Have you ever paused to ask yourself why you do what you do?

Every now and then, it’s essential to rekindle the flame of our ‘why’ – that driving force behind the changes we aspire to in life.

This reflection becomes even more crucial when we’re about to make a life-changing decision, such as a separation, a change in career, or moving to a new country. Even simple choices that go against the norm can trigger uncertainty.

These pivotal moments often bring a flood of emotions and thoughts that can cloud our judgment, making it difficult to see the path ahead clearly. We may find ourselves grappling with conflicting feelings, questioning our motives, and second-guessing our intentions.

However, once we have made a decision, it’s equally important to continue reconnecting with our ‘why.’ This intrinsic motivation can provide the clarity and strength we need to persevere, especially when challenges arise or things don’t unfold as we had planned. In times of struggle, our ‘why’ serves as a lifeline, helping us to navigate obstacles and reminding us of the purpose behind our choices.

Our ‘why’ anchors us in our vision and reminds us of the values and passions that drive our decisions. It acts as a guiding light, pulling us back to our true path whenever we feel tempted to revert to our old ways.

So here is a little bit about my 'why'.

Why I Shifted from Pharma to Kinesiology

I had completed six years of studies to earn my Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Science and was working for one of the top ten pharmaceutical companies in the world. I enjoyed a comfortable salary and felt confident in my role. So, what happened?

| An increasing feeling of void

Despite the outward appearance of success, deep down, something didn’t feel quite right. I had this nagging feeling of, “Is this it? Is this what I’m going to do for the rest of my life?” I felt stuck.

Also, I began to realise that my work, while important in its own right, didn't align with my evolving values and aspirations.

| The focus on symptoms rather than root causes

In many cases, the focus is on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of issues.

For example, having a mother with depression, I witnessed firsthand how she was prescribed medications and told it was a brain imbalance. The internalised message was something was wrong with her brain.

Rethinking health perspectives

To be honest, this is how I used to view health as well.

While this experience was one of the reasons I entered pharma in the first place, it also made me rethink my path. It illuminated how the whole medical system often contributes to the pathologisation of mental health conditions, framing them as disorders to be treated rather than as complex human experiences to be understood.

The medical model tends to stigmatise people with mental health conditions, viewing them as the problem. It often treats the body as nothing more than a machine where you just have to tweak a bit of this or that to achieve health, completely separating the mind from the body.

While medications can provide relief and can be life-saving for some, they often do not address the underlying factors contributing to depression, such as unresolved trauma, attachment issues, feeling lonely and disconnected, lack of purpose, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies or lack of exercise.

To my opinion, this is true for any chronic illness, such as pain or immune disorders, where the focus often remains on symptom management rather than uncovering the underlying issues.

Moreover, medication comes with a lot of side effects.

A new direction

I felt I wanted to contribute in another manner. After exploring various avenues, including naturopathy (since I was already a pharmacist) and NLP, all of which led nowhere, I came across a free kinesiology introductory weekend organised by the College of Complementary Medicine in Sydney.

I remember feeling incredibly nervous. One of the facilitators examined my posture and seemed to read me like an open book. I felt exposed but very intrigued.

The more I listened to their perspectives and shared experiences, the louder a voice within me echoed, “This is it!” It resonated as an undeniable truth.

| A holistic approach to health

I decided to sign up for the entire diploma without having had a single session myself. It felt like a leap of faith, but I was eager to learn.

Through the course, I was introduced to the energy systems of the body, including the meridians, chakras, and nadis.

These Eastern healing traditions have long recognized that the mind affects the body and vice versa, asserting that blockages in energy flow can lead to various signs and symptoms.

Bridging ancient wisdom and modern science

Western science is finally catching up to this ancient wisdom. Thanks to advances in neuroscience, we now have the tools to observe how trauma can physically alter the brain, shutting down critical areas responsible for processing emotions and making decisions.

Moreover, the impact of emotional stress on the body is well documented in scientific literature. Chronic stress has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of our immune system by reducing the number of white blood cells, which are essential for combating infections and diseases. Studies also reveal that unresolved emotional pain can manifest physically, contributing to chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and tension headaches.

