Creating a Tribe of Warrior Women
The inspiring Shilpa Kudekar is on a mission to create a tribe of warrior women. A multiskilled leader, Shilpa is a Medical Scientist, a Health Coach, a Reiki Master Practitioner, and a Sound Alchemist. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, she helps Oncology patients and caregivers take charge of their own health and healing.
What prompted Shilpa to bridge the gap between conventional medicine and holistic healing? “My inspiration comes from the wisdom and compassion of my parents, the courage and resilience of my patients, and my own personal journey towards holistic health. I constantly endeavor to change the healthcare narrative by integrating holistic practices including Reiki, Sound Healing, Breathwork, Meditation, and Health Coaching into medical care, particularly in the realm of longevity medicine.”
Shilpa’s journey has been one of resilience and transformation. It began with the painful loss of both her parents, which prompted her to confront her fears, dreams and health. At that time, she even struggled with Metabolic Syndrome, which further complicated her overall wellbeing.
However, Shilpa’s natural curiosity and love of learning led her down the Alice in Wonderland path, wherein she discovered Nutrition in all its glory – various Movements, Mindfulness practices, the essence of Relationships and Community, and so much more.
Today, she’s evolved into a Medical Scientist with 15 years’ progressive experience in Clinical Laboratory. She has been working as an innovative Clinical Instructor with infinite imagination at a world-class healthcare facility in Abu Dhabi for over 10 years. Her passion for wellbeing saw her become a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach in 2023; a certified Sound Healing Practitioner in 2024; and an intuitive Reiki Master Practitioner of 25 years. She is currently exploring the art of breathing as a Breathwork Instructor from the SOMA Institute and becoming an Advanced Certified Metabolic Specialist by studying the Advanced Integrative Metabolic Oncology Course.
One of her proudest endeavors has been the creation of the ‘Tribe of Warrior Women: Spirited, Thriving, Conquering’ community. The warrior women support group for oncology patients helps individuals nurture their mind, body and spirit through the power of knowledge, mindfulness practices, connections, relationships and bonds.
In this way, and through all her different roles, Shilpa offers a holistic approach to health and wellness. Her portfolio is designed to inspire a balanced, integrative approach to wellbeing. “My work, particularly with oncology patients and caregivers, continues to be a source of deep inspiration and fulfillment. By integrating reiki, wellness practices, and support group into oncology patients and caregivers plan of care, I believe I am cultivating a holistic approach to life. These wonderful complementary modalities help alleviate stress and anxiety, reduce pain, restore balance, and enhance overall wellbeing.”
Additionally, love and kindness are at the core of everything Shilpa does. As are spirituality and gratitude practices, which help her stay grounded even in difficult times. She also has an unquenchable thirst for learning and a deep curiosity about the world. She believes that wisdom comes not from having all the answers, but from having humility and curiosity to ask the right questions and continuously evolve. As a leader, Shilpa is transformative, inspiring, and rooted in human connection.
Sometimes though, her deep empathy can be a double-edged sword. She tends to take on the emotional burdens of others, which can lead to mental exhaustion or burnout. The challenge here is balancing empathy with self-care. “The key is to have a definite end to a workday to transition mentally into personal time. I also recognize that one can’t pour from an empty cup. Thus, setting clear expectations can prevent burnout. I like to prioritize tasks that help determine what needs immediate attention and what can wait.”
As someone who works with patients and caregivers every day, Shilpa urges each one of us to go on a journey of self-discovery. She suggests: “Take a chance. Yes, it will be hard and challenging at times, however facing adversities head on is going to make you resilient. Know that what goes down must come up. Throughout the process – trust your gut, your instincts – they never lie or let you down. Always remember that you have the power of intention and intuition in you. You can overcome anything with a correct mindset. After each milestone, celebrate your achievements. Have faith and be kind to yourself. Know that you are never alone. Go on, explore the cosmos within you as the possibilities are endless. You are the master of your story, so never ever give up.”
Shilpa’s honour roll:
● Rahma ‘Cancer Patient Care Society’ Award for outstanding work with oncology patients – August 2024.
● Fatima Bint Mubarak Center (FBMC) Nursing Award for outstanding contribution to oncology institute – November 2024.
● Frontline Hero Award in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic – February 2025.
