We were lucky to catch up with Zahra Premji recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zahra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve taken was leaving my 20-year career as an occupational therapist, including 16 years in my previous job, to become a Life Coach. I had a stable income, health benefits, summers off, and a pension waiting for me. I worked close to home and had strong relationships with many colleagues. But I was increasingly frustrated, undervalued, and overworked. The lack of purpose and alignment in my job was draining my health, well-being, and relationships. I was constantly stressed, irritable, and exhausted, struggling to keep up with everything.

After months of struggling, combined with personal family stress, I hit burnout. My nervous system took a nosedive, and the anxiety and exhaustion became crippling. My husband encouraged me to take a leave of absence, and during that time, I realized I needed a change. Although I initially considered returning for financial security, an experience with my employer made it crystal clear that I was no longer available for the toxic and emotionally unsafe workplace.

After deep reflection, conversations with my husband, and therapy sessions, I chose to prioritize my mental and emotional health over financial comfort. I resigned and took the leap into a new career as a Life Coach—and I finally feel like I’ve come home to myself. Looking back, I’m grateful for this turning point. I didn’t have the courage to leave on my own, and I now see it as the universe’s nudge to take a leap I wouldn’t have taken otherwise.

Zahra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Zahra Premji, a Life Coach for moms who are tired of running on empty and want to finally make time for what they want—without the guilt. I help moms feel more confident in their decisions and more present with their families, instead of constantly thinking about everything they still need to do.

Before becoming a coach, I spent 20 years as an occupational therapist, with 16 of those years in a job that, on paper, seemed perfect—stable income, great benefits, summers off. But inside, I felt frustrated, undervalued, and disconnected. I knew I was meant for something more, but didn’t have the courage to take the leap. It wasn’t until I hit burnout and experienced a personal crisis that I realized I could no longer stay in a toxic, emotionally unsafe workplace. That was my turning point. I left my career to follow my passion for helping moms navigate life’s challenges, and I’ve never looked back.

As a Life Coach, I help moms create lives they love—without the overwhelm. I work with women who are juggling family, work, and everything in between, helping them prioritize their well-being, set boundaries, and take back control of their time. My approach blends mindset coaching with practical strategies, so my clients don’t just feel better—they actually start making tangible progress toward their goals.

What sets me apart is that I get it. I’ve been there—feeling frazzled, stressed, and stuck in the cycle of giving to others while neglecting myself. I understand the pressure moms face to do it all, and I’m here to help them break free from that. I don’t just teach time management—I show my clients how to prioritize their own needs, make confident decisions, and reclaim their peace of mind. My work is rooted in empathy, and I’m all about creating real, actionable change.

I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve seen in my clients. The moms who’ve gone from burned out and overwhelmed to feeling confident, peaceful, and proud of the lives they’re building. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them take control and confidently make decisions that serve them and their families.

If you’re looking for more balance, less stress, and the courage to put yourself first without guilt, I want you to know it’s possible. You don’t have to stay stuck in a cycle of overwhelm. There’s a way to create time for yourself, show up as the mom you want to be, and pursue your dreams—all without sacrificing what matters most. And I’m here to help you make that happen.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A key lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to do everything on my own, and that asking for help meant I wasn’t strong enough or capable. For years, I believed I should be able to juggle my career, family, and personal life without relying on anyone. I carried much of this weight alone, and it eventually led to burnout.

When I hit my lowest point, I realized that trying to “do it all” wasn’t sustainable. My health, well-being, and relationships were suffering, and I couldn’t keep pushing through. It took a personal crisis and the encouragement of my husband to help me see that needing support didn’t make me weak—it made me human. My family and friends wanted to help, but I had been unwilling to let them in, clinging too tightly to control and wanting things done my way. Learning to ask for and receive help—whether from my family or through therapy and coaching—literally changed my life.

Unlearning this belief allowed me to prioritize my emotional and physical health, set better boundaries, and eventually leave a toxic work environment. Now, I’m sleeping better, I’ve lost weight, I have more energy, and I feel more connected to my kids and husband than ever before. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an act of self-love and a crucial step toward finding balance and peace. This lesson has not only shaped my own journey but also fuels the work I do with other moms, helping them realize they don’t have to do it all alone

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I believe the most important skill I’ve learned for success as a coach is the ability to experience discomfort. Navigating huge life changes, learning new skills and being an entrepreneur all involve facing doubt, fear, embarrassment, uncertainty, and other tough emotions. The key is being willing to experience these feelings without letting them stop me.

I used to avoid discomfort, always seeking things that felt easy and pleasurable. But I realized that this was holding me back from fully declaring what I truly wanted and going after it. Now, I embrace discomfort as a part of growth. I’ve learned to experience failure without letting it define me or make me feel like I’m not enough.

This ability to move through discomfort and keep taking action has been one of the most empowering skills I’ve developed. And it’s something I now teach my clients, with incredible results. It’s changing everything for them too, helping them take bold steps toward the lives they want.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zahrapremji.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahrapremjicoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zahra.premji
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahrapremjicoaching/

Image Credits

Leah Smith Branding