Having a plan B and the support of your family and friends helps you feel less alone on this uncertain path of following your heart.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
As an engineer from IIT-Bombay, my life had been laid out for me - get a well-paying corporate job in a city, complain about the traffic, and take vacations twice a year. However, upon graduating, I took up a job in the social sector in the field of education. Over the next 7-8 years, while I contributed as an educationist, I started trusting my intuition and following my heart with every life decision. I am Smruti Mirani, an IIT-B engineer-turned-social entrepreneur-turned-diver, and this is my story so far.
I would often keep asking myself the question, ‘I am happy?’, ‘What is my life’s purpose?’ And, at least twice a year, I would reflect on my life to give it direction. There were some key moments in my life, and this one stood out for me - while living and working remotely from the Andamans in early 2022, I thought to myself, ‘Why live for a couple of vacations a year when this can be my life?’
And along the way, I discovered that my love for the ocean was undeniable. While I was diving and exploring the waters in Andamans with other divers, I found my true calling - Free diving! So, this part of my journey is where I learn how to use the healing power of water, to facilitate life-changing experiences for other people, and to nudge them to live their best life.
2. How did you pursue your passion for traveling and diving? Was your family supportive?
I started swimming very early on, and I faintly remember a family trip to Goa, when my brother and I were very little. At the beach, while playing with the waves, we would jump on our father’s back, while my mother would click pictures in those old film cameras.
Eventually, my official love affair with water began in 2010, when I went scuba diving for the first time on Havelock Island in the Andamans. And, life was never the same again.
After 8 years of waiting for my next diving trip, I finally got my scuba diving certification in 2019. This was my ticket to the underwater world, and I used it to explore the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and all the dive sites that the Andaman Islands in India had to offer.
And, it was in Andamans, again, in 2022, that I discovered freediving - where you simply dive while holding your breath! Imagine a mermaid swimming and diving underwater. It felt so magical! Since then, I spent 4 months diving in Bali and patiently learning the art of freediving.
My family has been as supportive as they could be because every aspect of this life is extremely unconventional. Initially, I had a tough time convincing them to travel solo to explore the world of diving. And, now, they share my freediving videos with everyone with such pride, and they are visiting me in Thailand, as I write this.
3. What is your fitness mantra?
For me, freediving is much more than a sport - it is a way of life. When I started my journey of freediving, I realized all my unhealthy habits and started making drastic changes to my lifestyle.
My current fitness mantra is ‘feel-good well-being’ - whatever I do, I genuinely love to do or practice, and only then do I add it to my routine. For instance, I love the vegan, healthy food choices I make, and seek out amazing options when I travel! Having a movement routine that I enjoy is very important to me.
Earlier it was yoga and pilates, and these days I am learning a strength training routine for muscle growth, which is very important as we lose muscle mass as we age. All of this is with the approach and mindset that, ‘My body is my home, and I want to take care of it and be happy and fit when I am old!’
Once you have clarity on what your values and goals are, it is very easy to have a solid routine that reflects those values. To give you an idea, my morning routine right now includes the following - hydrating, getting sunlight, movement, meditation, reading, gratitude journaling, and self-massage to name a few.
My current top challenge is continuing my fitness routine while on the move. For example, I am so proud that I found a gym while traveling to Koh Samui in Thailand. And, I hope to continue to build such consistent fitness practices while I travel. Wish me luck.
4. What advice would like to give someone who wishes to follow their passion?
Firstly, you would need time. If you have the privilege and the courage to take the time, and ask yourself ‘Who am I, and what do I want?’, take the time, my friend. Allow the voices outside you to calm down, the inner voice to come up, and listen to what that inner voice says.
Secondly, have a safety net or plan B for yourself. As an IIT-B alumna, I always have this thought at the back of my mind, ‘Even if everything else fails, I can always work in the education field to sustain myself.’ Having a plan B and the support of your family and friends helps you feel less alone on this uncertain path of following your heart.
Lastly, think of what legacy you wish to leave behind. Say, you lived a life of your dreams and passion - did it make the world a better place? How? How many lives have you touched, and how many souls will ache when you are gone?
You see, our mind is the one that is afraid, and your heart is super courageous. When we dare to follow our hearts, we can truly live a meaningful life filled with love, joy, and dreams.
Smruti Mirani, an IIT-Bombay graduate, defied the conventional trajectory of a corporate career to embark on a unique journey of self-discovery and passion pursuit. Over 7-8 transformative years in the social sector, she transitioned from an educationist to a social entrepreneur. While constantly questioning her happiness and life's purpose, a pivotal moment occurred in 2022 while working remotely in the Andamans, prompting her to redefine her life around her love for the ocean.
A seasoned traveler and certified scuba diver, Smruti's fitness mantra revolves around "feel-good well-being." She seamlessly blends her love for vegan, healthy food with movement routines like yoga, pilates, and strength training. Now a dedicated freediver, Smruti is committed to a life that aligns with her values, inspiring others to follow their hearts, build safety nets, and leave behind a legacy of love, joy, and meaningful impact.
Interviewed by - Ashmeet Kaur
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