Raised By A Single Mother, Dheemanth Shares About His Transformation and Navigation Through Anxiety

Hi. This is Story #2 from the series where I connect with people to discover their stories and learn what inspires them.

This time, I had the chance to sit down with Dheemanth Reddy , MBA Student ( IIMK PGP-Business Leadership ) at Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode

A kind-hearted person, Dheemanth believes in power of education. This is his story

I hail from the captivating city of Hyderabad, a paradise renowned for its mouth-watering biryani. Like many of my peers, I embarked on the well-trodden path of engineering, a journey riddled with questions about its purpose. However, little did I know, this phase would be a catalyst for a world of opportunities.

I come from a startup background, especially in Edtech. I worked as a founding member and head of sales with Unschool which has been a significant learning curve in my business career. Being an engineer this kinda transition wouldn’t be possible without my clubs and fest involvement in engineering days.

Born into a middle-income family, I was raised by my courageous single mother who left a toxic marriage when I was just 10. She faced financial struggles and lacked a college education, yet my education was always her top priority.

A memory that still resonates deeply within me is from my 5th-grade days when, due to financial constraints, my mother sold our water filter to buy me a geometry box I had asked for.

Her unwavering determination fueled my drive to work harder. As a result, I excelled academically and engaged in extracurricular activities, learning to be resilient and courageous in pursuit of my goals.

Initially, I aspired to a career in medicine, but with the desire for financial independence, I pivoted and chose engineering instead. This decision led me to secure a seat in one of India's top private colleges. It wasn't long before I realized that engineering wasn't my true calling, prompting me to explore a plethora of opportunities during my college years, ultimately leading to a voyage of self-discovery.

Immersing myself in campus life, I joined various clubs and eventually became the department head for the TEDx TEDxSRM Chapter, as well as Executive Member of the IEEE IEEE Student Branch SRM University AP . It was during this transformative period that I discovered my true passion: making a difference on a larger scale.

The power of education has been a pivotal force in my life, allowing me to grasp its potential to transform lives. As a result, I have embraced the education sector as my primary career choice, driven by the desire to shape the future and inspire others just as my mother inspired me.

Throughout my life, I've been the kind of person who often overthinks the future, inadvertently neglecting the present. This mindset gradually manifested into anxiety, especially during my MBA admissions journey. There were moments when I would call my best friend, my voice cracking with emotion (yes, men do cry).

I grappled with feelings of hopelessness and questioned my very existence. However, I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend who supported me through these tumultuous times.

One profound piece of advice she shared was,

"Humans can't predict the future. We can't. Our brain tricks us into thinking we can. We can't! Don't listen to it. You enjoy this moment."

This wisdom will forever remain etched in my heart.

As someone who has personally experienced the transformative power of education, I am committed to actively contributing to this sector and striving to impact lives. I firmly believe that it is education, more than generational wealth, that has the potential to change the trajectory of a family's future.

Coldplay has been the band closest to my heart, serving as my go-to playlist for any mood, any day. One day, I dream of experiencing the euphoria of attending a Coldplay live tour.

Raised by a single mother, I was exposed to societal prejudices and stereotypes from a very young age. This experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for inclusive behavior, a value I have made it a point to uphold in both my personal and professional life.

Today, as I interact with my cohort, I can see these same values resonating within the group. This sense of shared understanding makes me feel as though I've found a place where I truly belong.

Dheemanth's story is one of inspiration and determination and something that all of us can learn from. I hope it inspires you.

I, Ameya Agrawal am a student of Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode . You can read more about me at -- https://ameya.skillslate.org/

There is a guy who is writing his daily experiences from the past 8 years and is sharing it with people over WhatsApp and other social media platform for free as a mission to spread the habit of self-motivation.

You can also join this movement by clicking?--