From an ‘Unknown’ to an ‘Unstoppable’: The Rise of Inara Dodhiya

A break-out star in the lifestyle coaching industry, Inara Dodhiya is turning heads as a keynote speaker, published author, and CEO of her own company at just 26 years old. We sat down with Dodhiya to discuss her journey of self-discovery, managing external expectations, and the importance of learning from within.

While most of us have difficulty admitting when we feel lost or uncertain, Inara Dodhiya embraces her self-appointed title of ‘Unknown’ as a moment of utmost importance on her path to self-discovery. Dodhiya had just begun her undergraduate degree and was faced with the sudden realization that out of the many options laid before her, none of them provided the deeper sense of meaning she was searching for in a career.

“During the first year and a half of university, I changed majors almost every semester. I felt lost”. Dodhiya describes her mounting panic, as she drifted further away from the excitement of her classes and closer towards a fraught state of stagnancy. “I connected with business, but I wanted more. I needed to take a step back and breathe so I took a gap year”.

While society often glances dubiously at those who pause their education, Dodhiya embraces this inflection point: “Although the term ‘Unknown’ signifies uncertainty, it was actually the first step towards discovering myself. The awareness really set me free and gave me the strength to be my authentic unapologetic self”.

Out of this moment of precarity came the momentum Dodhiya required to propel her to her true passions: coaching and motivational speaking. Dodhiya utilizes the lessons she learned in this critical time to encourage her clients to feel comfortable taking a step back when something isn’t working in their careers. The key, she says, often lies looking into yourself and your passions- to make decisions about your profession and avoid a lifetime of disillusionment with your choices. “I sat down, went back in time, and some things stood out. I love to be on the stage, to help people, to have meaningful conversations, and to have an influence. Coaching was the thing that fit all the criteria”.

Following her reflections and epiphany, pieces began to fall firmly into place for Dodhiya, affirming her choice to lean into the career she identified. While Dodhiya has garnered achievement and accolades as the result of her non-traditional career path, she finds her clients often struggle with the pressure of external expectations when contemplating difficult career decisions. “Because of what society tells us, it can be difficult for us to accept within ourselves what we want for our lives. It’s especially difficult if it’s not a traditional path”.

When facing the burden of familial or societal expectations and managing your own self-doubt, Dodhiya recommends utilizing visual exercises like “The Referee Reflection”, as described in her co-authored novel “Pathways to Fulfillment”. The exercise involves laying out the pathway of your life, highlighting milestones and accomplishments along the way. Every time a decision was made that was influenced by external expectations, the client is directed to place a referee drawing beside it and reflect on their emotions in that moment. Similarly, whenever a choice was made to go against the grain, the client adds an alternative pathway to their visual map that represents their authentic desires.

Visualization can be crucial, says Dodhiya, in recognizing the empowerment and rewards that come with making decisions free of external expectations. “At the end of the day, we have one life. Taking the time to reevaluate what you value in life, comparing it to where you are now and what needs to change is extremely important. It’s taking your time to accept what you want”.

Dodhiya views life as a series of interconnected networks, where your lifestyle, career, and relationships operate as a feedback loop onto one another. A hallmark of her coaching style is connecting with a client on a personal as well as professional level, to identify unexpected roadblocks that the client may be too close to see.

She describes a particularly poignant moment with a young professional who sought her guidance: “She first told me that she was unhappy in general, and that she didn’t know if she was capable of being happy. However, as we dug deeper, we discovered it was her work she was unhappy with, that was affecting all the other systems around her”. Following 10 sessions with Dodhiya, the client, who had previously been weighed down by the potential of judgment from making a career switch, understood that her quality of life was far more consequential than any perceived criticism.

Herein lies one of Dodhiya’s strengths that has attracted many of her clients: a unique ability to draw the answer from the client themselves, rather than explicitly telling them what the correct choice is even if it may appear obvious. “Coaching is a safe co-created space where I help my clients to realize what they’re struggling with. I refrain from [giving answers] because it can be very easy to limit your thoughts, your mind has a tendency to close all other possibilities. It’s important that the answer comes from within them”.

