Like many of us, Seetha Sagaran once stood at a crossroads, unsure of where her journey would take her. Yet, driven by a heartfelt desire to make a difference, she took small, deliberate steps forward, navigating societal expectations and personal challenges along the way. Today, Seetha’s progress into a personal development trainer, lifestyle consultant, motivational speaker, and author has touched lives with an approach to empowerment through affinity and compassion.
A Path Defined by Resilience and Purpose
Seetha’s journey is a testament to resilience and self-belief. With academic expertise in English, Psychology, and Counselling, along with certifications in Crisis and Trauma Counselling, Hypnotherapy, and teaching children with special needs, she has built a career that reflects her commitment to helping others. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that everyone has the potential to grow and thrive, no matter their circumstances.
Since 2004, Seetha has been a member of Toastmasters International and Dubai Toastmasters Club, where she refined her public speaking and leadership skills. Her passion for mentorship led her to create The Nankurunaisa Mentoring Program in 2020, a personalised online initiative aimed at fostering self-confidence, resilience, and self-motivation in her mentees. The phrase “Nankurunaisa” originated in ancient Japan, symbolising mindful living and existence, with respect and harmony as dominant factors for a balanced way of life. Through this customised program, she helps individuals navigate their personal and professional challenges with clarity while developing their confidence through self-discovery.
A Voice Through Words
Seetha’s literary contributions reflect her dedication to inspiring others. In 2020, she co-authored Your Dose of Motivation, a book that shares life lessons and simplifies the concept of self-motivation. Her insights continued to shine in Women Who Inspire (2021), where she explored the transformative power of mentorship. Her creative work includes the co-authored collection of short stories Sagas of Destiny and the poetry anthology Reverie (2021), as well as We Are Leaders – Expressions & Experiences (2022), which delves into the essence of leadership. Her poetic journey continued with Desert Storms (2023), a tribute to the UAE’s 51st National Day.
The same year, her second co-authored book on leadership, Rise and Shine – The Power of Togetherness, was released. In 2024, her third co-authored poetry anthology, Smonday, was published. Her second co-authored anthology of short stories awaits publication in 2025. Through her writing, Seetha has touched the hearts of many, offering insights and inspiration that resonate deeply with her readers.
Recognition and Impact
Seetha’s work has been recognised with several accolades, including the Global Training & Development Leadership Award (2017), the Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM) from Toastmasters International in 2019, the Exceptional Women of Excellence Award (2020), and the Exceptional Leader of Excellence Award (2021). She also received the Outstanding International Guest Speaker of the Year from Global Youth Mental Health Awareness Inc (GYMHA) in 2021. In 2022, she received the Best Poet award from the Innovative Authors International Forum in India.
Overcoming Challenges with Grace
Her journey has not been without its challenges. As a woman navigating diverse professional and cultural landscapes, she faced personal challenges, which today she refers to as “invaluable learning lessons”. However, her determination to make a meaningful difference allowed her to turn challenges into opportunities.
Her ability to connect with individuals across cultures and inspire change through interactive learning has been a key factor in her success. Her approach to developing resilience and facing challenges is predominantly rooted in her ideology based on ancient philosophies from the East and the West.
A Global Advocate for Empowerment
Seetha’s contributions extend beyond her immediate profession. She serves as an Honorary Global Advisory Board Member of the CHILD CHAPTER ORGANISATION in India, an Honorary Life Member of ALL Ladies League (ALL), and an Ambassador of the Womenpreneur Digital Hub, a global platform for women in the MENA region.
Some affiliated organisations she is associated with include the Educational Leaders Forum, the Global Youth Mental Health Awareness (GYMHA) Incorporated in Australia and the Global Education and Training Institute (GETI). She is also a member of the literary forum, Innovative Authors International Forum in India.
Through her work with these organisations, Seetha has championed the transformative power of collaboration, fostering environments where individuals can thrive. Her contributions to TESOL Arabia and other professional bodies have redefined the roles of educators and leaders, emphasising the importance of impactful professional development.
A Life Guided by Empathy and Learning
Balancing a prolific career with personal commitments, Seetha exemplifies grace and resilience. Her philosophy, centred on inner strength, empathy, and continuous learning, guides her professional endeavours and enriches her personal relationships. Since 2012, Seetha has served as the Club Counselor for the Young Voices Gavel Club in Dubai, UAE, an initiative affiliated with Toastmasters International. Alongside a dynamic and dedicated team of Toastmaster peers, each gavel member is guided in developing and applying essential communication and leadership skills—skills that benefit them in their personal, academic, and future professional lives. The club’s learning process emphasizes encouragement, self-belief, and growth at each member’s individual pace, all within an environment of healthy competition and mutual support.
