Shivani Bhattacharya
In this exclusive interview with certified Holistic Stress and Sleep Coach Shivani Bhattacharya, we explore the significant importance of managing stress and sleep, especially among women at the helm. Shivani talks about her journey, the challenges she overcame, and how she empowers other women to reclaim their well-being to sustain professional success. Connect with her journey on LinkedIn.
Q: Shivani, tell us a little about your background and experience that led you to become a stress and sleep coach.
I spent 15 years working in the corporate world, particularly in Media Ad Sales, and later transitioned into entrepreneurship by running a social media marketing agency. During this time, I found myself struggling with stress and sleep issues, which led to health problems like digestive issues and endometriosis. It was only after I took the reins of my health that things started getting better. I learned stress management, sleep coaching, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which really helped me personally. Witnessing how these tools helped me change my health, I wanted to share this knowledge and empower women leaders to overcome similar struggles. I now practice as a certified coach, science-based and empathetic, working to help women reclaim their energy, health, and productivity.
Q: What motivated you to establish this coaching practice, and how did your own life experiences inform your practice?
My coaching practice was born from my own struggles with stress and sleep deprivation. For years, I worked in high-pressure roles where long hours and constant demands left me exhausted and burnt out. I tried to push through, but it eventually started to affect my health, my focus, and even my relationships.
What changed for me wasn't an overnight transformation. It took small, consistent steps-learning mindfulness techniques, making small behavioral shifts, and understanding how stress and sleep are deeply connected. Over time, I saw how these changes helped me show up stronger, both personally and professionally.
The more I talked to other women in leadership roles, the more I realized how common this struggle is. Many of them face the same challenges-leading teams, making critical decisions, and navigating constant pressure-all while neglecting their own well-being. That's why I started this practice: to offer tools and support through Wellness with Shivani, helping women regain control of their health, manage stress, and lead with clarity and confidence.
Q: As someone who works with high-achieving women, what unique perspective do you bring to your coaching practice?
Having worked in that same high-pressure environment, I understand very well the stress and exhaustion that go along with leadership roles. My personal experience allows me to approach coaching in an empathetic sense and offer real-world solutions that will resonate deeply with my clients. What sets me apart is my ability to combine stress and sleep management, recognizing how intertwined they are. My methodology, the Mindfulness Mastery Method, is designed to address both aspects together, creating a holistic approach to well-being. This method includes mindfulness techniques, behavioral psychology, and personalized strategies that lead to lasting changes.
Q: What are the most common issues women face when they come to you for coaching?
The women I work with are often high-achievers juggling demanding careers, family responsibilities, and personal goals. The most common issues they face include:
Through my tailored coaching programs, I help them address these challenges by focusing on stress management, sleep optimization, and building sustainable habits that allow them to thrive both professionally and personally.
Q: What challenges have you faced in building your business, and how did you overcome them?
Starting my business wasn't without its challenges. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced the hurdles of building credibility, reaching my audience, and standing out in a competitive industry. I overcame these challenges by focusing on what I offer: authentic, personalized, and science-backed solutions. Building trust with my clients has been key. I have built myself as a credible coach through word of mouth and the continuous delivery of meaningful results in stress and sleep management.
Q: What do you envision for your brand and business in the future? What are your dreams?
I envision my brand going international with women leaders managing their stress and sleep from across the world. In the following years, I aspire to have conducted international workshops and published a book on stress and sleep while working towards an empowerment community for health-conscious career-women. Lastly, it's to change how rest and being well is treated in the corporate sphere and how we inspire the modern woman to lead with energy, focus, and confidence.
Q: Do you have any words of advice for women suffering from stress and sleep disorders?
Managing stress and prioritizing sleep aren't just essential for personal well-being-they're critical for professional success, especially for women leaders. Women in leadership roles often need to make high-stakes decisions, manage diverse teams, and navigate constant challenges. Without proper rest and stress management, it's easy for these pressures to take a toll on your mental clarity, emotional intelligence, and overall performance.
Stress management and practices like mindfulness not only help you stay calm under pressure but also enhance your emotional intelligence-a crucial trait for effective leadership. Prioritizing recovery is non-negotiable because you can only hustle and lead effectively if you're well-rested and recharged.
My advice is simple: make your well-being a priority. When you're well-rested and emotionally balanced, you'll not only be able to tackle challenges with clarity but also inspire confidence and productivity in your team. Thriving as a leader starts with thriving as an individual.
Q: Can you tell us about your signature programs and how they address stress and sleep challenges?
I've designed two signature programs to address the unique challenges faced by women leaders:
Both programs are designed to deliver science-backed, actionable results while being flexible enough to fit into busy schedules.
If you're curious about how these programs can help you, I'd love to chat! You can book a free discovery call here: https://calendly.com/wellnesswithshivani/free-discovery-call?month=2025-01
