Leap 2 Empower

Awakening One Leap at a Time

Healing, Signs, and Self-Worth: Leaping into the Unknown with Aisha, Myra, and Farah Host Shaila Lalani welcomes friends Aisha, Myra, and Farah to discuss how healing is sparked by loss, discomfort, and inner nudges, and defined as returning to wholeness, gaining self-awareness, and becoming okay with who you are. They share personal turning points moving and feeling isolated, losing important loved ones, leading to practices like therapy, yoga, meditation, reading, sound baths, and spirituality exploration. The group bonds over synchronicities and “signs,” including rainbows, ladybugs, and ducks as symbols of connection after death, and they describe healing through triggers, not taking things personally, boundaries, community, and calming the nervous system. They connect money to freedom, energy, gratitude, and abundance vs. scarcity mindsets, and encourage listeners to take the leap when ready, trust divine timing, and seek joy. 01:17 Defining Healing 03:02 When Change Begins 03:59 Myra Finds Yoga 05:08 Loss Sparks Awakening 06:49 Roots and Belonging 08:37 Tools and Practices 09:22 Many Lives Many Masters 12:49 Signs and Synchronicity 15:55 Self Worth Lessons 19:07 Triggers and Mirrors 21:26 Money Beyond Numbers 22:43 Surrender With Money 23:30 Childhood Money Imprints 25:09 Abundance Vs Scarcity 26:29 If Money Walked In 27:23 Facing The Leap 30:11 Body Wisdom And Intuition 32:05 Advice For The Journey 33:51 Soul Sparks Rapid Fire 38:06 Boundaries And Bold Takeaway 40:12 Closing Reflection Thanks for tuning into Leap 2 Empower for real stories of real people who dared to leap. Follow along on Instagram @leap2empowerpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/leap2empowerpodcast] for updates! If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. And remember your leap doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Living with an Open Heart

Open Heart: A Cardiologist’s Leap Toward Healing Beyond the Physical Host Shaila Lalani welcomes Dr. Priya Rao Kothapalli, a four-times board-certified interventional/structural cardiologist and creator of the Open Heart podcast, to discuss the leap from identifying solely as a doctor to embracing a heart-led, creative, and spiritual approach to healing. Priya shares her early exposure to the cath lab through her father, the rarity of women in her specialty, and how working directly with the heart feels spiritual, intuitive, and deeply present. She describes growing up as a first-generation Indian American in a small Texas town, feeling pressured to fit in, and carrying perfectionism and a need to prove herself through medical training and into her first job. A series of high-stakes cases including multiple cardiac arrests and patients recounting similar experiences while clinically dead combined with personal premonition-like experiences and a catalytic relationship pushed her to question purely material views of medicine. She quit a full-time role without a plan and took a major leap into yoga teacher training in Costa Rica, which shifted her toward energy medicine concepts, rest, internal clarity, and alignment. Returning to the cath lab through short-term opportunities, she felt clearer, more connected, and more effective, emphasizing how sleep deprivation and burnout can cloud intuition—an element she sees as central to the ‘art of medicine’ and team harmony. Priya defines healing as coherence of mind, body, soul, and connection with others, and empowerment as living in alignment with one’s authentic gifts and purpose. She also discusses financial empowerment as grounding, acknowledges intimidation around finances due to lack of modeling in her South Asian upbringing, and reframes money as energetic exchange and flow. The conversation closes with Priya’s legacy of living with love and an open heart, advice to take aligned leaps despite fear, and a rapid ‘soul sparks’ segment covering what uplifts her, what grounds her, and her message that it’s important to question what is considered normal. 01:25 From ‘Just a Cardiologist’ to Creative Storyteller 02:50 Why Cardiology: Early Cath Lab Roots & Community 04:28 The Heart as a Spiritual Experience in the Cath Lab 06:58 Growing Up Different: Perfectionism, Proving, and the Box 09:18 Cardiac Arrest Cases & the Moment ‘We’re Not Alone’ 11:24 The Big Leap: Quitting, Costa Rica, and Yoga Teacher Training 15:12 Returning to Medicine Differently: Clarity, Rest, and Burnout Lessons 17:49 Intuition in Medicine: Energy, Intention, and Resonance 23:30 What Healing Means Now + Launching the Open Heart Podcast 25:56 Empowerment & Money as Energy: Financial Grounding 28:12 Legacy, Love, and Advice for Women on the Edge of a Leap 30:44 Soul Sparks Rapid-Fire Q&A 32:20 Closing Reflections: Healing Beyond the Physical Thanks for tuning into Leap 2 Empower for real stories of real people who dared to leap. Follow along on Instagram @leap2empowerpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/leap2empowerpodcast] for updates! If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. And remember your leap doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Minute by Minute: The Courage to Keep Going

