Living life with Gratitude
Passionate about sustainability and wellness, for Supriya Shirsat Satam, launching a sustainable fashion brand, FOReT, seemed a natural course in her life. With a vision to promote eco-friendly and vegan products, her deepseated belief that our personal choices have a profound impact on the environment, propelled her to pursue her passion for sustainability and fashion. With FOReT, Supriya successfully built a voice for elegant plant-based fashion that empowers rural artisans and promotes local crafts. She designs jewellery and fashion accessories from trees and reimagines them to give a new identity that is sophisticated and beautiful. Supriya talks to Corporate Citizen about her wellness philosophy and how she maintains holistic health
Corporate Citizen: What is your philosophy on fitness/wellness?
Supriya Shirsat Satam: I firmly believe in the holistic approach to fitness and wellness. To me, this means creating a beautiful balance that is built on the development of our physical, mental and emotional wellness.
While physical fitness is most talked of, it is equally important to imbibe self reflection practices such as being mindful, and being aware of ourselves and our reaction to the surrounding. Our emotional well-being reflects in nurturing healthy relationships and having a positive attitude in life.
I also believe in continuously learning and having a deeper purpose in life to create a healthy outlook towards life.
CC: Your mantra about keeping fit?
My approach to fitness is centred around maintaining a regular physical activity routine and following a well-balanced nutrition plan. For me, this means taking time to exercise and being consistent.
In terms of nutrition, I believe in eating simple home cooked meals. I also make a conscious effort to limit my intake of sugar and other refined carbohydrates.
CC: What keeps you fit and healthy?
I have been devoted to practicing yoga for 15+ years, and I firmly believe that along with the physical Asanas, meditation and emotional well-being are also essential components for achieving balance and harmony in life.
Every morning, I begin my day by expressing gratitude and reflecting on ways to continuously improve myself. This helps me to stay centred and focused, even when life gets busy or stressful. I find that maintaining a positive mindset and staying open to learning new things is crucial for my overall well- being. By seeking out new information and experiences, we can expand our horizons and discover new paths for growth and fulfilment.
CC: How do you like to rejuvenate and recharge?
By making a conscious effort to engage in activities that bring me joy and by nurturing my relationships with those around me, I am able to maintain a sense of balance and harmony in my life. I always take out time to pursue my hobbies and find this to be therapeutic and meditative. I believe that taking time to prioritize self-care is also crucial in today’s fast-paced and often stressful world.
CC: Do you play any game which helps you in your work?
Supriya Shirsat Satam
Yoga has been an integral part of my journey towards physical fitness and overall well-being. Through the practice of Asanas, I have learned the importance of building a strong foundation in order to achieve balance and harmony in both body and mind. By focusing on securing my foundation and then expanding my movements and postures, I have found a similar principle that can be applied to other areas of life.
In the world of work, for example, building a strong foundation is essential for success. This means creating the right ecosystem with the right products, team and partners. By establishing a solid foundation, we can then move forward with confidence and tackle any challenges that come our way.
Similarly, in life, our foundation is our family and friends. It is important to take time out to nurture our relationships as they provide the support and strength that we need to navigate the ups and downs of life.
CC: What is your food philosophy?
I truly believe that you are what you eat. Food should not only nourish our body but also our soul. If any food item causes discomfort, it is wise to limit its intake. I prefer consuming home cooked food that is suited to my palate and my gut. I enjoy broadening my culinary horizons by exploring diverse cuisines.
CC: Your exercise fundamentals?
I engage in a well-rounded fitness routine that incorporates Yoga and pilates three times per week. During these sessions, I focus on strengthening my core while also incorporating meditation to enhance my mental well-being. I utilise various props during my yoga practice, including blocks, sticks, ropes, and dumbbells, to challenge and push myself. Additionally, I occasionally incorporate Chakra cleansing techniques into my routine to further improve my overall health and vitality.
CC: What message you would like to give to youngsters on time management?
Time is a precious resource that we all have in equal measure. To make the most of it, it is essential to compartmentalise your time and be mindful of how you spend it.
Pursue your hobbies and interests regularly as it helps you to rejuvenate and improve your focus and attention in other areas.
Do not give in to temptations and be lured by peer-pressure. Remember that you are the master of your life. Identify and build on your strengths and remember to chart your own journey. By doing so, you will find your unique path to success and fulfilment.
CC: How has your journey been?
My professional journey has been an exhilarating one, driven by my passion for tackling challenges and exploring new avenues. I made the bold decision to leave my successful corporate career of over a decade to pursue my passion for sustainability and environmental causes. As the first brand in India to introduce designer jewellery and accessories made from Cork, a plant-based material, we faced numerous obstacles in building a reliable supply chain and sourcing the right materials. When we started out, sustainability was not yet a priority, and raising awareness and building the product was a significant challenge. Despite the difficulties, I remained committed to my vision.
Time is a precious resource that we all have in equal measure. To make the most of it, it is essential to compartmentalise your time and be mindful of how you spend it.
-Supriya Shirsat Satam
CC: What is your philosophy of work?
My work philosophy is centred around working diligently towards professional goals while also prioritising personal growth and development. I believe that success is not just about achieving career milestones, but also about finding a balance between work and personal life. Therefore, I make a conscious effort to pursue my personal goals outside of work and give them the attention they deserve. By doing so, I am able to maintain a sense of purpose and fulfilment in all areas of my life.
CC: Five tips to maintain Work-Life Balance
Compartmentalise: Set clear boundaries between work and personal time. This may include taking breaks to focus on personal activities or digital detox for some time during the day
Plan: Make a list of personal and professional tasks and obligations and focus on the most important ones first and maintain a balance with the other
Practice self-care routines: Build yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. This may include developing a sleep routine, exercise, self-care and eating a healthy diet. Make time for meditation and self-reflection.
Learn to say no: Do not take on more than you can handle. It is okay to say no to additional work or social obligations that you may not be able to commit to.
Reset and Energise: Make sure to park time for leisure activities and hobbies that you enjoy. Do invest your time in spending time with your family and friends. This will help you recharge and spring back with more vigour.
CC: What is the secret of your success?
I possess resilience and am tenacious and believe in taking well-calculated risks. I also believe that one must continuously seek improvement and consider setbacks as unexplored opportunities.
CC: Where do we see you 10 years from now?
We have a set of milestones to achieve professionally and in 10 years, we would have developed a platform that resonates with our vision. On a personal level, I have set specific goals for myself to accomplish for the betterment of my family members, and I intend to pursue them relentlessly.
CC: What dreams remain to be fulfilled?
My bucket list is long and varied. I am still working on building my sustainable and vegan brand and there are quite a few milestones I have set to achieve.
On a personal level, there are many destinations in our country and around the world that I am eager to explore and discover. Additionally, I have a strong desire to develop my artistic abilities in dance, music, art and crafts that are part of my list. I have some important goals to achieve for my family and for a higher purpose.