I’m the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, a behavior change technology company with the mission of improving health and helping us move from merely surviving to thriving. I also founded The Huffington Post and have written 15 books, including Thrive and The Sleep Revolution.

I’m originally from Greece (and still have the accent to prove it!). When I was 17, I moved to England and studied economics at Cambridge University, where I frankly spent most of my time debating at the Cambridge Union.

I live in New York but also spend time in Los Angeles, and love being a Yiayia (Greek for grandmother) to my almost three-year-old grandson Alexander and his newborn sister Annabel.

My journey to focusing on health began with a fall. In April 2007, I collapsed from exhaustion and burnout and hit my head on my desk on the way down, breaking my cheekbone.
 
In the wake of my fall, I found myself going from doctor to doctor to find out what was wrong. Doctors’ waiting rooms were good places for me to ask myself a lot of questions about the kind of life I was living.

After all the tests, it turned out nothing was wrong. Except for the fact that everything was wrong. I was suffering from an acute case of burnout. I had bought into the myth that burnout was the price I had to pay for success. 

I became more and more passionate about the five daily habits that drive so much of our health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management and connection. That led me to write Thrive and The Sleep Revolution. 

The books struck a chord, but I wanted to go beyond speaking and writing to helping people move from awareness to action. So in 2016 I founded Thrive Global, which helps people transform their health by combining Microsteps — small, science-backed daily steps — with technology, storytelling and community. And last year, with the OpenAI Startup Fund, we launched Thrive AI Health to build an AI health coach to democratize access to health coaching.

Arianna Huffington

"My advice: Don’t beat yourself up over past mistakes – learn at least a little from them and move on. It is never too late to improve."

Great advice and powerful perspective from Warren Buffett, in one of his final letters sent as CEO to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, about the helpful lessons he learned from friends over the years. 

As he put it: "Get the right heroes and copy them.”

Founder and CEO at Thrive Global | Passionate about Health and AI

Love this 💜

🎨: To You From Steph via Instagram

We all feel anxiety and fear — it’s part of life.

One way to manage it is to look at the things we can control.

And the things we can control start with our own daily habits.

Loved being with Erin Burnett OutFront on CNN talking leadership, women, and finding glimmers of light in the turbulence.

There's no better time to start. 

Love this from YUCH Studio.

“When the world feels fast and fractured, it’s the slow, steady, and deeply present love of a parent that can change everything.”

That’s from Dr. Amit Sood’s great new book, “Dancing in the Elevator,” that he co-authored with his daughter, Gauri Sood, where they unpack decades of lessons in parenting, friendship, and growing up.

As they write, “Think of this book as a small care package from our family to yours—filled with science, stories, and practical skills, all wrapped in the promise that you are not alone. May it help us, together, nurture a kinder, happier, and more hopeful world for every child.”

Diagnoses and job descriptions tell us what we have or what we do — never who we are.

Because if we’re defined by our labels, we’re also confined by our labels.

No label, however authoritative, and no job, however important, can ever contain the full constellation of who we might become.

"I’m still placing my bets that AI can be a force for good. But it remains an open question. Right now, we’re at a fork in the road, where two different futures are possible.”

That’s from my conversation with Lucy Handley in Big Think in which we talked about the possibilities of AI and why it’s important for us to use our agency and build the AI future we want.

Want to slow the aging process? 

Instead of supplements and serums, get a little help from your friends. In a study by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), researchers found that those who were more socially connected actually aged slower on a cellular level and had lower systemic inflammation. It’s more evidence that our daily behaviors are one of our most powerful medical interventions. 

As Luigi Ferrucci, chief scientific director at the National Institute on Aging, put it, “The next great step in aging science will be understanding how lifestyle factors slow down aging.”

How often do you connect with your friends?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

How young is too young to give a child a cellphone?

Catherine Pearson of The New York Times reports on a study that found that children who had smartphones by age 12 were at higher risk of depression, obesity and poor sleep.

“When you give your kid a phone, you need to think of it as something that is significant for the kid’s health — and behave accordingly,” said Dr. Ran Barzilay, lead study author and a psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Barzilay is careful to note the study isn’t meant to shame parents. He has three children, and two of them got phones before age 12, but his 9-year-old won’t be joining them anytime soon.

“It doesn’t mean that every kid with a smartphone has a problem for life,” he said. “All it means is that us as parents — and, I hope, also policymakers and society — are going to do something about it together.”

What age do you think kids should be allowed to have a smartphone?

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan announced that they’re going to refocus their Chan Zuckerberg Initiative on AI and biology not just to cure some diseases, but to cure all diseases. As they put it in a statement, “When we started, our goal was to help scientists cure or prevent all diseases this century. With advances in AI, we now believe this may be possible much sooner.”

I’m always puzzled when people say they’re going to use AI to cure or prevent all diseases, since it completely ignores the established science on the profound role our daily habits and behaviors — what we eat, how much we move, how we sleep, our stress levels, our social connections — have on the incidence and progression of disease. To take just food as an example, around 85% of all healthcare spending is related to the management of diet-related chronic diseases. And obesity is connected to at least 236 conditions and diseases.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative statement talks about “training new biological AI models to create virtual cells and immune systems and engineer our cells to detect and treat disease.” I’m all for it. As well as investing in AI to create better diagnostics and more lifesaving drugs. But there’s so much we can do with what we already know about the science on our daily behaviors.

At a launch event, Priscilla Chan said that “we want to make every single scientist better, to take on more risk, to ask the most brave, curious questions so that they can find out what's true in biology.”