Resilience and Triumph: Fareeda Momin's Inspiring Journey In this episode of 'Leap 2 Empower,' host Shaila Lalani interviews Fareeda Momin, a woman of resilience and strength, who shares her journey of raising premature twins and building a successful career at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Fareeda discusses the challenges she faced and overcame, from high-risk pregnancy to NICU stays, and how she balanced work and personal life with the support of her family and faith. She also shares valuable life lessons on courage, resilience, and the importance of community support. This inspiring conversation underscores the power of hope, faith, and the relentless pursuit of one’s goals. 01:42 Fareeda's Early Challenges with Twins 04:50 NICU Journey and Overcoming Obstacles 09:17 Support Systems and Work-Life Balance 14:13 Faith and Financial Challenges 21:01 Empowerment and Advice for Women 22:02 Rapid Fire and Closing Thoughts Thanks for tuning into Leap 2 Empower for real stories of real people who dared to leap. Follow along on Instagram @leap2empowerpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/leap2empowerpodcast] for updates! If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. And remember your leap doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Living from the Capital S Self

Embodying Transformation: The Limitless Journey of Nancy Perry In this episode of 'Leap 2 Empower,' host Shaila Lalani dives into the transformative journey of Nancy Perry, a teacher, writer, yoga guide, entrepreneur, and creator of transformational experiences. Nancy shares how she overcame personal challenges, from dropping out of college and battling an eating disorder to becoming an influential yoga instructor and entrepreneur. Her story emphasizes the power of reconnecting with oneself, embracing vulnerability, and the importance of mindful practices like yoga. Through her book 'Little Shifts for a Big Life' and her current endeavor with Valor, Nancy continues to inspire others to take leaps of faith, embrace their true selves, and live their fullest lives. 01:40 Nancy's Early Life and Struggles 05:05 Discovering Yoga and Transformation 07:59 Journey to Entrepreneurship 11:44 Reconnecting with Self and Overcoming Victimhood 17:17 Embracing Challenges and Personal Growth 17:42 Journey into Yoga and Fitness 19:14 Writing and Publishing a Book 21:33 Understanding Empowerment 25:34 Balancing Life and Work 27:37 Transition to Valor 31:08 Self-Worth and Final Thoughts 33:29 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion Thanks for tuning into Leap 2 Empower for real stories of real people who dared to leap. Follow along on Instagram @leap2empowerpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/leap2empowerpodcast] for updates! If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. And remember your leap doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Heavy Weights, Big Faith, and the Power Within

Embodying She-Power: Halima Khan's Journey Through Fitness and Life In this episode of 'Leap 2 Empower,' host Shaila Lalani interviews Halima Khan, a trainer, coach, and life motivator at Khango. Halima shares her journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming a key figure in the fitness industry. She discusses her initial struggles with health and body image, her transition from the corporate world to pursuing her passion for fitness, and the vital role of her faith in overcoming life's challenges. The conversation delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience, and empowerment as Halima emphasizes the importance of embracing one's true self and the transformative power of fitness. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions, shedding light on Halima's personal joys and motivations. 00:39 The Journey to Khango 02:58 Overcoming Personal Challenges 05:12 From Corporate to Fitness 12:50 Building Khango and Its Impact 19:13 Facing Financial Instability and Finding Faith 20:05 Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry 22:12 The Power of Intuition 23:29 The Importance of Routine and Mentorship 27:38 Embracing the Process in Boxing and Life 32:54 Advice for Women on the Edge 36:00 Rapid Fire: Soul Sparks 37:49 Final Thoughts and Empowerment Thanks for tuning into Leap 2 Empower for real stories of real people who dared to leap. Follow along on Instagram @leap2empowerpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/leap2empowerpodcast] for updates! If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. And remember your leap doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.