Meet Nahrin Chowdhury | Education Leader & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nahrin Chowdhury and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nahrin, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Reflecting on my journey, the younger version of myself would have been shocked to see the fearless risk-taker I have become. Life’s unexpected twists and turns have profoundly transformed my perspective on embracing risks. I grew up in a nice suburban area in New York, raised lovingly by parents who took the ultimate leap by immigrating from Bangladesh in the 1970s. Their experiences, including surviving through wartime, were vastly different from the life they would provide for my sister and me in the United States. They left their families behind to seek opportunities for our future and ensured my sister and I never experienced any feelings of apprehension. They provided us with a loving, safe home where risk was a foreign concept. We went to school, had extracurricular activities, went on family vacations, and never dared to break any rules.

The first significant risk I took was a career pivot. In my culture, the acceptable professions are limited to doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, and engineers. I was on a trajectory towards becoming a pharmacist, although my passion was for the field of education. Transitioning careers posed a huge challenge as it marked the first time I defied any rules and expectations. I used my courage to follow my heart, despite the disapproval of my family and my community.
As I navigated this new career, I realized I made the right decision. Life was falling into place, and the risks I had taken proved to be worthwhile. I not only had a career I was passionate about, but I was also in what seemed to be the perfect marriage. However, life has its own agenda, and my marriage started unraveling. The toxicity left me with a choice: to risk my physical and mental well-being and remain in my relationship, or to risk venturing into an unknown territory by seeking divorce, a path that ran counter to my cultural norms.

My divorce was long and messy. I was raised with a belief system that you grow up, have the right career, get married, have a house, kids and live happily ever after. I had already steered away from the appropriate career path and now I was challenging my own belief system with this risky decision. What would happen if I got divorced? Where would I go and where would I live? Would I be accepted in my family and community? Would I ever get married and have a family? How would I start over? Was it worth risking all these unknowns for what was comfortable, even if it was unhealthy? Many people tried to convince me to change my mind. It wasn’t appropriate for a Bengali woman to behave this way and within our cultural norms, I was the source of blame as the woman. This wasn’t an easy path but I knew inside me the risk would be worth it.

It seemed like leaving my marriage set me on a course where I continuously encountered situations demanding further risks. When the attorneys I had retained proved untrustworthy, I took a monument risk. I filed legal forms, studied legal texts, and represented myself in the New York Supreme Court, where my divorce proceedings had escalated to a trial. A math teacher turned into a makeshift lawyer in a real courtroom. It was a risk with many legal, financial, and future implications but I was willing. And I succeeded!

After that triumph, I believed with my heart that I could conquer anything. My confidence soared. At that time I made a bucket list titled “Cool Sh*t to Do”, which I still keep in my phone today. This is filled with big and small aspirations, ranging from food to try, sports, and travel. Each week, I checked off something new from my list.

My thrilling adventures not only posed risks but also brought incredible joy and enabled me to accomplish the unimaginable. I discovered a love for boxing, which now holds a significant place in my life. One of my most memorable experiences involved stepping into the ring and taking a punch to the stomach from a man twice my size. The feeling of exhilaration far outweighed any physical pain. I have traveled to South Africa alone, spending a week on safari where I encountered a lion family face to face. I even flew an airplane above the Miami skies. And I have found the finest coffee and cookies from all my tasting ventures. With this adventurous lifestyle, it came as no surprise that I embraced the risk of relocating to Los Angeles for a job, despite never having visited the city and not knowing anyone there.

My most recent endeavors have focused on entrepreneurship. Despite not having a formal business background, I embarked on a journey of self-education to expand my capacity. I established Unstressified, LLC, with a mission to empower individuals to manage stress and cultivate balanced, healthy lives. The learning curve was steep, but with the invaluable support of others and my own resourcefulness, the experience has been enriching.

Recently, I founded a second company, Fit and Flirty. This innovative concierge service caters to fitness-conscious couples seeking active and health-oriented activities conducive to bonding. While I continue to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and acknowledge the work that lies ahead, I am committed to progress. It is undoubtedly a risk, but one that aligns with my passion and purpose, a challenge I approach with confidence.

