We recently connected with Ashmeeta Rama Madhav and have shared our conversation below.
Ashmeeta, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The mission of Growth StoryHub, which focuses on opening discussions about death and its effects on our lives, is deeply personal to me. I experienced the unexpected loss of my mother 15 years ago, and later, my husband’s battle with pancreatic cancer and my father’s sudden passing. These experiences exposed me to the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies grief.
These challenges pushed me to transform my pain into a source of learning and positivity. I realized that I needed to be the change I wanted to see in the world. Through Growth StoryHub, I aim to create a platform where people can openly discuss and normalize the topic of death. We want to offer a resource and a safe space where those who have lost loved ones can share their insights on how they’d like to be supported, while those who haven’t can offer their perspectives.
The mission is meaningful to me because it stems from my personal journey of turning grief into growth. I want to ensure that others facing similar struggles don’t feel alienated or excluded due to society’s discomfort with discussing death. Growth StoryHub is my way of promoting understanding, empathy, and healing in the face of loss.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
In a world where personal growth often emerges from adversity, my journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience and self-discovery. It has led me down a path to become a grief support advocate with a clear mission: to help individuals Embrace, Empower, and Evolve through the profound process of grief and loss.
My introduction to the realm of grief and well-being has deep roots in my personal experiences, which propelled me on a journey toward healing and empowerment. During a period marked by intense stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, I found myself exploring the potential of self-help resources, therapy, meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques. These tools became my allies, not only supporting my personal growth but also sparking a deep-seated interest in mental health while coping with grief. This newfound passion compelled me to dedicate my life to making a positive impact in this field.
Today, I offer a diverse range of services aimed at fostering mental health and personal development. Through thought-provoking articles, educational content, mentoring, and soon-to-come comprehensive online courses, I delve into a wide spectrum of topics including self-care, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and more. Additionally, I provide personalized coaching, offering tailored guidance for individuals navigating the complex terrain of improved mental and emotional well-being, especially in the aftermath of losing a loved one.
What sets my approach apart is an unwavering commitment to evidence-based practices and a holistic view of mental health. I believe in the power of integrating traditional therapeutic methods with modern technology, making these invaluable resources accessible to individuals from diverse walks of life. The transformations I witness in my clients, thanks to my content and services, serve as a powerful testament to my unwavering dedication and impact.
My journey, however, extends beyond my professional pursuits. As a mother of three incredible children, my personal commitment to advocating for healthy kids’ mental health runs deep. My extensive background in Early Childhood Education, spanning across continents, has solidified my expertise in early childhood development and fueled my advocacy. In addition, I’ve ventured into entrepreneurship, expanding my horizons even further.
Yet, my journey isn’t defined solely by expertise or professional accomplishments. It’s marked by personal trials and tribulations that encompassed miscarriage, divorce, rejection, loss, and grief. These experiences became the crucible for my own transformation, shaping me into the inspiring individual I am today. This transformation ignited my fervent advocacy for embracing personal growth through self-discovery as the bedrock for navigating the complexities of life.
My memoir, “What’s Your Story?”, eloquently chronicles my extraordinary transformation journey, underscoring the profound significance of forgiveness, understanding, appreciation, and self-love. In a society often dominated by adversity, my story is a testament to the idea that, regardless of circumstances, individuals possess the innate capacity to reshape their lives by acknowledging their current state and nurturing their personal growth.
This unyielding commitment to growth has led me to establish Growth StoryHub, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals grappling with various forms of loss. As a grief support advocate, my primary goal is to assist people in Embracing, Empowering, and Evolving in the face of grief and loss. Our mission is guided by a powerful mantra that encourages embracing death as an integral part of life’s journey. This act liberates individuals from the fear that often holds them captive. Through empowerment, individuals are inspired to lead authentic lives, leaving behind positive legacies and deepening connections with loved ones. On a collective level, fostering open discussions about death cultivates a community that evolves through greater acceptance and understanding.
Death, as a universal experience, transcends the boundaries of culture, age, and status. By drawing wisdom from diverse cultures and philosophical perspectives, we can learn to embrace our mortality. My journey is a reminder that death need not be feared; instead, it can serve as a catalyst for cherishing the beauty of existence, the depth of relationships, and the significance of our shared human experience. In contemplating death, we unlock the power to embrace, empower, and evolve with reason and compassion.
My story stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for transformation. It exemplifies the belief that, by embracing the complexities of life, we can truly evolve as individuals and as a community. My legacy is one of empowerment, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, and I invite you to join me on this journey of growth and healing.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments in my life was the loss of my mother, who was not only a parent but also my best friend. Her presence meant the world to me, and her passing left an immense void in my life. I missed her for countless reasons, but what I missed most was having her by my side, always there to support me.
