've got supporting all the people who are, you know, around you, who are supporting in whatever you, you want to do and you're able to make time for all those little, little things, right? And rather than pushing it out for tomorrow, because who knows this, there may not be tomorrow at all, right? So it's, it feels great that, you know, we are able to live in the moment, accomplish all the things. In fact, even we realize that we both love travel.

So we put across a travel list and we very much consciously try to. Travel to at least one country or maybe within the country as well, every single year, which is. So we made a few conscious choices like that. Yeah, OK. Since the podcast is called Portraits of Strength, I want to know what your definition of strength is. So because I believe, you know, strength is, is a huge range. It's a spectrum.

What do you what do you define as strength?

I think for me it is integrity and discipline both come out as because both of them require a lot of your willingness. It really test your strength and ability, both discipline. You know, if you are not disciplined, it's a lot of things will not fall in place at all. A lot of people fail, I think because of lack of discipline, right? And I think that's something I definitely look as strength. You know, people who are disciplined are, you know, definitely have something going on very well for them.

And what strength you have to wake up. You have to do the same thing every single day for instant. So I think that's a strength for me. And I think integrity in this world where you know, every other person is trying to grow by, you know, crushing you or, you know, manipulate, I think having that integrity is a is a strength. Staying true to yourself and you know the values that you hold despite all whatever is happening is a strength. OK. To our is what I sure. Yeah. And for me it's, I think related to the discipline part of it is the, the consistency, right?

The, the consistent even even on your worst days as well, right? If you are able to go up, if you are able to go at the go the mile, even if it's a small bit, right, that instant strength in you, right? It's, it's, you are stronger than yesterday, You are better than yesterday. So a lot of my posts you see IA lot of times say better than yesterday. It's not because I want to run further or maybe, you know, host a bigger event than the previous week or whatever it is, but it's more about consistently doing that.

And that gives a lot of thing that adds a lot of and on the subtleties of, you know, the intangibles, right? Having family by your side, right throughout your journey, even on your worst days or on your best days, right? Like when I graduated, I had my family. Then all three of them are not all three of them. So Raga was involved, there is a August here and then both sets of parents, right? I think that's right. Knowing, knowing that there are well wishes behind you. Definitely having someone has your back correct.

Yeah, yeah, definitely. Gives you a lot of strength both physical and mental too. For sure the reason I was smiling as soon as you send consistency is like that is something that I'm literally on a soapbox every single damn day with all my friends. You know, being a, as you guys know, I teach yoga as well along with a friend and both of us are always like, keep doing it. You'll get you'll get better. Keep doing it. That's when you'll see the difference in your health, in your mental health, in your physical health.

I'm like, even with Purvi, I'm like, do it every day you'll get better. And Purvi's like. Can you please give me a break? Yeah. That's true. I think consistency is definitely underplayed and. Totally underrated, and I think over years I've learned that that is the only course, the only super strength that you need no matter what you're doing. I mean, I'm not a very big book reader per SE, but we I read the Atomic Habits and there's one not exactly quoting it, but it says even if you make that .1% improvement every day or that consistency right compound over a year and that becomes.

One point, Yeah, definitely. Yeah, definitely. Yeah.

Alright. So if what would your advice be to let's say, young couples who are probably on a similar journey of, you know, there's always this, you know, this, this question between couples and also, you know, our families kind of like get into it, which is the Indian way as you can. As we all know, people say family is important. Don't you know, follow your passion or whatnot? What would your advice be to let's say young couples or even people who are trying to follow their passion but are probably have restrictions?

Let's say I'd go back to the first point that I started talking about on the on the podcast, which is about, I think for couples, they need to define what happiness looks like together, right? So through the through the podcast, you, you heard that, you know, we both are so very different. She's she says no more than more than say a lot of yes, right? But we, you still have to find that common ground. What I see with a lot of couples these days is they do not want to come to that common ground. So it's very important first of all, come to that common understanding that, OK, we may be two different individuals, but at the same time, let's let's look at what are collective strengths are and what are happiness goals, right?

How can we make it and how do we support one another in that journey, right? It doesn't you have to completely change or completely compromise on your values or your ethics or your principles, but it just means that you're trying to understand the other person objectively without just being judgmental.