Understanding the Mind-Body connection

It became clear to me that healing cannot be truly effective if it only addresses physical symptoms without considering the underlying emotional or psychological factors. My seven years of practice have only reinforced my views on the mind-body connection and how our emotions, beliefs, and past experiences contribute to the manifestation of our symptoms.

These systems have helped me create a comprehensive body map, allowing me to understand how different emotions are stored in various parts of the body and how energy imbalances can lead to both physical and emotional disturbances.

For instance, in Chinese Medicine, the liver is associated with anger, and an imbalance in this organ’s energy can manifest as physical symptoms, such as headaches or digestive issues, as well as emotional symptoms, like irritability or frustration.

This holistic approach resonates with me on a profound level. It felt like the missing piece in my understanding of health—an essential aspect that the conventional medical model often overlooks.

| Coming back to my ‘why’!

As I delved deeper into these teachings, I became increasingly convinced that this was the path I needed to follow. It wasn't just about treating symptoms anymore; it was about understanding the person as a whole and helping them achieve true balance and well-being.

Through my own healing journey, I came to understand that one of the greatest sources of stress on our bodies is living lives that are not in alignment with our true nature.

Disconnecting from authenticity

When we disconnect from our authentic selves—whether by conforming to societal expectations, adhering to rigid 'shoulds,' or suppressing our true desires—we create an internal conflict that manifests as stress, anxiety, or even physical illness.

We often construct narratives about who we should be, what we should do, and how we should live our lives based on external pressures or past experiences.

These stories shape the lens through which we view ourselves and the world, frequently leading us away from our true essence. As a result, we begin to trust our heads more than our hearts, allowing logic and reason to dictate our choices, even when they conflict with our deeper, intuitive knowing or values.

The impact of societal expectations

The society also teaches us that showing emotions is a sign of weakness and that it is better to bottle them up, leaving us without healthy outlets for expressing our feelings.

This misalignment between our inner truth and our outer lives creates a constant state of tension within us. Our bodies respond to this tension by sending us signals—whether through emotional discomfort, such as anxiety or depression, or through physical symptoms, like chronic pain or fatigue.

Yet, instead of listening to these signals and addressing the root cause, we often attempt to silence them with quick fixes, such as medications, business, alcohol, or other temporary solutions.

The importance of inner Work

My journey in kinesiology taught me the importance of tuning into these signals and understanding their messages.

It’s about peeling back the layers of conditioning, shedding the 'shoulds,' and reconnecting with our true selves.

By aligning our lives with our authentic nature, we can reduce the stress that arises from living out of sync with who we really are, creating the space for genuine healing to occur.

Although an increasing number of people are becoming aware of this mind-body connection, few truly understand it in depth. I recognise that one of my roles is to spread this message and empower individuals to take charge of their health.
By fostering awareness and understanding, I hope to guide others on their own journeys of self-discovery and healing, helping them reclaim their authentic selves and live in alignment with their true nature.

Continuing my mission

In an attempt to continue my mission and bring more of these teachings to the traditional world, I have recently embarked on a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Many people view traditional healing as pseudoscience, and this degree will help me bridge the gap between holistic approaches and conventional practices.

By integrating both perspectives, I aim to show that we don't have to choose between conventional approaches and Eastern traditions; in fact, many current therapeutic practices have been largely inspired by healing practices such as mindfulness, energy flow.

Life is a continuous journey of growth and transformation. Each decision we make, whether monumental or seemingly trivial, holds the potential to shape our future. By tuning into our inner voices and reconnecting with our core values, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and our needs.

| What is your why?

I invite you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey. Consider these questions:

What is your ‘why’?

Why do you do the things you do?

I would love to hear about your experiences. Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Exploring these questions can help you uncover what truly resonates with you, allowing your ‘why’ to illuminate your path forward.

If you find that you lack a clear ‘why,’ or if your motivation stems from a sense of obligation—simply because it’s what you think you need to do—it may be a sign that you are not following your soul’s path.
In such cases, a deeper exploration may be necessary.

If you would like support on this journey, I can help you find clarity and align with your goals.

Together, we can uncover the path that resonates with your true self.

Click HERE to book a free 30-minute discovery session today!