Fall seven times, stand up on the eight!
The fast-paced life can easily take a toll on us. However, if you learn to lead a balanced life, managing situations will be a tad bit easy. Mansi Gupta, Founder and CEO of Tjori, an authentic Indian handicrafts provider and a former IBM Senior Corporate Account Manager, believes in having an equilibrium between personal and work-life. By investing her time in learning horse riding, she has created an ideal ecosystem for her career growth. In a conversation with Corporate Citizen magazine, Mansi talks about her love for horse riding, the importance of work-life balance and more
Picture this! A pleasant morning, a clear sky, there is a flat and strong runway ahead of you, your shinny and the sturdy horse is glopping as fast as you can ride, you feel the symphony of the wind gushing past and you are riding astride with complete focus trying to touch the horizon leaving the whole world behind. Sounds serene, right? Well, that is how Mansi loves to rejuvenate – by horse riding. A budding equestrian and a Delhi-based impresario, Mansi has been into horse riding for the past year and that has changed her outlook towards life.
She is someone who always believed in living a sensible life. “Balance is critical for leading a content life. Earlier, I invested my time by going to the gym. In the college days, it was the perfect way to relax and stay in shape. However, in the recent past, due to the hectic schedule, it had become difficult to practise yoga or go to the gym. As a kid, I loved a casual ride on a horse. And since the past year, I have noticed that my love for horse riding has blossomed and indulged in it gives me solace” she said.
FINDING THE EQUILIBRIUM
A level-headed entrepreneur, Mansi gave birth to Tjori with an intent to promote the traditional Indian articrafts. And amidst setting up this business, falling in love with horse-riding all over again was kind of destined, she feels. Mansi began her corporate journey with IBM and over time, she realised her true calling. “Setting up a business is a mammoth task. And while you are handling umpteen things, you forget to attend to yourself. A few months back I started horse riding again and there was no looking back. Weekends are reserved for my passion for riding. And if I can find some time during the weekday, I plan on spending it with the horses,” she said. “I have established this amazing connection with the horses over these past few months. Owing to which riding has become my source of happiness and rejuvenation,” she added.
GALLOPING AHEAD
Mansi is doing more of what she loves which is why when she enters her office, she gives nothing but her best. “I have learnt several important values from horseback riding. The horse is a mighty animal and the kind of dedication, strength, and humility it shows is impeccable. I have not only learnt that, but I have made it a point to implement that during uncertain times,” she said.
Things always don’t work in your favour. And when you fall during any adversity, getting up and learning from it are the only options. “They say that in the times of crisis, a person shows their true character. The grace and resilience by which I can overcome any setback is the courtesy of my love for horse riding. Fall seven times, stand up the eight! I have fallen a couple of times while horse riding out of which four were really bad. Even the fall teaches you a lot. No matter the intensity of the accident, you always learn to bounce back. This sport has given me the ability to recover and grow stronger,” she explained.
She took her love for this sport to the next level when she decided to own a horse. She fondly calls the horse ‘Fire Baby’ and co-owns it with her instructor. Talking about her goals, she said, “I wish to take my business to the new height of success. With that, I hope to excel at horse riding. And more so, I wish to maintain this balance for years to come.” She signed off.