What happens when you chase perfection in a world that demands flawlessness, especially as a South Asian woman?
In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Nishat Uddin, founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care, to unpack the cultural, personal, and professional layers of perfectionism. Nishat shares her journey of veering off the traditional career path, navigating community pressures, and redefining what success and mental health support mean on her own terms.
From breaking the silence around therapy to creating culturally compassionate health platforms, Nishat’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the weight of doing everything “right” just to feel “enough.”
Together, they explore:
✅The hidden cost of being the “perfect” South Asian woman
✅ How societal and family expectations shape our careers, mental health, and self-worth
✅ Nishat’s turning point that led her to leave PR and launch her advocacy work
✅ The stigma around therapy in South Asian households—and how that’s finally changing
✅ What success looks like when it’s not tied to external validation
✅ How South Asian Care is making healthcare more inclusive and culturally aware
👤 About The Guest:
Nishat Uddin is a South Asian health advocate and the founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care. With a background in public relations and a passion for culturally compassionate care, Nishat is on a mission to break the silence around mental health, body image, and wellness within underrepresented communities. After becoming a VP at a top global PR firm before age 30, Nishat pivoted toward purpose-driven work, creating platforms that amplify South Asian voices and connect individuals to health providers who truly understand their cultural context. Through her advocacy, she is redefining what success and self-worth look like beyond societal expectations.
🔗Connect with Nishat:
💻 Website: https://southasiancare.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatkuddin/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southasiancare/
🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Employee Wellness Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being via coaching, speaking, and virtual programs. Dr.Shabbir is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®.
This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.
🔗Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/
🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking
❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.
❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.