What if taking a breath was the most radical thing you could do? Chandrika’s story— from state-school kid in Preston to advising the likes of Chanel, Soho House and Sony—shows that calm confidence can be a quiet act of defiance against the odds.

A first-generation graduate who speaks three languages, Chandrika sits in the rare 5 percent who rise from her starting point to earn a degree. Yet her greatest insurgency isn’t the résumé; it’s choosing to move through elite rooms relaxed, refusing to shrink or tense up for anyone. In this episode, she explores how “relaxed” becomes a form of rebellion—especially for women expected to hustle, apologise, or over-prove.

We dive into:

• The Relaxed Woman mindset – why ease, presence and boundaries are power tools for people from under-represented backgrounds.
• Social mobility in action – leading Teach First’s Socio-Economic Affinity Group and coaching creative-industry giants through the Creative Mentor Network to build equitable policies and mentoring systems.
• Psychotherapy meets boardroom – how Chandrika’s clinical training helps brands foster inclusive environments where everyone can exhale.
• Mindsets that let you keep the shoulders down while smashing glass ceilings—and how that very poise invites others in.

Listen for a fresh take on resilience: not white-knuckling your way forward, but claiming the radical right to relax, succeed and pull more chairs up to the table.

Chandrika’s Recommended Reads on social mobility:

1. Inheritocracy: It's Time to Talk About the Bank of Mum and Dad by Eliza Filby
2. Natives by Akala
3. People Like Us by Hasi Mohamed