Today we’d like to introduce you to Farah Mehdi-Adil.
Hi Farah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m really excited and humbled to share my story on this platform. Thanks LA Voyage for giving me this opportunity.
I grew up as a super chubby kid in south Asian society. Stereotypical desi culture where girls are compared to each other, unhealthy competition. My parents being the sweetest, luckily I never had any confidence issues. However, at 17, an instance at a shopping mall got me to the gym and I transformed myself from an overweight food lover young girl to a size 0 (it was in fashion back then) teenager.
Everyone around me was surprised to see my weight loss journey. I did share my learnings and regrets about my weight loss journey on my podcast. At an early age, I started working in corporate America – was a great experience but after realizing that it wasn’t bringing any meaning to my existence, I quit – after working in it for seven years. I went through major anxiety around the same time when I quit my job with other various personal issues were overwhelming my mind. I had too much on my plate and because I wasn’t wise enough to handle it and shy and close enough to not talk about it, I had my share of suffering. I’ve always been a positive happy go lucky kinda gal and this phase wasn’t helping my original personality. After reading about anxiety, listening to tons of self-help podcasts, putting myself out there, meeting with people, I was highly willing to help myself out. It was a mission and at one point when I felt successful, I decided to help others through my blog dontworrygirlfriend and podcast DontWorryGal. I’m not a great writer but that didn’t stop me from writing, lol. I’m more of a talker and so I love having a podcast.
I really feel each one of us have our own set of challenges and really comparing them and deciding who is more in pain compared to the other is absurd. I then decided to take up work but this time something that brings me joy. I’ve been married to someone, who is also my best friend and a great teacher. I’ve learned so much from him and it really helped me to grow as a person. I think self-growth is extremely essential and although there’s sufficient content available online, there’s not enough self-motivation and willingness. This is an area where my interest lies. Find people who are suffering and help them through it. Bring them out of the dark place and be the reason of peace in their lives. I have helped friends and family and currently, I’m on it. It’s not my profession but I do offer my love and help out of my will to people who I think need it. And what’ surprises me is that it does bring a difference. This was an aspect of what I do. Besides this, I’m also an artist (abstract painting) is my skill. I love animals, specifically cats. I’m a cat mommy to the most sweetest grumpy mr.coco and I love nature, outdoor fun like beach yoga, hiking, beachside book clubs, etc.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hell no!!!! Every phase has been filled with challenges. My biggest struggle was people-pleasing. I wanted to make everyone in the room happy. I struggled with saying no, standing up for myself, letting snippy betties walk all over me, and just in general pleasing people. I didn’t realize how silly and self-harming it was up until I did realize. And I guess that was an old version of myself. Definitely in a good place now.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Blogger – podcast host, and an abstract artist.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I want dontworrygirlfriend to be a brand. A brand that every girl who wants to come out of her dark place willingly should resonate with. I want to provide a space free of judgment where women can speak, discuss and talk with each other honestly and openly. Empowering each other and building a space where everyone wants to belong. That’s the vision of dontworrygirlfriend/ DontWorryGal
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dontworrygirlfriend.com
- Instagram: Dwgf
