Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Sharmine

Sharmine shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Sharmine, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about many of my private ESL adult students is that they’re often simply looking for someone to talk to while practicing English. While lessons may begin with a focus on grammar or vocabulary, they often evolve into open, personal conversations about everyday life.

Since many of my students are new to Los Angeles and have few personal connections, they gradually open up and share their experiences and challenges. I’m not a counselor, but I listen with empathy and offer support where I can, then gently steer us back to practical English when the time feels right.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run a small private ESL (English as a Second Language) school in Torrance called English Park. Many of our students are temporary workers from other countries looking to improve their English for business, and we also teach their spouses and children. Our school operates throughout the day: spouses attend in the morning, children come after school, and professionals take evening classes.

What sets us apart is our personalized approach. Each lesson is tailored to the student’s level and goals. We’ve also published a series of simplified American novels for ESL learners, available on Amazon under the title “Study English with American Classics.”

Another unique feature of our school is how we extend learning beyond the classroom. We organize local outings to help students explore the city and engage with native speakers. One personal touch I add is inviting students to performances by my 80s cover band, The New Originals! These outings offer a fun way to visit local venues, hear classic American rock, and practice listening to natural, fast-paced English in a real-world setting.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My interactions with the people around me, whether from work, school, band, my Buddhist group, family, or friends, have shaped how I see myself. I’m one of those people who wears many different hats through my roles.

Earlier in my life, I struggled to understand who I really was. I felt the need to adjust my personality to suit my surroundings. I would present myself as a disciplined and responsible teacher around my students, humorous and slightly cynical around my friends, and positive and cheerful around my fellow Buddhist members. I am all of those things, and we’re all complex beings, but sometimes it gave me a sense of impostor syndrome.

As I got older, I grew more determined to present myself consistently and to be mindful of the impact I might have on those around me. What type of influence am I making? I obviously prefer to be a positive presence, so I gradually let go of worrying how others see me and focused on simply being myself.

It took time to become truly comfortable. These days I’m able to engage in more genuine interactions with people around me and appreciate the complexity of being me.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Life was tough during the first 10 years after moving to LA from Japan. Without burdening you with the details, I’ll just say that being in a marriage that wasn’t working nearly destroyed me. I was the kind of person who desperately wanted to make it work. I was sticking around, hoping my partner would change. Looking back, I realize that was wishful thinking. In the end, I was the one who needed to change.

When we hit rock bottom and were practically homeless, I turned to my Buddhist practice to overcome what felt like the greatest challenge of my life. I chanted every morning and night, trying to muster the courage to change my mindset, my actions, and my life. I also chanted for both of us to find happiness, even if that meant going our separate ways. We persevered and moved forward. Eventually, we divorced.

It’s been a few years, and when I look back on that time it almost feels unreal. I now have a much more stable life and am happily engaged to my fiancé. Still, I feel deep appreciation for what I went through and wouldn’t change a thing. It made me a much stronger person. I also know that my ex is in a much better place, and that the decision was the right one for both of us.

That experience taught me something profound: no matter what happens, as long as you don’t give up and accept that you need to change for life to change, things will move toward a better place.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Besides teaching and managing an ESL school, I’m also the lead singer of an 80s band called “The New Originals.” I’m so grateful for my bandmates’ dedication, especially our band leader and manager, Ben Lichtman, who brought the group together. I have become good friends with my co-singers, and we have an absolute blast at every show.

I am deeply committed to helping make this band one of the best cover bands in the world, and I truly feel I am with the right people to make that happen. I like to think our band brings joy to our audience, getting them on their feet to dance. The connections we create through music are incredibly special to me. It has taken us a few years to get to where we are, and I’m excited to see where our journey will take us. It’s always a highlight when my ESL students show up at our gigs and get into the spirit of timeless 70s and 80s rock and roll!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m chanting. This is the time I reflect on my actions, appreciate all the things in my life—the good and the bad—and consider what I need to do to achieve my goals. It may not be the typical image of peace, like standing on top of a mountain in a yoga pose, but for me facing and accepting reality and thinking about the next steps puts me at ease. Knowing I’m able to think forward brings me hope and a sense of balance, no matter how challenging life is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.englishpark.us/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neworiginalsband/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewOriginalsBand
• Other: ESL Simplified Novels: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLT8R6J1?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_sft_tpbk_tkin&qid=1758832695&sr=8-1

  Buddhism: https://buddhability.org/