Conscious Conversations with Vikas Arora

From stacking shelves in his family’s East African–Indian shop to collaborating with global visionaries, Raj Kotecha’s journey is a striking testament to hustle and humility.   Born in Bolton to grandparents who journeyed from Gujarat, India to Africa and then the UK, Raj grew up in a modest household where work ethic and generosity were non-negotiable, lessons forged between school lessons and serving sweets over the counter. He’s since turned that foundation into a global career, working with powerhouse figures like Gary Vaynerchuk, Tony Robbins, Steven Bartlett and guiding media legends ranging from the Wu-Tang Clan to Russell Peters, Fatman Scoop, and the Sugarhill Gang.   Over two decades, Raj has built and led the Creative Content Agency, launching iconic campaigns like Vayner World in London and his signature events series “My Friends Your Friends,” which has united thousands of creative entrepreneurs across cities like Dubai, New York, Toronto, and London.   As a DJ, promoter, and podcaster, he’s crossed paths with Grammy-winning host Fatman Scoop and immersed himself in hip-hop culture from Miami soirées with DJ Khaled to navigating the streets with Fat Joe during ringtone licensing travels.   In this dynamic conversation, Raj shares the raw inspiration behind his emergence from humble beginnings, the cultural values that drive his vision, and the game-changing tactics he’s learned from industry icons. If you're building your hustle from the ground up or plotting your next leap, this episode delivers the mindset, the playbook, and the motivation to turn your ambition into legacy. Follow Raj on:   Instagarm - https://www.instagram.com/rajkotecha   You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/rajkotecha Podcast - ALGO: A LOT GOING ON WITH RAJ KOTECHA   Thank you for listening and as always you can connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook.    

Having had the pleasure of working with so many founders, I have had the opportunity to make a few observations.  Observations that can be summarised as mindset qualities that I have found to be a common thread amongst a majority of the founders I have worked with. This episode provides a brief insight into 12 such mindsets that have been contributing factors to their success and mindsets that every founder should fine-tune, dive deep into or invest time in learning more about them relevant to their business. As always you can connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook

An episode recorded some time ago with a truly amazing human being - Hema Vyas. This episode covers Hema's journey to where she is now empowering leaders and professionals to lead from the heart.  In the hustle bustle of the corporate landscape leaders tend to lead in a textbook fashion.  Hema guides us to take a deep step back, dive into our hearts and lead with compassion.   We touch on her personal experience and inspiration to where she is today, trends she sees in the workplace, and the techniques we can implement in our day to day. A little bit about Hema: Hema Vyas: The Omnipreneurial Psychologist™, Speaker, Trainer, and Mentor Hema is an award-winning trailblazing psychologist, speaker and mentor who teaches heart intelligence as the way to lead in today’s business world. She is renowned for addressing the silent heartache of high achievers. Hema empowers people and organisations to redefine success on their terms, contributing to a legacy of love and purpose.   Visit Hema Vyas for more information or you can follow Hema on LinkedIn.   As always you can connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn & Facebook      

12 months since the last episode I am now coming back to share more and dive even deeper.  Think of this as Season 2 of Conscious Conversations with insights from taking a step back over the last 12 months. This episode focuses primarily on what the last 12 months have taught me and what I am taking into 2025. Being comfortable with taking a step back Importance of setting boundaries Celebrating every achievement, big or small Learning and growing at every step Setting up for success Thank you as always for listening and being part of this journey.  If you like this episode or any of the other episodes, please leave us a like and share your thoughts and views.  We welcome feedback as it allows us to grow and continue sharing the messages that are aligned to you. As always you can connect with me on: Instagram  LinkedIn Facebook

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” - Helen Keller  How many times have you been in a situation or felt that you do not control your happiness or own the right to your happiness? In this episode, I share my experience, my memories, and my definition of happiness. We chase so much, the next big thing, the next shiny new gadget but sometimes it not so much the material thing in life that brings us happiness. It's the small moments, it's gestures from our loved ones, or random acts of kindness that you share with others that actually make us happy. The art of reflection on these moments and incidents in your life, in your childhood, are yours and yours alone.  Nobody can take them away from you. Take some time to reflect back and take note of these moments in your life that brought you joy, happiness, and bliss and reflect on how you felt in the moment, where were you, and who was with you.   Visualise the memory and journal on this.  This is an exercise I now do on occasion and they truly make me happy in the moment. Try this, take time out of your day and your week and recreate those memories. Remember, you own your happiness !!   Thank you for listening and being part of this journey. As always you can connect with me on: Instagram  LinkedIn Facebook

Performing at their peak is a mindset that all athletes have, yet how can we perform at our peak in our day to day. This episode I would like to share a small sample of the hacks that I have adopted in my life to perform at my best.  From journalling to seeking counsel, to reflecting on past successes.  There are a multitude of ways, tools and techniques that we all find useful in our own way and I hope this episode leaves you with just one way that can help you on your path to a productive you.   Thank you for listening and being part of this journey. As always you can connect with me on: Instagram  LinkedIn Facebook

The journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneur has always interested me so I thought I'd reach out to an old friend and colleague who has done just that.   Colette had a great career, promising and on the rise with one life changing occurrence that led her to a different purpose and path with natural medicine and nutrition. In this episode Colette shares her path to going back to university, finding her true calling into the world of nutrition and wellbeing, starting her own company - Optimum Living, becoming an author and being a mum. You can find Colette on LinkedIn, Instagram and at Optimum Living ... and as always you can connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

"This phenomenon of capable people being plagued by self-doubt has a name - the impostor syndrome. — Sheryl Sandberg "   Have you been there ?  Feeling like your efforts and skills are not enough, doubting your self or feeling a fraud. Imposter Syndrome has plagued us all at some point in our lives and on many occasion it can prevent us moving forwards, taking a chance or advantage of an opportunity. But did you know that Imposter Syndrome can actually be good thing ?   Over the course of my career I have experienced this.... well I have lost count but I can say a LOT !! During that time I have had some major breakthroughs and learnings which I am honored to share with you in this episode. I uncover the growth, strategies and tips and tricks to help you identify your hidden power in imposter syndrome and if this helps you in anyway then feel free to drop me note on Instagram   

"With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability one can build a better world." - Dalai Lama The power of confidence gives us the belief that we can successfully achieve anything we want. In this episode we uncover the journey of confidence through belief, vision, passion, desire, and grit with Dr. Shamoly Khera. Diving into our personal strengths our skills and ability to be authentic stands us out and fuels our super power to uncover our confidence. So grab a pen, a notebook sit back relax to note down some of the golden nuggets discussed in this episode As a Confidence Coach, Public Speaking mentor, Author of Bedazzle and well known personality in Indian media, Shamoly has a passion in the field of Neuroscience, Behavioral Psychology and Psychology of Confidence, she mastered the science of NLP and founded ‘Speak to Inspire Academy’ where as a Confidence coach, she has inspired hundreds of professionals and leaders to become impactful speakers and voice their powerful story.    Inspired ?  Then reach out to Shamoly Khera via Instagram, LinkedIn and her academy Speak to Inspire   Thank you for listening and being part of this journey. As always you can connect with me on: Instagram  LinkedIn Facebook  

It's a new year, new beginnings, a time to reframe, a time to take time out before you dive deep into moving forward.  It's not too late to step back and I am sharing why.  There's no point in diving into the new plan if you have taken into account what you have achieved, what lessons you have learned, and how you have grown.  Play now to know how. Thank you for listening and being part of this journey. As always you can connect with me on: Instagram  LinkedIn Facebook