Episode
You've Muted Your Hidden Talent
- Published
- Jul 11, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2813
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Summary
Imagine growing up as one of seven children, watching your mother stretch every dollar until it couldn't stretch any further—and still somehow never making you feel poor. She would hand down clothes to the next sibling and simply say, "If it's still good, you wear it." No apology. No shame. Just wisdom. At some point you've probably asked yourself: What is my money actually for? Am I working to build wealth—or to build a life that matters? And what happened to the talents and passions I convinced myself I didn't have time to pursue? Those are the questions Sairan Aqrawi helps women answer. Born and raised in Iraq, Sairan learned from her mother that joy, generosity, and dignity aren't determined by income. She also grew up hearing one lesson that shaped her future: "Education is a weapon. No one can take it away from you." When she moved to the United States nearly 30 years ago with an engineering degree, she quickly realized education was a foundation—not a guarantee. She built a successful engineering career, earned advanced degrees, and even started a doctoral program before one unexpected question changed everything. After speaking to young female engineers, someone asked, "Are you a coach?" She laughed. She thought coaching was only for athletes. But after discovering business coaching, she found her calling. She became certified and never looked back—while intentionally keeping her engineering career. "I always tell my clients I'll never ask them to leave their day job," she says. "When your business creates enough income, you'll quit without telling me." Today, through her Gem Thrive Academy, Sairan helps professional women in midlife uncover the talents they've been hiding and build purpose-driven businesses alongside their careers. Her philosophy is simple: st…