Part of finding answers within yourself, contends Dodhiya, also lies in your commitment to weaving a well-rounded and colorful tapestry of your life outside of your career. As someone who has spent the majority of her life involved in humanitarian efforts, including teaching English to children in Palestine, Dodhiya purports the recognition of this passion was one of her own internal answers that led her to coaching. Focus on what brings you fulfillment, and let it lead you in all aspects.

Embark on your transformative coaching journey with Inara Dodhiya, book your keynote speaking, or elevate your organization’s ventures by visiting ID Solutions. To follow Dodhiya’s journey and join her vibrant online community, head to her Instagram.

Written by: Emily Hellam

GRATEFUL PR

Related Topics:coaching LifeStyle self-discovery

Click to comment

How Street Art Continues to Influence L.A. Culture

Artistic expression is an intrinsic part of the human experience, a truth that resonates deeply within the vibrant city of Los Angeles. Known for its Hollywood façade and sun-kissed streets, the city offers its residents and visitors a chance to see things they normally would not find—including street art integral to the city. In Los Angeles, every alleyway and brick wall serves as a potential canvas, turning the urban landscape into a sprawling, open-air gallery that captures the diversity and creativity of its people.

In neighborhoods from Venice Beach to the Arts District and beyond, street art is a dynamic form of expression that transcends visual mediums to showcase the broader societal issues the artists and people who live in the city face. These include pieces from renowned international artists to even local creatives, each of whom contributes to the visual narrative in the city’s urban landscape. More often than not, the murals, graffiti, and installations are more than just aesthetics—they are also stories that reflect the dreams, struggles, and resilience of the people of California.

The Chicano Art Movement of the 1960s and 70s is where L.A.’s street art has its roots. During this period, murals became forms of political expression, as well as cultural affirmations for the Mexican-American communities. In today’s climate, these traditions continue in a plethora of themes, from social justice to environmental concerns, to the celebration of cultural heritage, personal identity, and beyond.

The city’s numerous street art festivals and events also play a role in the creation of the arts. Annual events, such as the POW! WOW! Long Beach Art Festival, transform the city into an open-air gallery, showcasing the talents of not just the artists, but also fostering a community of collaboration, where both residents and visitors can come together to appreciate the transformative power of artistic expression.

Street art isn’t just for looks, however. The artistic movement contributes a significant amount to the Los Angeles economy by attracting art enthusiasts and tourists from all around the world. Murals are often seen as landmarks, and neighborhoods such as Silver Lake and Downtown L.A. have seen surges in local businesses by those who are drawn to these culturally rich environments.

The profound impact of creating art in public spaces cannot be overstated. By transforming blank walls and forgotten corners into pieces of beauty and conversation, viewers can not only pause and reflect upon the meanings of these inspirational pieces but also engage with the world around them in ways they may not have previously thought were possible. Los Angeles’ street art is a reminder that art is not just a luxury for the elite—it is a fundamental expression of humanity and creativity that belongs to everyone.

While the city continues to evolve, and its street art along with it, the diverse experiences of Los Angeles’ residents are captured on city walls and streets in ways that most will see for years to come. The city’s street art is visually appealing, but it also reminds us of the trials of the past, the problems in the present, and the opportunities of the future.

Michel Pascal, The Future of Wellness

Why do people suffer more and more mentally today?

Because our usual solutions are completely inadequate. When you consider the latest research from Microsoft, which shows that the attention span online is less than 3 seconds, how can experts still believe that a panel, advice, or efforts of concentration will bring about significant change? Experts are thinking according to their old maps; they speak only for themselves. They fail to realize how people are being devastated by stress, overthinking, and mental confusion. 99% of people are unable to follow advice or make an effort. One day, a prisoner said to me: “Michel, if you tell us to take a deep breath, share our story, you’re not being respectful; you’re just copying and pasting your old map. You don’t realize how much we are suffering today.” This prisoner perfectly articulated the essence of my program. Instead of copying and pasting our old wisdom or developing some kind of new age folklore, we need to find solutions that are immediately effective, without any effort.

Is this possible?

Yes, this is precisely what we are doing at Amity Foundation Los Angeles, the largest foundation in California for prisoner reintegration, with the best results in America. 92% of prisoners never return to jail, and we have zero suicides. Prisoners are not experts or Ph.D. holders. What we are doing is exactly the opposite of the usual inadequate solutions, yet these people have some of the best mental health outcomes in America.

