First Generation Programming Services
Welcome back, First Gens! This week, we are continuing our conversation on this month’s theme, First Gen Forward: Intention Setting in the New Year, by welcoming a brand-new guest, Chitra Rochlani. Chitra is a professional speaker, intuitive coach, and bestselling author of The Warrior Mindset. She inspires professionals and organizations to redefine success on their own terms, using her signature “peel, feel, heal” framework. Additionally, she hosts a podcast, The Warrior Mindset, designed to help listeners declutter their mind, create space for intuition, and attract the people and experiences they deeply desire.
Chitra Rochlani
Chitra tells us her story of being born in India, raised in Dubai, and then later moving to the United States about 25 years ago. She talks about some of the difficulties of navigating different cultural norms and expectations. From her protected upbringing in Dubai to the culture shock of college life in India and finally settling in America with its promises and hurdles, Chitra’s experiences is what made her who she is. As first gens, we know all too well what it’s like to live with these different cultures that are a part of us, but for those that aren’t familiar, it can be a lot to handle to live on the hyphen.
During our conversation with Chitra, she talks to us about the importance of understanding yourself before setting intentions. Remember how setting intentions is something we talked for the new year? Chitra shares with us how her journey of self-awareness helped her align her goals with her true desires, not societal expectations.
Intention Setting for The New Year
Through her signature “peel, feel, heal” framework, Chitra encourages others to:
- Peel the layers of conditioning to uncover their authentic selves.
- Feel the emotions that arise as they navigate this journey.
- Heal through intentional actions and self-discovery.
This framework allows for setting meaningful goals, which is pretty significant for first gens juggling cultural and familial expectations. We also chatted a bit about the challenges of being a first gen parent. Chitra reflects on her own upbringing and how she’s working to break the cycle of rigid expectations while raising her sons. Her openness about seeking help, including hiring a parenting coach, really stresses the importance of evolving alongside our families and embracing growth.
As we move forward in 2025, we asked Chitra for some advice for the first-gen community. She encourages us to take time before setting our intentions. Peel back those the layers, feel the emotions, and heal to move forward with clarity. Remember, this framework is a reminder to prioritize our mental and emotional wellness as we strive to achieve our goals. Find out more information about Chitra on https://www.fitwarriorlife.com/.
The First Gen Madrina/The Social Work Madrina
If you are a University, College, Company or Organization, The First Gen Madrina offers workshops on a variety of topics (such as imposter syndrome, time management, managing burnout, building a self-care plan, etc..), custom built mentorship programs as well as customized services tailored to your needs.
In order to follow along, remember to rate, review, and subscribe to The First Gen Madrina Podcast to stay connected. Also, follow on Instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Sara acknowledges that the term first gen can be fluid, so The First Gen Madrina is committed to supporting all first gens! This isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about providing unwavering support that propels individuals to embrace life’s challenges and triumphs.
Also, in case you have missed it, I recently announced a new branch of The First Gen Madrina called The Social Work Madrina. The Social Work Madrina will bring intentional support to social workers and more programming on mental health. Within TSWM, you will find The Madrina Network: A Community for Social Workers!
The community will be kicking off in March, just in time for National Social Work Month! Our community deserves more support, guidance and resources.
Soooooo are you ready? Here are some highlights of the community!
Monthly zoom calls to discuss the successes, challenges and needs of the social work community.
Opportunity to network with fellow social workers from all over the U.S!
Monthly workshops with different social work-related themes.
Optional coaching time with me for additional support!
Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more information! Check out thefirstgenmadrina.com for more information soon!
¡Hasta pronto!
