Anshu Arora, the author of "Candid Conversations with Anshu Arora: 11 True Stories of Extraordinary Grit, Courage, and Resilience," is a multi-faceted individual known for her professional excellence and her unwavering commitment to shedding light on the stories of remarkable individuals. Her book, categorized as a collection of inspirational biographies and a resource on mental health, delves into the lives of extraordinary people who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in the face of various challenges.
Anshu Arora wears many hats in her professional life. She is a C-Suite facilitator, Speaker Coach, Pecha-Kucha Coach, and Executive Coach, showcasing her expertise in leadership and communication. However, what truly sets her apart is her passion for exploring the human spirit and the incredible stories of individuals who have overcome adversity. To pursue this passion, she initiated the "Candid Conversations with Anshu Arora" podcast, where she engages in thought-provoking interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds, showcasing their tales of grit and determination.
The book, "Candid Conversations with Anshu Arora," brings to light the real stories of Everest Base Camp trekkers, LGBT activists, psychotherapists, and many more. These stories serve as a testament to the resilience and courage of people from different walks of life. Anshu Arora's book serves as a source of inspiration for readers seeking motivation and insights into how ordinary individuals can accomplish extraordinary feats and how they can navigate challenges related to mental health.
In addition to her podcast and book, Anshu Arora also contributes her wisdom and insights as a columnist for a mental health magazine. Her work as a columnist, author, and podcast host demonstrates her dedication to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and offering a platform for people to share their experiences and stories.
Through her various professional roles and her commitment to sharing stories of extraordinary grit, courage, and resilience, Anshu Arora has become a voice that empowers individuals to overcome their personal challenges and serves as a source of inspiration for those striving to make a difference in their lives. Her work continues to shine a spotlight on the strength of the human spirit and offers a message of hope and resilience for all.
1. Can you tell us more about your book, "Candid Conversations with Anshu Arora," and what inspired you to write it?
> What Intrigued me to write the book? The Kola Superdeep Borehole in north-west Russia is the world's deepest human-made hole with a depth of 12,262 meters. Situationally and Mentally I had fallen into something similar. The situation I faced was not unique, however I was hit hard and it took me some time to register these events. I had almost begun to believe that I belong there, in that hole, until I saw a ray of light and I wanted to follow it to come out.
This ray of light, was other people, who were fighting bigger battles with even bigger smiles. This book happened when I decided that I wanted to pay forward. Pay forward what I had learnt from my exit from that deep hole. That was step 1.
I then laid out the challenges on paper. The challenges that I wanted to address. I was not searching for a particular popular individual, I was researching the challenges that I wanted to address in the book
I tapped on my network and the network of my network and the dots started to join. Soon enough I had 11 people, 11 perspectives and 11 true stories of extraordinary grit, courage and resilience. The book has been classified in the category of – Inspirational Biographies. This is not a dark or a sad book. This is a book of hope. I am sure anyone who reads it will find something
2. The book covers real stories of extraordinary grit, courage, and resilience. Could you share some of the most inspiring or memorable moments you encountered while writing these stories? > The most memorable moments are those of both the Interviewer and the interviewee becoming vulnerable. When extremely victorious or heartbreaking incidents were discussed, by both. I have image flashes of Dilshad in the living room Looking at Akshay's picture on the wall, of Krishna's throat drying up when he said, all he seeks is acceptance & equality; of Colin's eyes lighting up when he explains the passion that drives him, of Samindara looking up to collect her thoughts about how the base of every concern is lack of communication, of Debojit saying the word acceptance thrice over meaning that is where healing begins. The journey itself is the most memorable part.
3. What criteria did you use to select the individuals featured in your book? What qualities or experiences do they share that make their stories compelling?
> I had clearly categorized the heads that I wanted to cover in the book to give a holistic perspective. When I started interviewing, I was clear about what I wanted and even more clear about what I did not.
I wanted authenticity and depth of content. Many people thrive in self-acclaim of being great. That was exactly what I was going to negate. What truly makes the stories compelling, is authenticity, candidness and the fact that it is real and not scripted. Each story will leave you hungry and seeking for more.
4. Mental health is a significant theme in your book. How do the stories you've included address and contribute to discussions about mental health and well-being? > I value mental health because I have personally experienced a life in it's absence. It is the soil that holds the roots of a human. All 11 stories talk about coming out victorious of a difficult situation. There are true stories of how one is sent into a dark deep hole of helplessness, loss of life, struggle for identity, deceit, trauma and a place of no light. It is about how each one in the book created small grooves to get out of the hole. Having said that, the readers would be delighted that it is not a dark book at all. Intense yes, but dark no. It is a book of hope. A book of real, relatable people like you and I, who tried their best!
