I grew up with a difficult childhood, being by myself all the time. My parents were first-generation immigrants, with my mom working a lot just to make ends meet. She managed 3-4 jobs, ranging from a nurse’s aid to a factory worker. On the other hand, my father was a graduate student who also worked as a cook at the local air force base. I believe that my parents were my biggest inspiration growing up. This childhood experience taught me a great deal about my strength and survival as well.

Today, my faith also plays a great role in inspiring me and giving me strength. I am a Muslim revert, which has made me realize how important it is to be grounded in faith and spirituality. It has helped me think about problems that I wouldn’t have before. The peace of mind that Islam provides me made me choose to become an Islamic influencer. When it comes to people, my parents and my online family have given me immense strength.

All the survivors I have met throughout my life have given me so much inspiration, helping me draw from their struggles. Even those that come to me with mental health struggle and suicidal tendencies also inspire me. I have learned about how they have managed to survive and fought on to live. They keep fighting for their family for years on end and never give up. Lastly, my friends, who have always been my support system, had given me strength when I needed it.

Doing the kind of work that I do, there is a very thin line between work and personal life if any at all. I chose to be a public figure and an inspiration, a part of people’s journey. My personal life and work are more or less the same, as I am continually working to influence people to become the best version of themselves. However, I still believe that it is essential to carve out some time for your loved ones, even if it’s in the form of a small gesture. It is their right, and it helps them to know that they matter. It is important to be spiritually connected, even if not physically.

Females have a very different understanding and handling of the world from the opposite gender. I think people are now ready for more female influencers to come up and have a more visible role.

I think it is important to have a voice and talk about issues. I suffered from depression and anxiety myself for most of my life. There are days when I cannot do much and situations where I am completely immobilized. I also have CPTSD (Complex post-traumatic stress disorder), but I don’t see any of my mental hurdles as setbacks. Instead, I see them as challenges, as something that I have to overcome throughout life. After all, it is all a part of me. These conditions slow me down sometimes but I have also learned from them. I have learned coping mechanisms and methods to detect them that I use to help others in need of the same. Having experienced things myself has helped me to be the person that can sit with those in need and understand their situation, and provide validation for what they are going through. 

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