🎙️ Podcast: Regaining Your Equilibrium: Should Shouldering the Demands of Your Life Come at a Cost?

Leaders in the “sandwich generation” often carry a silent load: managing teams and businesses, raising children, and caring for aging parents—all while trying to keep their own lives intact. On the outside, they look like powerhouses. Inside? Many feel stretched thin, unseen, and close to breaking.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Aditi Davray, consultant to nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sector organizations and doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy at NYU. She's also a certified Domestic Violence Advocate and was recognized as an Advocate of New York in 2021 by the Mayor's Office to End Gender-Based Violence.

Together, we unpack the toll of nonstop caregiving and leading, and explore how women in particular experience unseen pressures, guilt, and identity shifts during this stage of life.

We also look at how organizations and families can step up, what wellness practices like Ayurveda and mindfulness can offer, and how redefining success can help leaders in the sandwich generation reclaim energy, agency, and fulfillment.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the world for everyone else while quietly putting your own dreams on pause, this conversation is for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• The invisible weight of caregiving & leadership: Why women leaders in the sandwich generation face unique challenges.
• The emotional toll: How guilt, grief, and burnout quietly shape both careers and personal lives.
• Identity shifts: What happens when leadership collides with caregiving and women begin to question their sense of self.
• Ripple effects in the workplace: How silent burnout affects teams, organizations, and culture.
• Pathways to resilience: Small but powerful ways women can prioritize their own well-being without guilt.
• Redefining success: Moving away from “doing it all” toward living fully, sustainably, and with balance.
• The role of holistic practices: How Ayurveda, yoga, and mindfulness can anchor leaders through this demanding life stage.

📣 My friend, if you’re listening and feel seen by today’s conversation, know this: you’re not failing—you’re simply carrying too much. You deserve support, rest, and dreams that don’t have to wait for “someday.”

👉 Share this episode with another woman in your life who’s quietly holding it all together. Start a conversation, and let her know she’s not alone.
👉 For more resources on balance and Ayurvedic wellness for leaders, connect with me on Instagram @swetavikram or visit www.swetavikram.com.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

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Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

Sleep, Success & the Subtle Body—The Nightly Rituals of Grounded Leaders

Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s leadership hygiene. In this episode of The Grounded Leader, host Sweta Vikram unpacks why insomnia is more than a personal struggle—it’s a leadership crisis.

Drawing from both Ayurvedic wisdom and modern science, we explore how poor sleep depletes ojas (your vitality), disrupts your subtle body, and derails your ability to make wise, grounded decisions. You’ll learn why high-achievers are especially vulnerable to vata imbalances that keep the mind racing at night—and how nightly rituals can help restore balance, clarity, and resilience.

🌿 Inside this episode:

• The hidden leadership cost of poor sleep.
• How Ayurveda views sleep as one of the three pillars of life.
• Why “tired but wired” nights signal a deeper imbalance.
• Five grounding rituals leaders can adopt tonight to improve sleep and performance.

Because the world doesn’t need more sleep-deprived leaders running on fumes. It needs rested, intuitive, and radiant ones.

✨ If this episode resonated, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a fellow leader, founder, or entrepreneur who’s been struggling with burnout or sleepless nights.

🌙 Download my Free Rejuvenating Sleep Guide to start your own nightly ritual today.

💌 For personalized Ayurvedic coaching on sleep, stress, and leadership wellness, connect with me directly at swetavikram.com

Until next time—stay rooted. Stay rested. Stay radiant.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

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Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

What happens when a high-achieving entrepreneur hits burnout, questions everything, and decides to rewrite the rules of success?

On today’s episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Paula Routon—a former co-founder of a thriving packaging prototyping business—who courageously walked away from the boardroom and into the healing world of Ayurveda.

Paula’s journey didn’t begin in balance. At the height of her career, she found herself burnt out, unwell, and disconnected. The turning point? Realizing she was living out of alignment. What followed was a courageous unraveling: stepping away from her company, confronting stereotypes and skepticism, silencing her inner critic, and reimagining success on her own terms.

Today, she’s not only an Ayurvedic practitioner but also the creative force behind Ayu Chocolates—a handcrafted Ayurvedic chocolate line tailored to your unique doshic type.

