Have you ever wondered if that quiet passion you put aside years ago still holds the key to your future fulfillment? Sangbreeta, a powerhouse in keynote speaking and neuroscience-driven behaviour, negotiation, and communication, certainly found that to be true!

We were thrilled to connect with Sangbreeta (also known for her must-watch TEDx speech, Transform Your Presence) to discuss her incredible journey—a reminder that your unique strengths are never truly lost, only waiting to be rediscovered.

Summary: From Shy Child to Global Leader

Sangbreeta’s professional path is a masterclass in trusting your inner voice, even when society—or big exams—tells you otherwise. She started out incredibly shy in kindergarten, preferring to “be the tree” in the background. Yet, with a gentle, encouraging nudge from her English teacher, Mrs. Souza, she found the courage to welcome all the parents at an event, marking the beginning of her public speaking journey.

Despite loving elocution and accumulating hundreds of competition experiences by age 13, she dropped her creative hobbies to prepare for big exams. Following a traditional trajectory, she studied Biotechnology, specializing in neuroscience, and later established a successful corporate career as an international manager in the Netherlands, even managing neuro-psychiatric drug trials.

But years into her corporate journey, with everything achieved “on paper,” a missing gap led her to revisit her childhood hobby. This act of validating her inner child and rekindling that spark was her “red letter day,” turning what was once a quiet wave into a powerful tsunami. Today, she focuses on long-term strategic development for leaders, offering a recently launched mastermind program to elevate performance, positioning, and purpose for those from mid-management up to senior executive roles.

---

3 Essential Learnings from Sangbreeta’s Journey

1. Embrace the Power of Elimination: If you don’t know exactly what you want to do next, focus on what you absolutely don’t want to do. This elimination process helps refine your path and cuts out the noise, guiding you toward fulfillment.
2. Mental Elasticity is Your Superpower: Motherhood forced Sangbreeta to learn flexibility and mental elasticity, minimizing the impact of failure and rejection. Life gets messy and raw—whether you are a parent or caring for family members—but challenging moments elevate you and force you to be real with your audience.
3. Coaching is About Self-Discovery, Not Just Solutions: Sangbreeta pursued coaching certification (ICF) not just for business, but to understand herself better. She learned to silence her “consultant brain” (which constantly offers solutions) to become a true coach, clearing inner biases and asking questions that ignite the client’s mind toward self-exploration and unique solutions.

---

3 Actionable Takeaways for Your Path

1. Revisit Your Red Letter Day: If you feel unfulfilled in a “cozy, comfortable career,” ask yourself: What activity brought you joy and made you feel “so alive and present” as a child? That childhood hobby might hold the key to your adult purpose.
2. Show Vulnerability Strategically: If you are giving an inspirational speech, first prove yourself to the audience by delivering 70% of your talk clearly and without excuse. Once your expertise is established, then share your vulnerable, real-life challenges.
3. Chase the Click, Not the Title: When seeking professional guidance or collaborators, prioritize bonding and rapport. Don’t just chase someone’s title or accolades; ensure you truly connect and resonate with their personality and values. This connection is fundamental for a successful relationship.

Sangbreeta’s ambition is to reach people across the world, build a community that empowers and inspires others, and ultimately bring joy into their lives. Her powerful story proves that even when faced with the toughest choices (like giving a keynote while your sick child is at the doctor), being tough, being real, and trusting yourself allows you to get it done—and that makes for a fantastic story worth sharing. You have it in you—go unleash that potential!.

_{Note: This article was summarised using the transcript of the Speaker Shine Podcast Episode using Google NotebookLM}