And once you have that happiness goals, then you can perhaps, you know, list down everything, prioritize a few of them as to, OK, this is how much I can do, right. And that kind of limits also take some time for sure. But yeah, figure out where to support one another. I think that's that's that would that's what I would say to young. Yeah. I think for anything to succeed, you need that burning passion. Yeah. I expect when you are trying to do more than what you're expected to or more than what your body can take or your mind can take, it needs a burning desire to do things.

Without that, I don't think you can achieve you. So the consistency won't come. Everything else is, you know, where you make up your mind and it starts. You want to achieve something, you put your mind to it, and then eventually everything will fall in place. And I think as a couple, like what he said, oftentimes there may be love, They may not be respect, mutual respect. I think more than love, respect is important. Understanding further comes from a place of respect where you are not thinking that you know you are above somebody or you're below somebody.

I think that very often love may come and go. I think respect is where it it becomes, you know, the holding point where you know, sometimes you may not feel, you know, you love that person, but then you know that this person has these qualities and you want to hold on to that. And it's a marriage of 2 equals, or at least you know, you, you are once you get once you're married, then it's 2 equals. So let go of let go of that ego. But that times becomes the you know the the barrier for both. Of them to support each other because what if you are like beyond me yeah yeah and I so I think that's where it that's where it has to come from and unless you are in that place of you know I am I am safe I mean I'm love and respect I don't have to worry about.

Anything. Anything else? Yeah. Other person 100%. That's amazing. All right, let's change a little bit of track and we go into rapid fire questions. Last last segment, you thought this was all going to be all deep conversation, so that's where I put it again. What's your favorite book? Fountainhead. Singh, Yep. OK, favorite song. I know this might be a little difficult, but. Very difficult for me to choose I. Know same thing I. Have so many of them, but one of the songs that stuck with me for a long, long long time was a Zindagi from Sadma.

That's one by Ilai Raja. And so, yeah, that's one. OK. I think from for me again, I'm like Ilai Raja classic from Nirikshana Chukkale docha Chukkale docha. OK, nice that. Whole album.

OK, Yeah. That's what that whole album. Is my. Favorite. Yeah. Favorite quotation?

Live and let live. Be good to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down. That's awesome. OK, favorite movie.

Rangdevasanti. Geetanjali.

Geetanjali OK with all the sadness and all.

I think that those are. I know the direction is amazing for sure, yeah. Timeless Classics. And in fact, we were watching that over the last weekend as well. Yeah. I can go back and watch it a number of times. OK, what's your greatest fear? Technically for me is swimming. I realized I'm so scared that I'm yet to learn it. I tried and I failed. I have to overcome it. OK, hopefully this year, this summer, but otherwise I think I, because of all the conditioning, I, I have a fear of a failure. I don't want to be a failure ever.

I think that's always something. At the back of your mind. OK, Prashant. Don't know. OK, we are. Optimistic, but one thing. What if? What if I'm not healthy? Healthy enough? The later stages, right? I think that's yeah. I wouldn't call it a fear per SE, but that's a thought that keeps running, right? Because we want we want to be able to explore the world so much and I want to spend as much time as possible so, you know, want to be as healthy as possible. But what if? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think that's stage of life.

Yeah, also that right. Like, the way I see it is I want to be able to be there for Purvi, no matter how old she becomes, for whatever that she wants. And that requires us being in, you know, me being in good health, to be able to provide that strength to her. Correct. I think that comes from that place as well. Yeah, exactly. So yeah, I can see that. What's the most courageous thing you've done in life so far?

Physically skydiving. OK.

Yeah, physically that skydiving was, I mean we were dead scared when we were had to jump from the plane.

Oh yeah, this bungee jumping is a fear. You know, skydiving, but bungee jumping up perhaps in little scared of that. OK, the Curry. This thing is coming out to a different country to do my masters with barely $200 in my pocket. Pocket. No.