🌟 Key Takeaways

• Burnout is a wake-up call, not a weakness. Paula’s body signaled that something was off long before she admitted it, reminding us that ignoring symptoms only delays healing.
• Success without alignment isn’t sustainable. Even at the peak of her entrepreneurial career, Paula felt disconnected—showing that external achievement doesn’t always equal inner fulfillment.
• Courage means letting go. Walking away from a thriving business took bravery, but it opened the door to a more meaningful and health-centered life.
• Ayurveda can be a turning point. Discovering Ayurvedic wisdom gave Paula tools to reconnect with herself, restore balance, and redefine her path.
• The “messy middle” is part of the process. Healing isn’t linear; unraveling old patterns and facing doubts is part of transformation.
• Inner critics are often louder than external skeptics. Paula shares how silencing her own doubts was harder than confronting others’ opinions.
• Redefining success creates freedom. Today, Paula’s definition of success is rooted in wellness, creativity, and service—not relentless performance.
• Leadership evolves when grounded. With Ayurveda as her foundation, Paula leads and creates from a place of clarity and balance.
• Healing can be joyful (and delicious!). Through Ayu Chocolates, Paula shows that wellness practices don’t have to be rigid—they can be creative and enjoyable.

✨ Ready to ground yourself in wellness over performance?
Tap follow on The Grounded Leader and share this episode with a friend or colleague who’s ready for a more sustainable way to lead.

🍫 Don’t forget to explore Paula’s handcrafted Ayurvedic chocolates at [Ayu Chocolates]—because healing can be delicious too: https://ayuchocolates.etsy.com/

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance, I sit down with April Jarrett, Executive Director at ACDN, who brings over 15 years of experience in operations management and strategic planning. April is a champion of whole-person leadership—one that values balance, self-awareness, and the courage to step away in order to return stronger.

Our conversation centers on why solo trips aren’t just leisure—they’re a vital practice for wellness and leadership success. Through an Ayurvedic and holistic lens, we explore how solitude and changing environments foster mental clarity, stress relief, resilience, and creativity.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Solitude fuels leadership: Solo travel allows leaders to step away from constant connectivity and return with renewed clarity and vision.
• Ayurvedic perspective: Aligning with natural rhythms during travel supports balance, creativity, and emotional regulation.
• Mindset shift: Solo trips should be reframed not as indulgence, but as an investment in leadership and well-being.
• Practical insights: April shares stories of how solo journeys helped her reconnect with herself and return as a more grounded and compassionate leader.
• Advice for professionals: Tips on overcoming guilt or hesitation about solo travel and embracing it as a pathway to personal and professional renewal.

📢 If this episode inspired you to rethink wellness and leadership through the lens of solitude, share it with a colleague, friend, or leader in your life who could benefit from the reminder. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode that helps you lead from balance, not burnout.

💡 What about you? Have you ever taken a solo trip that shifted how you show up as a leader? I’d love to hear your story—tag me on social media or drop me a message.

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Full Bio:

April Jarrett carries almost 20 years of experience in operations management and strategic planning, guiding both U.S. and international organizations to thrive with clarity and purpose. She is passionate about building systems, communities, and leaders that are both effective and sustainable.

April’s whole-person approach to leadership emphasizes self-awareness, balance, and the courage to step away in order to return stronger. She believes solo trips are not only a vital practice for personal wellness, but also a powerful tool for cultivating self-confidence, resilience, and vision - qualities she models for her children, her team, and the leaders she mentors.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

Ayurvedic Nutrition for Mental Clarity and Better Decision-Making

If your brain feels foggy by 3 p.m., if you find yourself staring at your fridge wondering why you opened it, or if you’ve been making decisions you later regret—it might not be your willpower at fault. It could be your gut.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore how Ayurvedic nutrition can sharpen your focus, boost your mental clarity, and support smarter, more intuitive decisions. You’ll learn why what’s on your plate directly impacts how you think, lead, and show up in the world—and how simple, intentional changes in your eating habits can transform your leadership capacity.

Whether you’re a high-performing leader, solopreneur, or someone navigating constant decision-making, this episode offers timeless Ayurvedic strategies for nourishing your mind and making better choices.

Key Takeaways:

• The gut-brain connection: Why Ayurveda sees digestion (agni) as the key to clear thinking and effective decision-making.
• What to eat for a sharper mind: Foods that enhance clarity (and what to avoid when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or foggy).
• Dosha-based nutrition hacks: Tailored tips for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha leaders to stay mentally grounded and focused.
• Practical rituals for clarity: Eight simple daily habits—from meal timing to mindful eating—that can reset your mind and energy.
• Why nourishment is a leadership strategy: How feeding yourself intentionally helps you lead with wisdom, focus, and resilience.

👉🏼 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague or friend who could use a little more clarity in their day (you know the one who calls coffee “lunch”).

