“Happiness cannot be based on things or people. It comes from changing your perspective and enjoying the things you have. Then, happiness will become second nature.” Today’s woman dreamer, Happiness Coach Shalini Arora Kochhar, comes from the beautiful French Riviera Island, Monaco, and has coached numerous celebrities and executives on how to be happy. Ever wonder what life in Monaco is like, Shalini writes, “Living in Monaco is all that a person can wish for . There’s something for everyone. I call it the rich village. Monaco gives you the choice to live it and love it.” If you are looking to embrace happiness in your daily life, enjoy Shalini’s story below!

1) You are a Happiness Coach based in Monaco. Tell us your story.  What inspired you to become a Happiness Coach? 

At the peak of my career and fame, after all that I had worked so hard to achieve, and  probably professionally the happiest time of my life, I was asked to make a choice:  give it all up for a content personal life or enjoy the professional accolades with the emptiness of a non existent personal life. I chose the former but was determined to get the balance soon in a new location with new people. God had given me a clean slate to start afresh. I was ready to write a new story only bigger and better. 

I chose Happy! My happiness was no longer based on location, people, or profession.  It was based on enjoying all that was handed to me and my perception of it. Either everything makes you happy or nothing can make you happy. That choice is entirely yours to make . 

That is when I decided that my way forward was to get a formal education and invest in being happy. I invested in myself by doing an ICF certification from Symbiosis Boston , and receiving my Happiness Coach certification from Berkeley Institute  in California, and studying the Science of Well being from Yale and many more programs .  Right from when I was a child I always said I’m brought in this world to spread love & happiness and the universe conspired to make it a reality.

Today I call myself the Happiness Guru and a few companies along the way have addressed me as their Happiness Ambassador. I love what I do and every person I impact positively motivates me to make this world a HAPPY PLACE!  Happiness is not a pursuit it’s a choice!

2) Monaco is one of the most beautiful places in the world . How did you decide to live there. What is life like living in Monaco ?

I would like to say Monaco is one of the most exotic places to live in. It is definitely a safe haven created for the rich and famous . Like I mentioned,  I made it there because of my husband getting an interesting opportunity. In fact he finally found his calling in Monaco, as the COO of World Athletics.

Living in Monaco is all that a person can wish for . There’s something for everyone. I call it the rich village. It is a small place, so if you live there for a couple of years, you will see the same faces. There is a constant familiarity. It’s by far the safest place with least crime (so much for the jail having a sea view 😜) 

You can also keep yourself busy here. There are only 365 days in a year,  but I can assure you the number of events in Monaco are definitely double of that. You  can keep yourself busy for breakfast lunch, and dinner if that’s your choice . there is something for everyone: From music festivals to movie screenings to art shows and casino madness, and there are always nature walks and  yoga and fitness for those that enjoy that aspect of life . (I absolutely don’t mind the idea of dining at Coya with Phillip Plein on the table on my right and Bono on the table on my left, while Madonna n Djokovic are at the bar 😜) Monaco gives you the choice to live it and love it. Given a choice of place to live anywhere in the world I would choose Monaco all over again !

3) You have coached a wide range of clients from celebrities and executives and more. What is your happiness philosophy? What do you believe is the key to finding happiness in your life ? 

The journey of a coach begins from himself/ herself . You have to  travel inwards to be able to impact lives.  You have to be on top of your own happiness to be that bridge, elevator, mirror or translator for your client . My very first client was an actress on her way out of the industry . The fact of the matter is Fame , money , adulation, attention,  even though we know this is temporary, we still work on it and enjoy it while it lasts. But when its on its way out, it leaves you feeling good for nothing and you wish you spent your life loving yourself instead. 

happiness is as a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” – Thoreau"

My happiness philosophy is very simple . I don’t seek any validation from the world , I have lowered my expectations from people.  I live in a constant state of gratitude for all that I have.  I  have changed my perspective. I enjoy what I have and not crave what I don’t.I go with the flow. Happiness to me is the joy of giving, I see beauty in everything, and what you are is what you attract. I am happy because happiness is not my destination,  happiness is my journey, and happiness is my choice ! All I want to leave as a legacy is HAPPINESS! What you seek is seeking you - I wanted to be a Happy person that spreads Happiness,  and guess what Happiness found me 

4) Many people struggle to find happiness , even when they have achieved their dreams. What is common roadblock you see that prevents people from being truly happy?

People that base their happiness on if I get rich I will get happy, or if I marry her or him, I will be happy. When they reach the point of achieving that goal,  they are seeking something else . Happiness cannot be based on things or people. Happiness comes from changing your perspective and enjoying the things you have. Then, happiness will become second nature. The one thing I stand by is happiness comes from progress,  so always pursue passion projects . Stagnant life is definitely unhappy life, so keep growing professionally, personally in relationships in every which way.  

The only roadblock is your mindset is in limiting your beliefs.  Whether you think you are Happy or you think you aren’t - ITS TRUE!  It’s up to you . 

5) As a platform for women dreamers , what is your next big Dream?

My Dream .. wow ., thank you for this question. I wanted to start the "Women on Top" Awards to recognize and facilitate women doing exceptional work all over the world. I was actually able to kick off the India chapter despite the Pandemic. At the present moment the focus is to do it across the globe and make these awards "The Oscars for Women Entrepreneurs " 

The bigger Dream still remains  … Make it a better place for you and for me and the entire Human Race🎼🎼🎼

Before I end - my piece of advice to all those looking for a Happy Ending .. Maybe it’s time to look for a New Beginning 

Thank You Shalini for Sharing Your Story with Us! We are excited to have you in our empowered women’s network!

Bio: SHALINI Arora Kochhar is a modern LUXURY and LIFESTYLE Guru, 

And works with different industries, celebrities and countries, globally. A Best Selling Author, Columnist, TV Anchor and Happiness, Success & X-FACTOR Coach, SHALINI radiates the wisdom of an INDIAN YOGI, and the glamour of the Principality of Monaco where she lives.  As a former Miss India finalist, SHALINI combines beauty and intelligence with a purpose. Founder of "Women on Top Forum she promotes WOMEN EMPOWERMENT all over the world, and among top industries: from MOVIES, to MUSIC, SPORTS, FASHION CORPORATE & BUSINESS. She is the Ambassador for the Better World Forum Monaco  , President WICCI - Monaco India Bilateral Relations . Her first book - “ShaliniSays Women on Top of their Game” - celebrates 100 women entrepreneurs and their inspiring stories and contributes to raise awareness about Breast cancer worldwide. SHALINI’s fire for life radiates in all she does, as demonstrated by the multiple AWARDS that she received by leading organizations, such as: Women's Economic Forum, United Nations-ICUNR, and Dr. Ambedkar National Award, Dr Sarojini Naidu award 2020- ICMEI &AAFT, Berlin Capital Club - women entrepreneur of the year award in Berlin..among others.  Her creativity also shines through her perfume - “The Gold of Shalini” - and her jewellery line - “Sak’s Monaco” - showcased in all top fashion weeks in Europe, and luxury retails in Monaco, Milan, Berlin and Paris. As a COACH, Shalinis ays vision is to "Transform Lives" and make this World The Happy Place !  Her Latest Passion Project is her Magazine, Women on Top||Monaco . It’s a magazine for you by you . It showcases Women of Monaco that are making a Difference.  SHALINI’s mantra “I believe I can Fly.. I believe I can touch the sky.... “ resonates in the Universe.