The Freedom of Emotional Fitness with Sonali Makanji
Sonali Makanji, Communications & Relational Expert focused on Emotional Fitness, is a London-based ICF Accredited Coach (CPCC, ACC) who helps individuals discover how to be more authentic in their communications and their presence. Now running her own coaching practice "Coaching with Sonali", she brings 12+ years of experience across corporate and professional services, spanning consulting and in-house industry leadership roles. She has served as Head of Communications for a pan-European management consultancy in the City of London and as Director, Head of Brand for a private equity backed tech unicorn.
In her first Moment of Impact (MOI), Sonali opens this episode by sharing an early lesson in primary school where she first became aware of the power of choosing perspective. She shares how seeing a peer draw a peacock using colors other than ones they naturally appear in opened her mind to thinking outside the box.
In a second Moment of Impact (MOI), she shares how she encountered a practitioner when she traveled to the foot of the Himalayas to rejuvenate, and how he advised her to “do nothing” during her stay there. He had perceived that she drove herself hard, was accustomed to planning and executing at a high level, but it was taking its toll on her well-being. Sonali embraced this advice and journaled. She became aware of how “just being” can be so cathartic and therapeutic.
These moments of insight she shares elucidate how she has developed her current work on emotional fitness. Sonali offers a suite of coaching services to help clients reconnect with themselves and deepen their connections with others.
In our conversation, Sonali shares an example of a bride who was getting "decision fatigue". Through their work together, they discovered that what was actually happening was the bride was seeking perfection in the planning of the wedding in order to feel safe and in control. Sonali’s work often focuses on unpacking these layers to get to the essence of what is actually going on and helping the person unlock their own wisdom in response.
Sonali would love you to engage with the art series on her website. In our pod convo, we discuss the “Onion People” image and what it strikes in each of us when we see it. Be sure to go to www.sonalimakanji.com to see what you think!
We talk about essentialism, building self-awareness through community, the power of inter-generational friendships, and more! As with every episode of our podcast, we close on what brings Sonali hope! We are so honored that Sonali appeared on the podcast and shared so many insights about how to be more emotionally fit and thriving! Thank you, Sonali!
