Rising Stars: Meet Ashwin Krishna Nedunoori

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashwin Krishna Nedunoori.

Hi Ashwin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began with my passion for software engineering, and I pursued a master’s degree at Arizona State University to further my knowledge in the field. Despite the demands of my studies, I never lost sight of my other interests and hobbies, such as dancing, hiking, yoga, meditation, and more. These activities helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance and a sense of fulfillment outside of my academic pursuits.

One key aspect of my journey that has been particularly meaningful is my involvement with the Art of Living Foundation’s SKY Happiness program. As a facilitator for this program, I have been able to touch the lives of many people, helping them overcome stress, anxiety, and depression. Witnessing the transformation in people’s lives has brought me immense joy, and I am committed to continuing to share my knowledge and help others find peace and happiness in their lives.

Throughout my journey, I have faced many challenges, but I have learned to approach them with a positive mindset and a sense of resilience. My practice of breathwork (Sudarshan Kriya – a unique breath-based technique that uses cyclical, rhythmic patterns of breath to bring the mind and body effortlessly into meditation) has been particularly helpful in this regard, allowing me to remain calm and focused even in difficult situations.

Overall, my story is one of dedication, hard work, and a deep commitment to helping others. Through my involvement with the Art of Living Foundation’s SKY Happiness program, I have been able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many people, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue doing so.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been far from smooth, and it has been full of ups and downs. From starting a job to repay my education loans to switching jobs during the peak of the pandemic, it has been a roller coaster ride. Along the way, I have faced many struggles, including the need to learn new things every day and deliver tasks on time, as well as the challenge of providing on-call support to ensure that customers have a smooth experience with the products we build.

One of the most significant struggles I faced was losing my job during the pandemic and needing to find a new one within 60 days to maintain my visa status. Fortunately, the breathing techniques and meditations I learned through the Art of Living program helped me stay grounded and focused. Thanks to these techniques, I was able to adapt to new technologies and find a new job in less than 30 days.

As an Art of Living Instructor/facilitator, I faced another challenge when the pandemic hit, and all in-person workshops had to be shifted online. I had to adapt to the online teaching system quickly, but I was able to reach out to many people who were experiencing stress, anxiety, loneliness, and other negative tendencies. It was rewarding to transform so many lives during the pandemic.

On a professional level, I also faced challenges when I shifted to working from home. There was a lot more work to be done, and the fear of missing out on things in the team and the organization led to self-doubt. However, with a positive mindset and constant feedback from my manager and colleagues, I was able to keep moving forward in my career.

On a personal level, living away from my family and not being able to visit them frequently has been one of the most significant challenges. I have felt the impact of this on my relationships with my family and on my ability to go out and explore the places I love back home. Although virtual communication has helped us stay in touch, there is nothing like a physical presence. However, having friends who feel like family, along with my wife, keeps me motivated and positive for the future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am proud to say that I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Arizona State University and am currently working as a Senior Engineer at Ticketmaster. However, it wasn’t an easy journey for me to reach where I am today. Prior to pursuing my Master’s degree, I was working on different technologies which felt mundane and boring. It was challenging for me to switch to a different field without higher education. Pursuing my Master’s degree gave me the motivation to switch careers, with the help of my faculty members and a part-time job at Arizona State University.

After joining Ticketmaster, I faced various challenges to explore and build new tools that could benefit the company. It was not easy to go through the process of building a new tool and presenting it to the entire company, but the appreciation I received made it all worth it. I realized that overcoming challenges is what makes life fun and learned that this is the biggest lesson that has helped me climb up the ladder in my career.

Ticketmaster is one of the best companies to work for as they provide a good work-life balance, with unlimited vacation and year-end shutdowns to spend time with family. However, during the COVID era, it was difficult to spend time with friends and family, and not being able to travel back to India was tough. But I consider myself fortunate to have been able to teach meditation and breathing techniques online to help people overcome stress and anxiety issues. This experience gave me a different perspective on life and how to handle difficult situations.

I am proud to say that I have achieved a good balance between work and personal life, where I pursue my job duties during the day and teach breath work and meditation in the evenings, along with other volunteer activities for the Art of Living Foundation.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the well-being of my family and friends, as well as socializing, spending quality time with them, playing games, and networking. I am grateful to have the Art of Living and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s teachings in my life, which have transformed my perspective and approach towards living. My ultimate goal is to transform lives and create a stress-free, violence-free world where everyone can experience peace and happiness.

Through my journey of personal growth, I have learned that sharing my knowledge and experiences with others is a powerful tool to create positive change in the world. I have taken the responsibility to spread happiness and positivity in the lives of people around me by sharing the principles and teachings I have received. This shift in mindset has helped me overcome my lack of confidence and introverted nature and has allowed me to make a 180-degree transformation in my personality. I believe that if it can work for me, it can work for others as well.

By eliminating stress and promoting positivity, I am contributing to creating a ripple effect of change that will spread across the world. I have realized that when people around me are happy, it creates a positive atmosphere that spreads across communities and beyond. Once someone experiences the benefits of positive energy and meditation, it becomes addictive, and they want to be in that space more often.

I believe that being present in the moment and living life to the fullest brings creativity and enables me to acquire new skills, ultimately leading to the purpose of life. The motto “Live, Laugh, and Love” is at the core of my values, and I strive to spread this philosophy to others. In conclusion, my biggest priorities are my loved ones and living a life full of joy and positivity, which I aim to share with the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nekrishn
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nekrishn