So I boarded the plane with $200 in my hand and, you know, survived. So I don't think I can do this. This version of Girisha can't do this. I'm no longer. You've already done it. Why do you need to do it again? You've done it. Why? Do right, like even the smallest things. I think I'm more I'm the one who is always pulling back. No, no, what if, what if, what if? I'm always, you know, I've no longer the risk taker for somebody who was so adventurous back then. I think I'm more cautious now. I would challenge that about you.

I mean, it's, it's still, you're still taking a risk where you left your 20 years of a profession to jump into something else. Maybe the risks kind of like probably look different, look different with as with age, right? Like as you grow older, the risks that you take might just look different, but that doesn't mean you're not a risk taker anymore. So I'm going to push back on that.

Yeah. Kind of, yeah.

What's the philosophy of life? Easy yellow. Yeah, yeah. That's our mantra now, OK, we want to do now let's say do it, don't overthink it. Don't you know just do it try it. What's what's the we saw this ad and it stuck with us for the longest time. This is Tata ad is a pooch Tala to like Jingalala. So if you want then you won't get. Yep, definitely first step and you don't know what's the outcome. No, I think it's the thing that us and we keep still reminding each other whenever one of us is hesitating or taking a step back, you know what is wrong.

I mean what? It's the it's the first step that's always the most difficult to take. In fact, in fact, even for for hosting and things like that, right. So I sometimes feel maybe I did jump into anchoring and hosting a little late. Yeah. And there's a lot of young anchors there in the world, right? So I went and met a bunch of anchors on one such meet up and they said, hey, I'm glad that you at least took this step today because you know, 10 years out the line you wouldn't have, you may not regret or maybe then you would have thought I should have started 10 years, right?

So today's day to start anything. New. Anything new? Yeah. So it doesn't matter when you start, but I think it's it's absolutely important that you start and if you wanted to do that, then just go do it. Yeah, it's OK to fail. I mean, definitely not. Failure is also changing. Even for me to take that step, move towards this chef journey. I was like, what worst will happen? Even the even the hiring folk. You're not teasing me on day one. We're like Dekho is called midlife crisis. Oh yeah, Yeah. She decided to become a chef, leaving a cushion.

Why? She doesn't know what I said. You know what's the big deal? I can always leave this. It doesn't workout. I say goodbye. I will not say that I have to work through this. I'm not at a stage where I I'm forced to work, so I goodbye and go back to my career or do something else. I know what I can do exactly, so figure out something don't worry about. Me that is amazing and thank you so much for you know, it's actually a great way to start my Saturday. So thank you so much for an amazing conversation.

It was awesome. Yeah, likewise, I don't think we we spoke about a lot of things even between ourselves. And thank you for having us over. Yeah, you made us think you. Made us think. It's a good way to end a Saturday for you guys, right?

I wouldn't have thought about a question of, hey, what's the definition of strength per SE. But I'm, I'm really glad that you're actually doing this, you know, talking about the portraits of strength and collecting such stories. I don't know if our story was worth the Oh, definitely audience. If they are able to understand and relate to it, that'll be great. But I'm really glad all the things that you're doing, Aretha. We are really glad of. You thank you so much. I mean, I truly believe that, you know, story should be shared and you don't know who might listen to your story and might get, can relate to it, can get inspired by it or even sometimes can get solace that they are not the only ones in a particular situation or things like that.

And I, yeah, and I truly believe that stories are all around us. And that's, that's my small thing that I'm trying to do is spread the stories, share the stories.

Strength isn't always loud. Sometimes it's a quiet decision to try again, to pivot, to support, and to believe. Today's conversation reminded me that strength can look like running a marathon, but it can also look like walking away from a path that no longer feels like your own. It can look like standing on a global stage despite sickness, or standing in your kitchen building something from passion one step at a time. But perhaps more importantly, it can look like choosing each other's dreams again and again.

So that is Portraits of Strength today. This is a story of partnership, resilience, and the courage to evolve not just as individuals, but together as a family. Thank you for listening to this episode or watching and hope you, you know, catch us on the next episode. Thank you so much. A quick shout out to today's sponsor, Sri Krishna Jewellers. With over 50 years of craftsmanship, they are now serving the Dallas community from Frisco, TX. If you have someone special worth celebrating, check out their collection at srikrishna.com or call them at 430-231-1111.

The Story