Life had already presented me with the challenge of adapting to new cultures and ways of life as my husband and I moved first to the UK and then to the USA during our 23-year marriage. One of the greatest hurdles we faced in these transitions was building a consistent support system in a foreign land. It was a daunting task to find the kind of unwavering support my mother had always provided.
However, the most profound test of my resilience came when my husband faced the relentless battle against pancreatic cancer. As his health deteriorated, I witnessed my once-happy family’s life shatter over the course of mere months. While being a devoted wife and mother to our three young children, I had to navigate the pain of witnessing my husband’s suffering.
After his passing, I was left to pick up the shattered pieces of my life and somehow forge something positive from the wreckage. It was a work in progress, a journey of rebuilding that I continue to navigate. Amidst the grief and loss, I clung to the belief in hope and love.
Adding to the complexity of my situation, just five months after my husband’s passing, the world was plunged into the COVID-19 pandemic. This global crisis made it even more challenging to find the support I needed during a time when I felt most vulnerable.
In the aftermath of losing my husband, I found myself thrust into a role where I had to manage every aspect of our lives, including areas I had never taken an interest in before. I was forced to grow and learn rapidly, often seeking answers and guidance.
But the true test of resilience came when my dad unexpectedly passed away in May of 2023, following a fall. The sorrow that accompanies the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming, and it threatens to disable me entirely. Yet, I discovered that by working with my mind and thoughts, I could begin to cope with these immense challenges. I learned to take things one step at a time, find the strength to move forward and adapt to a new normal for both me and my children.
This journey has been a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It has shown me that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity, there is a wellspring of inner strength that can be tapped into. By nurturing my mind and embracing a mindset of growth and learning, I have found the hope to carry on and the capacity to rebuild my life, piece by piece.
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 lesson I had to unlearn was the deeply ingrained belief I adopted while growing up, a belief that dictated that I needed to conform to a certain mold to gain acceptance and respect within my community. I learned early on that if I didn’t fit into a particular shape that the majority of my community adhered to, I risked being subtly shunned, ridiculed behind my back, not taken seriously, and ultimately devalued in the eyes of the community.
This belief system was instilled in me as I navigated the complexities of human interactions and observed how others interacted within the culture. The constant message was clear: I wasn’t good enough unless I achieved a high level of education or accomplished something that set me apart from the rest. It’s a narrative that clung to me like a shadow, eroding my self-esteem and leaving me feeling perpetually inadequate.
It wasn’t until I embarked on a journey of self-acceptance and began to tend to both my inner and outer worlds with intentionality that I started to break free from the confines of this limiting belief. I realized that life is fundamentally about growth and evolution, a continuous process of self-improvement and personal development. Holding onto outdated beliefs that hindered my progress was counterproductive to this essential journey.
This unlearning process required a significant shift in my mindset and a commitment to self-discovery. It meant recognizing that my worth wasn’t solely determined by external achievements or conformity to societal norms. Instead, it was about embracing my uniqueness, valuing my intrinsic qualities, and understanding that my journey was distinct and valid, regardless of whether it followed a conventional path.
As I began to shed the layers of self-doubt and the limiting beliefs, I discovered the power of authenticity and self-compassion. I understood that growth and evolution weren’t about meeting others’ expectations but about aligning with my own values and aspirations.
In essence, I unlearned the notion that I had to fit into a predetermined mold to find acceptance and respect. I learned that the true path to personal growth and fulfillment lies in embracing who I am, valuing my individuality, and continuously evolving in pursuit of a better quality of life. It’s a lesson I carry with me as a reminder that the journey of life is a deeply personal one, and my worth is intrinsic, not conditional upon external validation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.storyoutellyourself.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/growthstoryhub?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowthStoryHub/
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ashmeeta-madhav-93802922
- Twitter: @Growthstoryhub
- Other: Website:- www.storyoutellyourself.com Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/GrowthStoryHub/ Twitter:- @Growthstoryhub linkedin.com/in/ashmeeta-madhav-93802922 URL for book https://www.amazon.com/s?k=whats+your+story+%231+way+to+create+a+new+reality+with+your+thinking&crid=L3RLN6WTTGJI&sprefix=whats+your+story+1+way+to+create+a+new+reality+with+your+thinking%2Caps%2C151&ref=nb_sb_noss
Image Credits
Personal Photo by Rachel Rausch Photography All family photos by Ashmeeta Madhav 3D Book Cover Image by BookCoverArtist.com