💡 Want to take it deeper? Grab my free guide, 🌿The 5-Minute Ayurveda Reset, and start transforming your energy and focus today.

And if you loved what you heard, don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode on leading with balance, purpose, and resilience.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

What if productivity isn’t about cramming more into your day—but aligning your energy with what truly matters?

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Ayurvedic Doctor, Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff—an award-winning brand strategist turned Doctor of Ayurveda—to explore how the ancient science of Ayurveda reframes time management. We unpack how syncing your schedule with your natural doshic rhythms (rather than your to-do list) can revolutionize your energy, focus, and leadership.

If you’ve been stuck in the hustle cycle—chasing deadlines, running on fumes, and feeling like you’re always “on”—this conversation offers a radically different approach: one that honors your life force (prana) and gives you more clarity, creativity, and calm.

Key Takeaways

• Time ≠ Money. Time = Prana. Learn why Ayurveda considers time a vital life force and how this perspective shifts your productivity mindset.
• The Doshic Clock. Understand how Ayurveda divides the day into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha phases—and how to use this to optimize when you work, create, and rest.
• Signs You’re Working Against Your Energy. From burnout to brain fog, discover red flags that you’re misaligned with your natural rhythms.
• Practical First Steps. Simple adjustments you can make—today—to align your tasks with your energy flow.
• Why This Works for Leaders. How small daily rituals create massive impacts in leadership, creativity, and team dynamics.

🎧 Listen now to this episode of The Grounded Leader with Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff.
👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
👉 Share it with someone who needs to hear this—because aligned energy is contagious.
👉 Visit swetavikram.com for tools and resources to help you lead with balance and intention.

About Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff

Dr. Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff believes in unlocking the innate wisdom and uniqueness of each individual, helping them to restore their health and vitality from within, through the ancient science of Ayurveda. Her clinical practice is grounded in the foundational principles of Ayurveda, root cause medicine, and a profound respect for natural law and circadian rhythms.

Prior to becoming a doctor of Ayurveda, she held an award-winning career in brand strategy and macro-trend forecasting, leading global creative teams for multi-million dollar brands in the luxury and wellness industries for over 10years. Since discovering Ayurveda in the early 2000’s, Lindsey has been dedicated to living, practicing and diving deeper into this ancient science of life, and slowly integrating the prin

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

The Back-to-Busy Trap: How to Avoid Burning Out Before Fall

Does late August feel like slamming your foot on the gas? One moment you’re savoring summer; the next, your calendar is overflowing, and your energy feels scattered. That’s what I call The Back-to-Busy Trap—the cultural push to “make up for lost time” by jumping back into a frenzied pace.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore why this seasonal shift feels so jarring—and how Ayurvedic wisdom can help you transition into fall with steadiness instead of burnout. You’ll learn:

• Why September sparks the urge to overcommit (and how to resist it)
• The Ayurvedic view of the Pitta-to-Vata shift—and how it impacts your energy
• Practical routines to ground your mornings, protect your calendar, and create seasonal rituals
• A powerful mindset shift for leaders: Why busyness isn’t a badge of honor

If you’re ready to leave the hustle behind and enter fall feeling focused, calm, and in control, this episode is your roadmap.

Feeling stuck in the Back-to-Busy Trap?
Let’s change that together. Book your free 20-minute Ayurvedic discovery call—we’ll create a personalized plan to help you protect your energy and thrive this fall.

📩 Book Your Call Here or visit my website.
🎧 Subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode designed to help you succeed from a place of balance.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

Is burnout your default setting? In this powerful episode of The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance —host Sweta Vikram challenges the toxic narrative that burnout is a sign of commitment or success.

From sleepless nights to simmering irritability, Sweta breaks down how burnout shows up differently for each Ayurvedic dosha—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and why high-performing leaders are especially at risk. Through personal stories and ancient Ayurvedic insights, she helps you recognize the early whispers of burnout before they become full-blown breakdowns.

You’ll learn:

• Why burnout isn’t a flex—it’s a red flag.
• How leaders unknowingly commit prajnaparadha (the mistake of ignoring inner wisdom).
• Dosha-specific signs of burnout—and what to do about them.
• Daily Ayurvedic strategies to realign your mind, body, and spirit.
• Why rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy.

Listen to your body before it has to shout.

🎧 Tune in, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and reimagine what grounded, successful leadership can look like. This episode is a permission slip for every high-achiever to slow down without guilt and lead from a place of clarity, compassion, and strength.

👉 If this episode spoke to your soul, share it with a friend or colleague who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, or connect with me on Instagram @swetavikram.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.