Her extensive experience as a consultant and trainer includes presenting training/motivational workshops, programs, and keynote sessions focused on individual development through interactive learning and mutual empowerment. Seetha’s training programs, motivational sessions, and workshops emphasise and integrate the importance of inner peace, well- being, self-esteem, and the participant’s confidence to motivate individuals to overcome personal and professional obstacles.
She has conducted Corporate, Educational, and Social Service & Welfare Training Workshops/Motivational Sessions in the U.A.E, India, Seychelles, Canada and the UK. She has also attended conferences in the U.A.E, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Italy as a Keynote/Motivational Speaker. Seetha has also presented virtual keynotes and motivational sessions at conferences conducted in the Netherlands, UK, Australia, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Liberia, France, and Indonesia.
Insights for Aspiring Leaders
Seetha’s advice to aspiring leaders and individuals is rooted in her extensive experience and personal philosophy:
Embrace Continuous Learning: Growth is a lifelong journey, and the pursuit of knowledge opens doors to new opportunities and perspectives. Develop an Attitude of Gratitude: Having gratitude towards life is undoubtedly a key contributing factor to any life philosophy.
Furthermore, developing gratitude enlightens life through mindful consciousness, positively impacting an individual’s principles, values and belief system. Cultivate Resilience: Challenges are inevitable, but resilience empowers individuals to navigate them with strength and purpose.
Prioritise Inner Peace and Well-being: True success encompasses mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Value Mentorship: Mentors play a pivotal role in shaping one’s journey, offering guidance that can inspire transformative growth.
Foster Empathy and Collaboration: Building meaningful connections and mutual support creates lasting impact in both personal and professional spheres.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Seetha’s legacy is one of empowerment, inspiration, and meaningful engagement. Her vision for the future is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and impact. By nurturing inner strength and mutual empowerment, she aims to create a world where individuals can achieve their fullest potential while contributing positively to society.
Through her journey, Seetha Sagaran has focused on creating the significance of personal development on professional development and progress. As a personal development and lifestyle consultant, trainer and motivational speaker, her work has promoted the importance of inspiring and motivating others, including sharing our life experiences for the purpose of supporting others to navigate their paths with courage, resilience, and purpose.
Valuable Insights
The word ‘Nankurunaisa’ is derived from the Japanese language and symbolizes an attitude towards life’s journey. It signifies an expression of innate positivity and trust that “Everything will work out in the end”. As ancient wisdom, Nankurunaisa can be considered an affirmation that promotes optimism and conviction in the face of challenges. Most of all, this ideology is profound for its ability to bring about inner energy and tranquillity. Seetha’s Nankurunaisa Mentoring Program emphasizes the South African Ubuntu Philosophy of Mentoring. According to this philosophy, we become what we are through the interactions, learning, and inspiration we gain from others in society. The classic relationship-centred humanistic philosophy of Ubuntu, which hails from Southern Africa, promotes respect for community, universal compassion, and tradition.
To ensure that the program follows the core values of this philosophy (e.g., respect, awareness and cohesion), importance is laid on the cultural integration (comprehension of the cultural context in the mentor- mentee interaction) in the mentoring process for greater effectiveness to the mentee’s personal and professional development and growth. When there is a subtle acknowledgement of cultural roots and heritage in the understanding of a mentee in a mentoring relationship, the confidence in the mentee to develop and reciprocate the efforts of the Mentor is enhanced.
With an emphasis on the principles of Psychology, Counselling, Creativity, Hypnotherapy and N.L.P., this mentoring program seeks to effectively develop individuals through their self-potential awareness, confidence, skills in communication, leadership competencies and interpersonal dexterity. Each session focuses on individual excellence, the personal and professional enhancement of knowledge, wisdom and happier living. During the sessions, there is also a conscious incorporation of the value of positive living and practising healthy habits to promote wellness as a motivation for mentees to attain their goals and lead fulfilling lives. Each session is customized to suit the unique needs and requirements of the mentee. The sessions involve preparation and research to ensure that every meeting is most ideally productive for the mentee’s personal and professional growth and progress.
The Nankurunaisa Mentoring Program promotes a mentee’s progress and development by implementing wellness and lifestyle changes. These changes aim to instil an absolute and confident sense of a transformational approach to attain excellence and happiness in their personal and professional lives.
