Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bharath kumar Arekapudi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bharath kumar, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

Traditional mental health care approaches, while commendable for their contributions, encounter significant limitations that warrant scrutiny. Accessibility remains a pervasive challenge, with many individuals facing barriers to seeking and receiving timely care. Stigma continues to cast a shadow, dissuading individuals from seeking help due to fear of judgment or societal repercussions. Moreover, conventional mental health care often adopts a reactive stance, addressing issues after they have escalated.
Amid the formidable challenges posed by traditional mental health care approaches, have introduced the groundbreaking concept—the Shift Left approach. Originating from the dynamic realm of Information Technology (IT), this term symbolizes a departure from reactive strategies and a bold leap towards proactive and preventive measures. Drawing parallels from the IT context, where the Shift Left principle emphasizes early intervention in the software development life cycle to identify and rectify issues before they escalate, this approach transforms the landscape of mental health care. This innovative approach challenges the conventional reactive stance of mental health care by urging practitioners, policymakers, and communities to act preemptively.
Statistics reveal a compelling narrative about the efficacy of prevention and early intervention in mental health. According to a comprehensive study conducted by the World Mental Health Organization (WMHO), an authoritative source in mental health research, a striking 70% of mental health crises can be averted through timely measures. These numbers form the bedrock of the Shift Left approach, providing empirical evidence that intervention at the earliest stages of mental health challenges can be a game-changer.

While understanding the “why” behind a proactive approach is crucial, the real magic lies in the “how.” This is where I introduced the Mind Fitness Through IT Strategies framework. The Mind Fitness through IT strategy, pioneered by me, seamlessly aligns with this approach, providing a proactive framework for fostering mental well-being in the workplace by equipping individuals with the necessary tools and mindset. Imagine applying the principles that empower a successful IT project to your mental well-being journey. This is the core concept behind Mind Fitness Through IT Strategies. I have taken the familiar IT concepts and transformed them into powerful tools for building resilience, managing stress, and cultivating self-awareness.

We have few companies who have adopted this framework for their employees and they have seen great results in terms of the teams productivity, reduced absenteeism and overall well being of the employees. This was mainly down to the ease of adoption of the tools as they were part of their DNA , making it tangible and delivering results.

Bharath kumar, 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?

Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, I initially enjoyed a familiar and comfortable childhood surrounded by cherished friendships. However, circumstances led to a relocation within South India, presenting numerous challenges as I adjusted to a new language and educational system. With the compassionate support of a principal, I caught up on years of curriculum in a short time, fostering resilience and adaptability. Despite the transient nature of our housing situation, I continued to navigate new environments, forming connections and honing my positive and forward-looking nature.
Through various ups and downs, including financial difficulties and personal setbacks, I persevered with unwavering determination. The journey took me from Pune, India to Dublin, Ireland, where I encountered new obstacles and emotional struggles. Nevertheless, I embraced change and established a fulfilling life, getting involved in community initiatives that attracted thousands of participants
With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry and a strong educational background including an engineering degree, Masters in project management, and an MBA in strategy, I have honed a deep understanding of the industry landscape. Complementing this expertise, I have also pursued certifications in NLP and Reiki, delving into holistic approaches to mental health. This diverse background has paved the way for the development of the Shift Left strategy, focusing on the intersection of IT strategies and mental fitness.
Throughout my journey, I realized my passion for helping others, offering guidance, coaching, and mentoring. I thrive on the mission to unite people and help them discover the true essence of their passions, even those they may have not yet identified. Grounded in my own life experiences and my natural intuitive skills, I developed the Shift Left coaching model, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. I am driven by the belief in taking action and continuous personal growth.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After working in IT for over 20 years, I decided to make a significant career pivot into coaching. This transition was challenging, but I approached it strategically by leveraging my IT expertise. A key point of connection was developing the shift-left framework and incorporating Mindfitness through IT strategies, which helped bridge my technical background with my new coaching role.

The shift-left framework, which focuses on addressing issues early in the development process to improve efficiency and outcomes, became a foundational element of my coaching approach. I applied this principle to help clients proactively manage challenges and optimize their performance.

Additionally, I developed the concept of Mindfitness through IT strategies, combining my technical knowledge with mental well-being techniques. This holistic approach resonated with clients, as it offered practical strategies to enhance both their professional and personal lives.

By building on what I was already strong at and integrating new coaching methodologies, I gained credibility and confidence in my new role. This strategic pivot allowed me to create a unique coaching practice that effectively blended my IT background with innovative coaching techniques, making a meaningful impact on my clients’ lives.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, I enjoyed a familiar and comfortable childhood surrounded by cherished friendships. However, circumstances led to a relocation within South India, where I faced numerous challenges adapting to a new language and educational system. With the compassionate support of a principal, I managed to catch up on years of curriculum in a short time, fostering my resilience and adaptability.

Despite the transient nature of our housing situation, I continued to navigate new environments, forming connections and maintaining a positive, forward-looking attitude. Through various ups and downs, including financial difficulties and personal setbacks, I persevered with unwavering determination.

My journey took me from Pune, India, to Dublin, Ireland, where I encountered new obstacles and emotional struggles. Embracing change, I established a fulfilling life and became involved in community initiatives that attracted thousands of participants.

With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry and a strong educational background, including an engineering degree, a Master’s in project management, and an MBA in strategy, I have honed a deep understanding of the industry landscape. Complementing this expertise, I pursued certifications in NLP and Reiki, exploring holistic approaches to mental health. This diverse background paved the way for the development of the Shift Left strategy, which focuses on the intersection of IT strategies and mental fitness.

Throughout my life, I have demonstrated resilience by adapting to new environments, overcoming personal and professional challenges, and continuously striving for growth and improvement. This resilience has been instrumental in shaping my career and personal journey, allowing me to make a meaningful impact in the IT industry and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shiftleftcc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftleftcoaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bharath-kumar-arekapudi/