Written by: Tricia Brouk, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Being able to support speakers in using their voices for impact is a privilege and I had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Asha Rani on how speaking your truth is the ultimate self-development.
Dr Asha Rani is a practicing periodontist in NYC. She received her dental degree from the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in 2003 and completed her periodontal residency training at the Manhattan VA Hospital. She is certified in Reiki Level 3 which is a form of alternative medicine to encourage emotional and physical healing. Outside of dentistry, Asha enjoys writing and speaking and in 2023 she published her first book titled, Who Is She? It is a memoir/self-help book about the journey beyond being a mother, wife, and daughter. Her book was a 1 Best Seller on Amazon in addition to ranking 1 New Release in four categories. As a career woman and mother of three children, Dr. Asha Rani strongly believes in the importance of self-care and prioritizes her daily life with a complete mind body soul approach to wellness!
Asha, your book Who Is She: The Journey Beyond Being A Mother, Wife and Daughter, is so personal. What gave you the courage to write this book?
I knew that my personal story was greater than myself and a journey of many. As I was allowing myself to be vulnerable and share deep parts of my life, something which I had never done before, I realized what a disservice it was for me to hide and struggle in silence. What began as a personal diary and then later evolved into a story for my children to read one day, very quickly turned into a mission for the world to read. My goal was to share, connect, and inspire anyone reading to know that they are not alone, and that they have the power to choose their happiness and recreate a new story. In order for that to happen, I knew I had to go first and open up about parts of my life that I kept to myself. It wasn’t easy to put myself out there and share my experiences about marriage, family life, childhood trauma, and feeling unfulfilled. The process of moving forward required me to let go of the fear of judgment. The inner work it took to surrender to that and the knowing that other people needed this healing as much as I did, is what gave me the courage to write my book Who Is She?
When you think about speaking your truth, what’s the first thing you would share with someone who feels they need to and aren’t sure where to start?
The first thing I would say is that the first person you need to speak your truth to is yourself. We are very good at keeping our truest self hostage and controlling the version that shows up in the world. Look in the mirror at the person staring back and start there. When you know you can no longer lie to yourself, that’s when the transformation and speaking your truth begins. Self-awareness is key to beginning the path of recreating a new story. Asking for help from a trusted friend, professional or wisdom teacher is the next pivotal step to letting go and decoding all the patterns and old stories you’ve been stuck in. Giving yourself the opportunity to face those dark places you’re afraid to go, will shed light on the truth that has always been waiting for you to embrace. Don’t rush the healing process, so give yourself the time and space to feel through everything.
How can we prepare ourselves for what happens after we speak our truth?
Expect the unexpected. Speaking your truth is empowering and feels freeing, however don’t expect the same reaction from those around you. Two people can have a totally different perspective of the same situation and it’s based on their own life experiences. Our childhood upbringing, traumas, and life story affect how we carry ourselves and make decisions. Some may applaud you while others may judge you. Some family and friends will lean in and support while some may step back and watch from afar. The reactions of others is not your burden. When you are no longer the mold of what your community recognizes you as, it can be difficult for some to hear your truth because the comfort of who you once were is no longer there. Your truth may trigger some to face deep personal things of their own that they are not ready to. Be ready to accept the space they are in and allow your healing journey to peacefully move forward. Be OK with being misunderstood, with being judged, and letting go of some relationships. Surrender to the fact that your truth brings in authenticity and opens new doors for new experiences. Be ready to start stepping through those doors.
What are the benefits of speaking your truth and moving out of the fear?
Letting go of fear and speaking your truth means freedom. There’s no way to describe the feeling. Speaking your truth opens the door to LIVING your truth. Fear keeps us locked in our internal prison and prevents us from exploring all the parts of ourselves. Once you let go of all the false stories you created around it, you give yourself the key to living your best life. There is so much magic in the unknown and a new energy that comes to life. You physically feel better, emotionally feel aligned, and experience the world in the way you were meant to. There’s an excitement to begin a new story and walk a path that leads right back to you!
Tricia Brouk, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tricia Brouk helps high-performing professionals transform into industry thought leaders through the power of authentic storytelling. With her experience as an award-winning director, producer, sought after speaker, and mentor to countless thought-leaders, Tricia has put thousands of speakers onto big stages globally. She produced TEDxLincolnSquare in New York City and is the founder of The Big Talk Academy. Tricia’s book, The Influential Voice: Saying What You Mean for Lasting Legacy, was a 1 New Release on Amazon in December 2020. Big Stages, the documentary featuring her work with speakers premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival in October of 2023 and her most recent love is the new publishing house she founded, The Big Talk Press.