Was I a natural-born risk-taker? Certainly not. Did I aspire to become one? Not at all. The younger me sought safety, security, and the predictability of a well-defined path. Change, uncertainty, and the unknown was unsettling. However, the challenges life presented forced me to evolve into a fearless risk-taker. I encountered situations that demanded discomfort, pushing me to grow, learn, and challenge my own perspectives. I had no alternative but to embrace risks. Today, I view them as gifts and opportunities for self-discovery, both internally and externally. The present version of me eagerly embraces risk, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in times of uncertainty. I am now a woman characterized as adventurous, strong, confident, open-minded, curious, and resilient.

The desire to take risks was not innate or something I actively pursued. It was a calling—a summons to explore the limitless possibilities of personal growth and worldly adventures. The universe ensured that I embraced risk-taking and actively participated in life, rather than merely occupying a safe backseat and letting life live me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Unstressified is a stress management coaching and consulting company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations find relief from the burdens of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. We recognize that stress is a natural part of life, but we also believe it can be effectively managed with the right tools and strategies. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations with our expert guidance, results-driven techniques, and personalized support. What sets us apart is our commitment to tailoring our services to meet the unique needs of each client. Our aim is not to disrupt their daily routines with additional tasks but to enhance their day-to-day lives with practical tools for improved stress management. This can take various forms, from time management to mindset shifts, nutrition, mindfulness, and meditation. We adopt a holistic approach that is personalized and employs practical techniques for long-term, sustainable transformations—ideal for busy individuals. My personal journey led me to recognize the significant role that stress can play in our professional and personal lives. While living in New York, I thrived on the vibrant hustle and bustle of city life consisting of long work hours, graduate school, side jobs, fitness routines, a social life, and more. However, I was experiencing stress-related symptoms like headaches and stomachaches. This prompted me to explore effective coping mechanisms. It was when I moved to Los Angeles that I discovered the remarkable benefits of wellness practices. Impressed by their profound impact on my own life, I made the decision to become a certified practitioner in stress management, mindfulness, and meditation through Harvard University.
By merging my educational background with this newfound expertise, I developed The Unstressified Method—a science-based approach to stress management tailored to the specific needs of each individual and organization I have the privilege of working with.
My ultimate passion is to inspire and empower individuals to unlock their full potential and effect positive, sustainable change in the world. This commitment is reflected in nearly two decades of serving as an education professional in both New York and Los Angeles. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of teaching mathematics, assuming leadership roles in schools, and driving transformative change in underserved educational settings. My dedication to understanding diverse learning styles, mastering effective coaching methodologies, and addressing social-emotional needs has consistently led to remarkable results. These experiences and expertise have played pivotal roles in shaping my journey as a stress management coach and consultant, leading to the launch of Unstressified.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I frequently welcome visitors from New York, and I love playing tour guide now that I’ve called Los Angeles home for four years. A beach day is a must, with a walk on the boardwalk. A stroll through the Venice canals, a scenic bike ride with ocean views, and a meal on Abbot Kinney would be perfect. The day must end with a California sunset on the beach—my personal favorite part of living here.

I would also take visitors to nice tourist spots, including the Getty Museum in Malibu, the Griffith Observatory, as well as rooftops, pools, and water activities such as paddleboarding or boat rides. We would get great food at some of my favorite restaurants like Olivetta or Catch.

But I always tell my guests that no visit would be complete without delicious LA tacos and donuts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My heartfelt shoutout goes out to my father. His support has been not only evident in his words but also in his actions and his consistent presence in my life. From the time I was a young girl, he dedicated himself to spending quality moments with me, going over my homework every night, and ensuring I had everything I needed.. More importantly, he instilled in me the incredible values that transcend all else — the significance of our character, how we treat others, and the impact we have on the world.

In everything I pursue, from my career, hobbies, or travels, my father goes the extra mile. He does the research on the topics I’m passionate about, and will even write to The New York Times comments and editorials to advocate for equity in education and support of educators. His genuine interest in my pursuits is evident, and he ensures my happiness while providing invaluable guidance on how to infuse goodness into everything I undertake.

Website: www.unstressified.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/unstressified?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahrin-chowdhury-73559b120