Healthwise is our interview series on Wellness, Leadership, and Balance in the Corporate World. In each edition, we sit down with inspiring professionals and leaders to uncover the personal habits, health routines, and mindset shifts that help them navigate demanding careers while staying grounded and well. From fitness rituals to mental clarity, we explore what it truly means to lead a balanced life in today’s fast-paced work culture.
Featuring: Shivani Bhattacharya
This week on Healthwise, we feature Shivani Bhattacharya — a Mumbai-based wellness coach, corporate professional turned entrepreneur, and a fierce advocate for stress recovery and sleep health. With over 15 years in the corporate world and a personal journey shaped by burnout and breakthrough, Shivani has dedicated herself to helping high-performing women reclaim their health and energy.
From media ad sales to building a boutique social media agency, Shivani has seen both sides of the hustle — the structured corporate ladder and the chaotic joy of entrepreneurship. But a period of intense stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness became her wake-up call, sending her inward in search of tools for healing. That inward journey led her to mindfulness, meditation, therapy, and eventually, professional certifications in stress and sleep science.
Today, Shivani works with women who are burning out while trying to do it all — and helps them slow down, rest deeper, and live with more clarity and compassion.
Let’s dive into her story.
Zocto: A brief introduction about yourself – your background, education, and professional journey so far.
Shivani Bhattacharya:
I’m based in Mumbai and hold an MBA, with over 15 years of experience in the corporate sector. My professional journey started in media ad sales, eventually leading me to head the Mumbai office for an Australian company. After that, I stepped into entrepreneurship and built my own boutique social media agency — so I’ve lived both the high-paced corporate life and the hustle of running a business.
But along the way, the pressure, deadlines, and constant multitasking began to catch up with me. I started experiencing severe stress, anxiety, and sleep issues. My health took a hit, and that was my wake-up call.
That’s when I turned inward. I began learning meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork. I also sought therapy, which was incredibly healing. The transformation I experienced was so powerful, it inspired me to help others do the same.
I went on to get certified in stress management, sleep science, recovery, and mindfulness practices. Today, I coach high-performing women to manage stress, sleep better, and reconnect with their well-being — so they can thrive, not just survive.
Zocto: What does your daily health or fitness routine look like?
Shivani Bhattacharya:
I’m definitely a morning person, and over time, I’ve come to understand how important it is — especially for women — to align our workouts with our natural energy cycles. I usually start my day with weight training, taking advantage of the morning cortisol spike when the body is naturally more alert.
Once I’m back, I wind down with some gentle breathwork, light stretches, and a short meditation session to ground myself and balance my nervous system. I’ve noticed that evening workouts tend to spike my cortisol and disrupt my sleep, so I prefer to keep my movement strictly to the first half of the day.
On recovery days, I enjoy long walks, swimming, or just being outdoors. I also make it a point to get early morning sunlight exposure — it helps regulate my circadian rhythm, which is directly linked to better sleep and reduced stress. For me, movement isn’t just about fitness — it’s foundational to both mental clarity and deep rest.
Zocto: How do you manage stress or maintain mental clarity?
Shivani Bhattacharya:
When it comes to managing stress and staying mentally clear, my biggest shift has been not waiting for a crisis to start taking care of myself. I don’t just react when things get tough — I try to stay consistent with my daily meditation and mindfulness practice, no matter what’s going on.
For me, mindfulness isn’t something I reserve for 10 minutes in the morning. It’s a way of living — a philosophy I carry into everyday moments. Whether I’m eating, walking, working, or simply breathing, I look for ways to stay present.
I’ve also learned that stress isn’t something to “eliminate.” It’s part of life. Some phases are harder than others, and that’s okay. The key is acceptance — acknowledging the stress without letting it control you. With that mindset, I remind myself: this will pass. And I show up with grace, not pressure.
Zocto: Any wellness habits you swear by as a leader?
Shivani Bhattacharya:
If there’s one wellness habit I swear by as a leader, it’s prioritizing sleep. It’s been the biggest game-changer for my mental and emotional health. A good night’s rest helps me wake up clear, focused, and energized.
I follow a wind-down ritual every evening, including gentle meditation to calm my nervous system. I don’t compromise on this — it’s non-negotiable. Sleep isn’t just rest; it’s recovery. It clears mental clutter, sharpens memory, and helps me show up as my best self, every single day.
Zocto: What’s one shift you’ve personally made when it comes to health?
Shivani Bhattacharya:
That would be to prioritise my sleep no matter what and follow a consistent sleep and wake time — even on weekends. It’s such a simple shift, but it has completely transformed how I feel, think, and show up every day.
Zocto: One health or wellness tip you’d share with fellow professionals?
Shivani Bhattacharya:
One wellness tip I always share with fellow professionals is to build a habit of journaling. It’s a powerful way to release mental clutter and create clarity.
Start your day by writing down your thoughts and your top five priorities — it sets the tone and brings focus. At night, use your journal to reflect, acknowledge what didn’t get done, and give yourself closure by committing to revisit it tomorrow.
This simple practice helps calm a restless mind and brings a sense of control, especially during stressful times.
From boardrooms to breathwork, Shivani Bhattacharya’s journey is a reminder that high performance and deep well-being can co-exist — but only if we make space for rest, reflection, and rhythm. Her story encourages us to redefine success not by how fast we go, but by how grounded we feel while getting there. Find out more about Shivani’s work at www.wellnesswithshivani.com.
Stay tuned for more insightful stories in the Healthwise series.
