Today we’d like to introduce you to Yashi Carrington

Hi Yashi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

It was a cold Saturday night when I was born…just kidding. Like many of us, the circumstances under which I was born and how I was raised have really shaped the person I have become, both positively and not-so-positively.

My mom was 21 when she had me. She lived a sheltered life, and as the eldest daughter who never did anything wrong, you could imagine the shame and judgement she felt when she became pregnant. To this day, it is hard for her to speak on that time. Nevertheless, she persevered and was determined to have me. Of course, she was unmarried, now starting out in life, and my biological father was not on the scene, so I was essentially raised by my grandparents. I grew up calling my mom by her “home name” and calling my grandma “Ma”. In fact, I still live in my grandparents’ home, my grandmother turned 87 in November 2024 and my grandfather passed away in June 2023.

As the eldest daughter myself and feeling like I was a “mistake”, I developed a penchant for trying to prove myself but also being scared to make mistakes or fail. I excelled at academics and that became my identity. I needed external validation because internally, I felt unworthy. I had a love/hate relationship when people told me I was a “perfect role model” etc. I developed coping mechanisms like feeling guilty for saying no, anxiety, setting impossible standards for myself, negative self-talk and emotional eating. Not only because I thought my worth was in what I accomplished and what I could do for others but also because I felt that sense of responsibility that I HAD to be the one to do it. Everyone would come to me for help, but I would never be comfortable asking for help in return.

On the more positive side hand, I developed a high level of determination that got me to where I am today. I also have so much empathy for others and see the best in them, I would like to think that I even inspire them. It is so ironic how much compassion I showed for others and so little to myself.

A major shift occurred when I had my daughter in 2018. I realised that the negative patterns were generational, and I used my determination to find a better way. There was no way I was going to allow my daughter to struggle with the same self-worth issues as I did.

I started looking into other ways to make an income so that I could be home with her. I started building an online presence by blogging, freelance writing, and then starting a video series on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). The pandemic was strangely a blessing for me where I was able to be with her more and explore these other avenues that were becoming more available virtually. I got myself a coach and learned about rewiring my mindset. It was a such a turning point when I learned that I could change my negative thought patterns. I was so amazed that I trained to become a coach myself since I wanted to help others in the same way. Given that I also am a Zumba® instructor and am managing life with PCOS myself, it was a natural fit to help persons diagnosed with PCOS, so I continued to build resources, host events, and build a community to support persons with PCOS.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

I have had challenges in every which way possible – physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, spiritually and maybe a couple more “allys” I can’t think of right now.

Whether it was my kindness being taken advantage of, my poor self-esteem, anxiety attacks, depression bouts, spiritual abuse, PCOS symptoms or other challenges, I could see the lessons and growth in each circumstance. Over this time, I have learned how to love and value myself, to set boundaries and to be grateful for every moment. It is not a linear journey, and I have low moments but instead of stumbling, I use the bumps as stepping stones.

That being said, the period after losing my grandpa in 2023 felt like the darkest time in my life. He was my first father figure and the closest person I have lost. Imagine seeing someone almost every day for all 37 years of your life and one day he is just gone. It’s a grief that never fully goes away. He was a complex man, but I know he loved us all in his own way. I am so grateful he got to meet his great grandchildren but still grieve that he never got to hold my son.

I was just 2 months postpartum at that time, I was already struggling with those feelings, so this bout of depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I have had depression before in my life but this time, I was so scared that I would never recover. It took a lot of time, support, tools I had gathered over time and new ones I had to employ to recover.

Two things ultimately saved me – (1) My family. I looked at my children every day and knew I had to get better for them, they were my shining lights. My husband was ever so patient with me and allowed me to go through the same spiral, days on end, and was still there to remind me that it was okay. (2) My connection to God. I do not consider myself religious and can be questioning and confused at times, but I have never doubted that God has had my back. We share a unique connection, and my spirit guides are with me always, in the highs and the lows.

Getting back into a groove of purpose and contribution through my PCOS work certainly helped as well. I struggle every now and again with wondering if I am making any impact, if this is what I truly want to do, and if I will ever reach a point where I can have complete freedom. I continue to remind myself that I have the autonomy to build the life I want and that if I can help at least one person, I would have made a ripple effect in the universe.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

My main academic training is in chemical engineering and environmental science and management but currently, I am best known for my efforts to raise awareness about PCOS. My many other hats feed well into this work as a self-dubbed “PCOS Cheerleader”. I have done training in wholeness coaching, trauma-informed coaching and am now in my beginning year of training as a somatic experiencing practitioner, which I am absolutely loving!

I am also a Zumba ® instructor with different licenses including Zumba ® Toning and Strong Nation, which is a HIIT program designed by Zumba. I highlight these two licences as I plan to pursue them even more in future, especially for their PCOS benefits. Zumba® has been a staple in my life since 2013 and it has been a tremendous blessing to my life and health. I have also been a ZCOM volunteer since 2021, which means I am a community builder in the Zumba Instructor Network. It’s a natural gift of mine to make connections and foster great relationships, it comes into play in all my different roles in life. I have also done some training in radio broadcasting and my aspiration is to use my voice on a greater platform.

I am most proud of my resilience. As I shared before, this journey is not easy and some days, I feel like I am so far from the goal post and like I am not making an impact. People see me smiling and think of me as always positive, but I have days when I want to give up and go into hermit mode. Quite honestly, now I think those days are necessary, because you need to recharge. But I always bounce back no matter what. I have God to thank for that and my support system. I also must give kudos to myself for continuously and deliberately seeking the channels to self-growth and self-discovery.

I think what sets me apart from others is my compassion. This is the trait I get complimented on the most. It is easy to cast judgement on others for their choices, but it is more rewarding to take the time to understand why they made those choices. I have made some mistakes in my life, and I could empathise with persons who know they have messed up, taken accountability and grown from it. For me, it is better to think the best of someone until proven otherwise. This is not a justification to ignore your boundaries, but it is always an opportunity to be kind.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?

There are many things that make me happy, but I will identify just a few….

My family. They are my reason why. Everything I am trying to do in this life is so that I can spend more time with them and be more present. My husband is my rock and his patience is unmatched. I might be biased but our children are amazing! They are so smart and have such unique personalities. I can already see that they will be trailblazers. Raising them, especially my daughter, is healing my inner child so much.

Self-development. I think only God truly knows just how far I have come in terms of self-growth. It was not the nicest feeling knowing that in the words of Taylor Swift, “It’s me, hi! I’m the problem, it’s me”. I beat myself up for years for not being perfect and then I would beat myself up for beating myself up. It was a terrible cycle. Today, I get more curious about why I think certain ways or have certain responses. I am continuously seeking to understand myself, learning new tools and then applying them in my life. It will continue until my last day I’m sure, but I am so proud of the woman I am today and am still becoming.

Travelling. I mean need I say more? I want to see the world!

Zumbaaaaaaa!!! This represents so much for me – freedom, self-expression, movement, wellness, sensuality, embodiment, community, inclusivity, love. If you want to feel true happiness, come join me in a Zumba class!

Creating experiences for my loved ones and helping others. This is another big reason I am trying to do so much. It makes me so happy when I can make people’s dreams come true, whether it is my family, friends or strangers. We try to do what we can with what we have but I want to one day be able to do it on a larger scale, and in a way that doesn’t hinder my family. Things like sending a family on a trip, sponsoring someone a full makeover, giving someone a scholarship, investing in someone’s business, etc. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindofyash.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_of_yash/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindofyash
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindofyash2413/featured