Life often presents us with unexpected challenges, but some individuals turn those challenges into platforms for transformation and inspiration. Parul Somani, mindset coach, speaker, author, and cancer survivor, is one such person. Her life story is not just about overcoming adversity—it is about redefining resilience, leading with purpose, and teaching others how to navigate change with clarity and intention.
Parul Somani: Early Aspirations and Corporate Success
From a young age, Parul Somani envisioned a future in the corporate world. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science, she pursued management consulting at Bain & Company. Her ambition and brilliance led her to Harvard Business School, where she earned her MBA and continued to excel, taking on leadership roles in Silicon Valley startups.
On paper, Somani was the epitome of success—an Ivy League graduate, a senior leader, and a rising executive. Yet life had a different plan, one that would test her strength in unimaginable ways and ultimately shape her future mission as a mindset coach and inspirational leader.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis
At the age of 31, shortly after the birth of her second child and the start of a new job, Parul Somani received devastating news: she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. What followed were 10 rounds of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and countless difficult decisions.
Instead of retreating into silence, Somani chose to document her journey publicly through her blog “New Job. New Baby. New Cancer.” Her words resonated deeply, reaching readers in over 85 countries and shining a light on survivorship, resilience, and the power of mindset.
This deeply personal health battle not only saved her mother’s life—when preventive surgery revealed early-stage cancer—but also unlocked a new sense of purpose. She began to recognize that mindset is the foundation of resilience, and her journey became a powerful story of transformation.
Parul Somani: The Birth of a Mission – Silver Linings and Speaking Career
In 2019, after years of reflection and advocacy, Parul Somani founded Silver Linings, a platform dedicated to motivational speaking, coaching, and patient empowerment. Her story, once personal, now became a beacon for organizations and individuals navigating change and uncertainty.
As a keynote speaker, she has addressed audiences at Fortune 100 companies, Stanford Health Care, MIT, Harvard Business School, the World Economic Forum, and other prestigious institutions. Her speeches are not theoretical—they are grounded in lived experience, strategic thinking, and her signature framework, the Path of Least Regret®.
The Path of Least Regret® – A Framework for Intentional Living
Parul Somani’s unique contribution as a mindset coach is her Path of Least Regret® framework. Born from her own journey of making life-and-death medical choices, the framework transforms regret from something that weighs us down into a compass for decision-making.
She teaches individuals, leaders, and organizations how to make intentional choices that align with their values and priorities. This practical yet profound approach has resonated with high achievers—executives, entrepreneurs, and founders—who seek meaning beyond traditional measures of success.
Author and Thought Leader
Somani’s impact extends beyond stages and coaching sessions. Her upcoming book, The Path of Least Regret, set to launch in March 2026, brings her framework to a broader audience. It offers strategies for applying intentional decision-making to leadership, career, health, relationships, and personal growth.
Her work has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, MIT Technology Review, and other global platforms. By weaving together professional expertise, behavioral science, and personal resilience, she has positioned herself as a thought leader on mindset and intentional living.
Advocate for Health and Empowerment
As a cancer survivor, Parul Somani also advocates passionately for women’s health, genetic awareness, and patient empowerment. She understands that knowledge and proactive decisions can save lives—her own mother’s story being proof of that.
Her advocacy goes beyond awareness campaigns. She equips individuals with tools to ask the right questions, seek proactive medical care, and make decisions from a place of strength rather than fear.
A Life Rooted in Intention and Joy
Despite her achievements and accolades, Somani remains deeply grounded. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters and continues to nurture her lifelong love for Indian dancing, a passion she has pursued for more than three decades.
Her personal and professional lives are tied together by one common thread: living with intention. Whether coaching a leader through a career pivot, speaking to thousands about resilience, or dancing with joy, she embodies the values she teaches.
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