Why isn’t this result more well-known?

Because these people are not considered. Also, because we prefer to listen to experts and stick to our inadequate solutions. But these communities are the pioneers of a new world. They are the hope of the world. They have already built the future of wellness.

What is the future of wellness?

The future of wellness is based on two points: we don’t want to make any effort, and we need immediate benefits. CGPro, the best 3D creators (Jurassic World, Lion King, Shrek, Madagascar…), have adapted my practice “Meditate like a Dolphin” into a 3D immersive experience. We will launch this wellness revolution with dolphins on May 16 in Los Angeles, Art District, and simultaneously in Times Square, New York, on a huge billboard. With a headset, people will be able to meditate like a dolphin, metaphorically diving into their souls to deeply calm their minds, without any effort of concentration, in just a few minutes, and navigating in 3D with the headset. On June 6, at The Rubin Museum, I will also present this unique meditative experience in the world. We are also working to present this 3D experience in many hospitals, schools, companies, grocery stores, restaurants… When you enter the 3D experience with dolphins, it immediately calms your mind, changing the gray and white matter of your brain, decreasing cortisol, the stress hormone, and increasing serotonin, the wellbeing hormone. This experience marks a major shift in wellness. We are moving from the era of effort and advice to no-effort and no-advice but real experiences.

Will you extend this experience to children?

Yes, absolutely. This is what we are already doing in Hermosa Beach, California, at Indivisible Arts, founded by the ingenious Rafael McMaster, a nonprofit making a profound impact by teaching consciousness to youth in LA County. (www.indivisiblearts.org). This unique school in the world is also the present future of wellness in America.

Do you think this 3D experience can impact millions of people?

Certainly. As Michelle Narciso (Ommm) said: “With your approach, you save the lives of the most suffering incarcerated people, so you can save the world.” Every time I go on tour, I will present this ingenious 3D experience. For a decade, I have had the honor of working with my friend Mark Faucette, director of AHP, the largest project for the reintegration of the homeless since America’s history. We want to offer this 3D immersive experience to every community. Mental Health is the priority of our time.

How will you launch this 3D Experience?

We will launch the 3D immersive experience “Meditate like a Dolphin” at Cocotte House in the Art District of LA, the new fancy destination of the city. Cocotte House is truly exceptional—it’s not just a fantastic restaurant but also a TV studio, podcast studio, and a spacious venue for events and workspaces. On May 16, we will debut “Meditate like a Dolphin” with the directors of Amity Foundation, Mark Faucette from AHP, and Temple Hayes, the spiritual leader and iconic legend of the LGBT community. Simultaneously, the launch will take place in NYC on a large billboard in Times Square, associated with the prestigious Rubin Museum of New York. This venue aspires to become the future hub of wellness in Los Angeles through collaboration with communities and celebrities. Additionally, every weekend, I will host brunch meditations, with all the local residents of the Art District. It will be the inaugural 3D immersive experience where people can meditate with dolphins before enjoying their dinner. Philippe Nodet, director of Cocotte House and his brilliant French chef have conceived the idea of crafting a Meditative delicious menu to complement my meditation practice. For sure, this is the future of wellness, far from any usual approaches.

How will you launch this 3D Experience?

We will launch the 3D Immersive experience Meditate like a Dolphin in Art District LA, Cocotte House, simultaneous in NYC on a big billboard of Times Square. This place wants to become the future of wellness, also I will develop brunch meditation, integrating all the local people of Art District, associated with communities and celebrities.

As a singer, your latest single “Christ” has gone viral. How do you feel?

The day I listened to the Ukrainian Virtuoso Pianist Maryna Kysla playing Chopin at the Sanctuary of Leigh and Carla McLoskey in Malibu, I was in tears. Immediately, the idea came to sing meditation, the most beautiful prayers, to the genius melodies of Chopin. It is also very important to support Maryna Kysla and all her Ukrainian family and friends amidst the bombings. I sing ‘Christ’ to bring peace, hope, and love, and to awaken our dormant minds, lost in inactive activism. Sometimes, we are too tired to pray, too exhausted to tackle even the most difficult tasks… doing nothing. So, I hope that ‘Christ’ can become a sacred moment where we can reconnect with ourselves, feel our souls, and be reconnected to God. How can we live without God? The goal of our life is to draw closer to God

MARYNA KYSLA

Ukrainian Virtuoso Pianist

You are considered a Ukrainian virtuoso. Do you believe that the song “CHRIST,” where you collaborate with Michel Pascal, can be beneficial, especially today?