5. One of the individuals featured is an Everest Base Camp trekker. Can you share some insights from their journey and how it relates to the broader theme of resilience? > Dilshad Master's chapter Swing it like the Gallant Roo and introduction by FRGS Mandip Singh Soin have been a personal game changer for me.
The lessons:
40 steps at a time
&
One Camp at a time are etched in my brain.
Whenever any goal appears far or unachievable, our baldhart Dilshad Master said, just take 40 steps at a time and pause. Then get ready to take the next 40 and then repeat. Gradually you would see how far you have reached from where you were stuck. That is exactly what Mandy said, it's not about the summit. One has to look at the journey to the Summit, one camp at a time. Get to one Camp, hault and move on to the next. This is true for all complex and difficult situations in life. Whenever life gets overwhelming and being brave is the only choice one has, then the mantra is 40 steps and one Camp at a time. That is what truly contributes to an individual's resilience.
6. You also feature an LGBT activist in your book. Could you discuss the importance of sharing their story in the context of promoting diversity and inclusivity? > This interview was an eye opener. Just when I thought, I understood the complexities and the real struggle, I met Krishna, the LGBT activist and all my misconceptions came crashing down. I realised that I and many more like me, know nothing about the reality.
After I interviewed Krishna, it took me a few days to pick the pen again, because the ground realities gave me goosebumps.
The struggle for identity is real, the need to live free is real, being trapped in a body you do not resonate with also real.
We don't realise we are breathing every minute of the day. We take it for granted and do not pause until the breath is obstructed. Visualize someone in a state of constant need for oxygen, how difficult must that be?
I understood that the need is first to get our house in order and set basics in place. The chapter is about Krishna's journey of grit-ful standing up for inclusivity. The efforts towards equity and inclusion over years. A lot has been achieved, but for sure there are miles to go.
7. As a C-Suite facilitator and executive coach, how has your professional background influenced your approach to storytelling and the themes in your book? > I am a certified storyteller and I believe in research before drafting a solution. My work approach and mindset of connecting to the concern and then weaving a solution helped me. Since I indulge in simulation creation and that involves understanding people and perspectives, that helped me in listening and understanding lines of thought, the why of a response and how perspectives can be absolutely different from how we see.
8. You run a podcast called "Candid Conversations with Anshu Arora." How does the podcast complement the stories in your book, and how does it serve as a platform for sharing more stories of grit and courage? > My podcast was started when the book was getting ready to be published. I interviewed people of all ages. Those who were living lives of grit and courage. We had people from 8 to 80 years of age on the podcast. These were relatable real stories. We now have 2 season's running on the show.
9. Your role as a columnist for a mental health magazine suggests a deep interest in mental health issues. How do you hope to raise awareness and contribute to the dialogue around mental health through your writing and other activities? > I am a columnist with a mental health magazine. With my podcast, I realised that many people need a safe place to express and being heard. So I started picking up topics that resonate with people. Questions that cross people's mind which they shy away from asking. I starting talking about every day struggles with mental health. All other columnists were also attempting the same. I like to be a part of the big sea that supports someone trying to sail on.
10. What message or lessons do you hope readers will take away from "Candid Conversations with Anshu Arora," and how do you envision it making a positive impact on their lives? > Sometimes you are writing the book and sometimes the book is writing you.
This book was writing me.
I want this book do for others what the process of writing the book did for me.
It made me understand that however big our battles are, there is always someone who is fighting a bigger battle with an even bigger smile.
The positive impact I envision through this book is "Attraversiamo". It means let's cross over.
Understanding that nothing in life is etched in stone. Any time in life , we can say that this is not final and this is not how I would like my life to be. Saying it to self, that this is not final. We can get up and change our current life to what we want it to be. It is possible.
This is a book of hope. I shows how people have overcome unimaginable difficult situations with grit, courage and resilience.
I decided to pay forward with this book. Pass on what I learnt. I hope it happens.
11. Can you provide insights into your future projects or any new stories you plan to share in your podcast or writing that continue to explore themes of inspiration, grit, and resilience? > I am soon going to be on a show. The reach and design of the same is graceful, mature and intriguing.
We will be bringing to light more true stories of grit, Courage and Resilience.
I have realized that the number of people who watch shows are much more than those who read. By being on that large platform, I would be able to reach out to many more people. I am grateful for platforms like yours that support in traveling of messages like these. I will continue to connect with platforms like yours in the future.
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