The Story Behind My Dual Passions: Data Science and Coaching
Why I Do What I Do
“Wait, are you leaving data science? Why are you a life coach now?”
These questions keep popping up from friends and colleague as I share more on Linkedln, Instagram.
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s a journey I haven’t shared much — not at work and certainly not online.
Two years ago, my world shifted when my dad suddenly passed away from a heart attack. I was in shock. Why would this happen to me so early in life? Beyond the grief, I felt embarrassed. I didn’t want people to know or pity me.
But then something unexpected happened.
A leader I worked reached out, sharing his own story of losing his father too — while he was still in college. What struck me most wasn’t just his experience but his perspective:
“Work is a means to live, but it shouldn’t be all we care about in life.”
That hit me hard. Coming from a culture that values hard work and constant striving, I’d always felt pressure to climb to the next level, no matter how much I’d already achieved.
But his words made me think: If I didn’t need to work to survive, who would I be? What would I do?
The answer surprised me. I realized I’d still want to do what I do: wear multiple hats as a data scientist — analyzing, consulting, building, and problem-solving.
But there was something more: a deep desire to inspire others, to teach, and to connect in meaningful ways.
At first, I documented my learnings on Medium and loved every moment of it. However, as I shifted my focus to teaching, public speaking, mentoring outside of my 9-to-5 job, while navigating my own healing journey, I stopped writing. Something felt missing — the freedom and creativity that content creation brought me.
I wanted to share more of my insights and learnings, but at the same time, fear held me back from showing up authentically. I worried about what people would think.
Reflecting on my darkest moments, I asked myself:
What’s the worst that could happen?
The worst isn’t embarrassment or judgment.
The worst is having meaningful ideas that never get to share with others.
The worst is leaving this world with regret — that I didn’t get to inspire others, that I didn’t use my voice to help someone else transform their life.
This realization gave me courage. I joined Toastmasters, spoke on panels, ran workshops, and even started filming videos. I also launched a newsletter, Elevate Squad, on Substack! The main motivation is to interact with my readers. It’s more than just a newsletter — it’s a community for lifelong learners who want to grow both personally and professionally.
Today, I feel lucky — lucky to have two passions: my work as a data scientist, which taps into the analytical side of my brand and challenges me intellectually, and keeps me constantly learning and growing; and my role as a coach, where I help others overcome self-doubt, find clarity, and take bold steps toward their biggest goals. It enhances my leadership and communication abilities.
I don’t have to choose between the two — they make me more effective, empathetic, and adaptable at both. And that’s exactly why I do what I do.
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