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: Smriti Walia
Today on Healthwise, we speak with Smriti Walia — a serial idea builder, creative thinker, and passionate collaborator who has carved a unique path across industries including F&B, design, and edtech. With her contagious enthusiasm and natural ability to bring ideas to life, Smriti has worked closely with founders to launch ventures, build stellar teams, and drive it growth. She’s currently leading sales for the Northern region at a fast-growing edtech company — and remains deeply committed to working only with people, brands, and ideas she truly believes in.
Raised across Northern and Western India as the daughter of an ex-serviceman, Smriti studied fashion design (which turned out to be less glamorous than it looked), then pivoted to the culinary world where she trained as a chef and even built her own company. The pandemic pushed her toward business management and growth roles, eventually leading her to the world of edtech. Outside of work, Smriti is a curious traveler, a food lover, a storyteller, and a master networker who thrives on meaningful human connections.
Let’s hear how she stays grounded, energized, and intentional in a high-performance environment.
Zocto: A brief introduction about yourself – your background, education, and professional journey so far.
Smriti Walia:
I’m a serial idea builder with a contagious enthusiasm for new ventures! I’ve thrived in dynamic industries like F&B, hospitality, design, and now edtech. I love building things from scratch — whether it’s businesses, teams, or experiences. I’ve lived and studied across North, West and South India — my dad is an ex-serviceman, so change and adaptability have always been part of life.
I studied to be a fashion designer but quickly realized it wasn’t as glamorous as it looked. Being a creative person and natural problem solver, I transitioned into culinary school, worked as a chef for a few years, and eventually built my own company. COVID changed everything — I pivoted into business management, then into growth and strategy roles, and now I lead sales for the Northern Region at an edtech firm. Through it all, I’ve made one rule: I only work with people, ideas, and brands I believe in.
Zocto: What does your daily health or fitness routine look like?
Smriti Walia: My mornings start with two cups of warm water with ghee, followed by a walk. It’s a sacred time for me. I also make sure to spend about 30–45 minutes without my phone, just being present with my husband — that’s our intentional pause before the day starts.
I typically eat two meals — brunch and dinner — and maybe a snack with coffee. Because I travel a lot for work, my regime needs to be flexible. I rely on YouTube workouts and strength training that I can do anywhere. Me and my husband cook our meals, plan our weekly menus, and shop for groceries together — it’s a grounding ritual we both enjoy.
Zocto: How do you manage stress or maintain mental clarity?
Smriti Walia: I journal and write a lot — pros and cons lists, reflections, daily thoughts. It helps me process everything. I paint, I nurture plants, I read — all these things slow me down and keep me centered.
I talk — a lot. I have friends I can rant and reflect with. My husband is my biggest strength, and we talk about everything. And when nothing helps, I go to therapy. There’s no shame in that — it’s part of how I take care of myself.
Zocto: Any wellness habits you swear by as a leader?
Smriti Walia: Yes! First — walk. It’s the most underrated exercise but it changes everything. Walk after meals. Walk when you’re stressed. Just walk.
Second, have an inner circle — people you can be real with. And always do something for yourself every day.
Also, reflect. I used to be a very pessimistic person — still am, sometimes. But reflection and gratitude help me acknowledge how far I’ve come. I journal constantly — in notebooks, in apps, wherever. Once things are out of your head and on paper, I feel you can deal with them better.
Finally, be present. Photos and social media are fine — but don’t forget to actually live your life.
Zocto: How does your organization support employee well-being?
Smriti Walia: They don’t treat me like a child — and that matters. I have control over my calendar, which means I can plan my life around work and travel. We have the flexibility of working from home, and no one micromanages me. My ideas are heard and even executed — I feel seen and valued.
Zocto: What’s one shift you’ve personally made when it comes to health?
Smriti Walia: Being present. Showing up for myself. Cooking at home a lot more than ordering in. Being more mindful with every decision — from food to relationships. Choosing who I allow into my life and fiercely protecting my mental peace.
Zocto: One health or wellness tip you’d share with fellow professionals?
Smriti Walia: Walk. Every chance you get. After meals, between meetings, during calls — just walk. It resets your body, mind, and mood. Also — be aware of what you’re putting in your body. Food is information. It shapes how you think, feel, and function. Smriti’s journey reminds us that leadership isn’t just about titles or metrics — it’s about intention, awareness, and care. Whether it’s planning meals, journaling thoughts, or walking through a busy workday, she shows how small rituals can build a sustainable and meaningful life.
Stay tuned for more real stories and reflections in our Healthwise series.