This is me, C'est Moi
Made in 80's
Hometown: Bangalore/Bengaluru, India Lovely parents, no siblings
Comfort food
Masala Dosa, Hakka Noodles, Oatmeal. Not crazy about meat. Dairy intolerant :(
I love
Rain. Dogs. Football. Reading in coffee shops. Travel. Learning French.
guilty pleasure
Love is Blind! Watched all countries, all seasons. Easily amused by it.
music lover
80s/90s Classic Hits, Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Queen, U2, The Verve, The Cure
Day job
Global online marketing role at multinational tech company
Social?
Ambivert. Love hanging out with close people. But alone time is non-negotiable.
Romance
Single. Love being in love, but equally comfortable alone. Marriage? Undecided.
My journey with my illness
Before the Illness
At 25, I moved to the United States to pursue my MBA. I jumped at every opportunity to explore new places and cultures. My exchange courses took me to Switzerland, Mexico, and Ethiopia, before I eventually settled in Chicago for work.
I loved every bit of being an independent young woman in a big city. Over the next few years, I chased dreams and adventures — witnessing the Northern Lights in Alaska (a childhood wish come true), attending music concerts, experimenting with new cuisines, and turning into a fitness enthusiast. I felt alive almost every single day.
When It All Changed
One morning, during a weekend run by Lake Michigan, I noticed my right foot dragging slightly. It seemed trivial at first — an odd limp, a passing discomfort. But soon, it began showing up on every walk.
Months later, tests revealed demyelination in my spinal cord. No clear cause, no explanation. I ran a half marathon just a year ago - what in the world happened?
I returned to India to be with family. The years that followed were dark. My walking deteriorated rapidly, and so did my spirit.
Healing and Becoming Whole Again
My turning point came unexpectedly, through a recommendation to read The Secret. Whatever my views on visualization, that book made me realize how toxic my thought patterns had become. I knew I had to change — inside out.
So, I started small:
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Deleted social media and stopped mindless scrolling
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Unsubscribed from MS newsletters to stop identifying with my illness
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Built routines around sleep, nutrition, and journaling
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Learnt to meditate and practice mindfulness
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Immersed myself in inspiration — books, podcasts, conversations
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Reconnected with joy through learning French
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Said “yes” to new experiences more often
Slowly, I began to see a shift — in my mindset, my confidence, and my energy. I opened up to new possibilities, rediscovered laughter, and found a renewed love for life.
As a marathon runner, learning to adapt to my body’s limitations has been one of the most challenging journeys I’ve faced. Yet, each day, I also watch myself grow bolder, more resilient, and far more compassionate.. with an optimism I didn’t know I was capable of.
This journey has taught me to value the simple, beautiful gift of being alive.
And for that, I owe my deepest gratitude to my incredible family and friends - the ones who remind me, again and again, that I am so much bigger than my problems.
We all are.