I truly believe that the song ‘CHRIST,’ a collaboration with Michel Pascal, holds immense potential for benefit, especially in our current times. Music has a unique ability to touch hearts and evoke emotions, transcending language and cultural barriers. Amidst life’s struggles, this prayerful music can be a comforting light. It can remind us that even in difficult times, there’s a higher force we can seek for solace and guidance.

Do you think that incorporating prayers and singing onto Chopin melodies can assist people in discovering him?

Absolutely! I believe that combining prayers and singing with Chopin’s timeless melodies is a powerful way to introduce people to his genius. His compositions are rich and beautiful, with each note resonating with emotion and depth.

When we infuse these melodies with spiritual elements, they become more than music; they become gateways—whispers of hope, echoes of eternity.

As an artist, I am humbled to bring Chopin’s prayerful compositions to the world, hoping they will resonate with people.

Christ,” the first single, has gone viral on YouTube. How do you feel as a Ukrainian artist? What does your family think about this first viral song? Have you received any comments from friends in Ukraine?”

My family and friends have heard the prayer song, and they liked it. I believe that people, in general, perceive the prayer very positively. Now, with my country at war and many people feeling exhausted and despondent, this prayer has the power to ignite a small flame of hope in their hearts. They pray to all the saints, seeking an end to the war. I cannot watch passively; I want to contribute by playing Chopin’s works. May this music serve as a prayer for all people.

Next concerts, events:

April 28 / Redondo Beach, California

May 18 / Malibu Olandar, California

May 16 / Los Angeles Art District, Cocotte House

May 16 / New York Times Square

May 23 / Serra Monastery Malibu, California

May 30 / Ojai, California

June 2nd / Pasadena, California

June 6 / New York Rubin Museum

YouTube : https://youtube.com/@michelpascal2872?si=_1Ji1hQsO3x3TD3a

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/michelmeditates?igsh=M2E1aGMyMmc3cmty

Entertainment

VOTT’s “Heart Breaker” EP: A Global Soundtrack of Resilience and Determination

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, VOTT—an American singer, songwriter, music producer, and music executive—is a rising artist set to release his anticipated Afrobeats EP “Heart Breaker.” Notably charting on the Billboard Top 20s as a recording artist, VOTT brings a unique perspective. He draws inspiration from his spirit of resilience and determination, extensive travels to Africa, and deep connection to the Charleston community, which has notable strong ties with Africa and the Caribbean.

Produced by a Grammy-nominated team of producers, his debut EP, ‘Heart Breaker,’ is a unique blend of Afrobeat rhythms and R&B melodies, a fusion that sets him apart in the industry. With his smooth vocals and impressive vocal range, VOTT’s music takes listeners on a captivating journey through his life, celebrating the triumphs and struggles that have shaped him into the artist he is today.

VOTT’s story is one of overcoming struggles through resilience and determination rooted in community and culture. As someone who grew up in a lower-middle-class family in South Carolina, he understands the struggle and adversity one faces in pursuit of one’s dreams. His journey in the music industry has been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. Still, he never lost his unwavering dedication and resilience.

VOTT recognized that education was crucial for achieving his dreams and enrolled in college to study business. This decision has proven invaluable in helping him navigate the complexities of the music industry while pursuing his creative pursuits. With these skills, VOTT is ready to captivate audiences with his music, celebrating a rich tapestry of culture and emotion.

As a current student at Boston University, VOTT is not just a rising artist but also a beacon of hope for many. His ability to balance academic and career responsibilities while pursuing his passion for music is a testament to his determination and resilience. His vulnerability and openness make him approachable to fans and inspire them to pursue their creative dreams, no matter their struggles, heartbreaks, or backgrounds.

VOTT aspires to become a music mogul and a Grammy award-winning artist, creating music that resonates with his audience by collaborating with other talented artists and using his platform to advocate for wellness in the music industry.