Here are two of my curious questions: Isn't it about time we realize that the ultimate limiting factor of the impact of AI on health is going to be human nature? And given that, shouldn’t we begin to invest in humans as much as we're investing in machines? Yes, AI, and, no doubt, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, will have a hugely positive impact on health. But AI can have an even bigger impact by being applied to something we already have a lot of data on: helping humans improve their daily habits can dramatically transform their health.

Atom Alloys

- Responsible for overall administration and quality of the organisation – projects, policies, procedures and facilities.
- Collaborate with management staff to identify and deliver administrative support operations.
- Solicit, coordinate and oversee vendors, including negotiation of contracts.
- Strengthen organisational culture and ensure that company values and approach are displayed.  
- Develop and implement an overall strategy for health & wellness programs, ensuring a wellness culture that inspires, motivates and equips employees to adapt and maintain healthy lifestyle.
- Keep abreast of current wellness and wellbeing initiatives and activities.
- Develop a network of resources.
- Mentor and motivate staff to create a collaborative group culture focused on learning and exploration.
- Ensure travel management is supported by correct strategic travel partners and suppliers (agency, air, hotel). 
- Establish KPIs to ensure effective control of travel spend.
- Develop and implement roadmaps for sustainability and CSR initiatives, and manage those initiatives by supporting company's environmental strategy.  
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners and perform periodic data analysis to track the performance of sustainability initiatives, and identify program enhancements.
- Assist with the creation of sustainability goals.
- Manage the planning of events to meet program's goals and objectives. Collaborate with key internal partners and external vendors. 
- Drive strategy, planning and execution for external customer events.
- Work closely with leadership in conception and approval of events.
- Develop, track and oversee annual budget plan of the Administrative support office. Analyse and report budget variances.
- Lead and work with the key executive team to determine goals, drive superior organisational results, and maximise employee value.
- Maintain organisation's administrative policies and procedures manual.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Director Of Administration

Hapag-Lloyd AG

- Plan and coordinate administrative procedures and devise ways to streamline processes.
- Responsible for Administration, Facility Management, Vendor Management, Travel Management, Event Management, Infrastructure Management, Budget Forecasting & Variance Reporting.
- Monitor and drive continuous improvement across Employee Welfare, CSRs, environmental activities and Corporate Wellness campaigns.
- Access staff performance and implement adequate measures for maximum efficiency
- Document and file management. (E-filing services, store management and retrieval system).
- Monitor inventory of office supplies and purchase new materials with attention to budget. 
- Organize and supervise other office social/sports events, competitions, team building and CSR activities to improve work-life balance.
- Manage schedules and deadlines.
- Negotiate with vendors and service providers & select cost-effective and quality products.
- Ensure operations adhere to policies and regulations.

Senior Manager - Administration & Facility Management 

United Arab Shipping Company (S.A.G.)

- Actively involved and supported projects related to the merger of UASC & Hapag Lloyd.
- Evaluated customer service standards by implementing administrative correspondence tracking system.
- Served as the liaison between administrative personnel and senior management.
- Provided oversight for general administration.
- Ensured that the necessary administrative policies, systems, and procedures are in place and are adhered to in order to promote high management quality standards. 
- Developed and implemented an information management system to ensure efficient allocation, management, and control of resources within the allocated budget.

Manager Administration General Services

- Crew Management - Conducted crew change/rotation for projects and programs, then oversaw their output.
- Provided technical and logistical support for all administrative personnel.
- Guide new employees with joining formalities like visas, tickets, etc.
- Served as the liaison between administrative personnel and senior management. 
- Served as the liaison between the management and external organisations such as Port Authorities, Immigration Officers, ensuring timely and cost-efficient operation.
- Responsible for maintaining updated vessel rotation plans and execution of agreed crewing
strategies.
- Planned and coordinated arrangements for events and training.
- Developed a lucrative annual food and beverage marketing plan on strict budgets to maximize profits.

Assistant Manager & Administration General Services

Dole Food Company

- Handled projects, shipping, administration duties and customer service.
- Responsible for the smooth running of the office.
- Provided guidance for the execution of projects.
- Manged shipping documents and the bank account of the company i.e. cheque submission and issuing. - Managed the Telex transfers, deposits of cash and salary accounts.
- Served as the liaison between the management and the sales team.

Administration  OfficerF F I C E 

Transforming B2B Operations & Streamlining Processes for Organizational Success with 25+ Yrs of Administrative Expertise | Employee Engagement | Vendor & Event Management | Change Management | Director Of Administration

Hello there!

I'm Neena Mathew Nair, a seasoned corporate administration professional with an extensive 25+ years track record of excellence. I have a natural talent for infusing professionalism, expertise, and unwavering dedication into every project I take on.

In 2019, I proudly received both the prestigious Chief Happiness Officer and Eco-Champion Award, a testament to my commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture and championing sustainability initiatives.

With over two decades of experience, my forte lies in elevating employee motivation, orchestrating exceptional events, and prioritizing the well-being of our hardworking team members. I've honed the art of precision in practices and mastered effective communication to cultivate a harmonious work environment.

In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate environments, I lead teams to efficiently oversee office operations and streamline administrative processes. 

From day-to-day office administration to intricate tasks like sourcing requisitioning and analysis, indirect and direct sourcing, purchase and vendor management, and account management, consider it all within my realm of expertise.

Alright, enough about me! Let's connect and explore how my skills and decades of experience can contribute to your organization's success. 

Feel free to message me on LinkedIn or e-mail me at 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰@𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦; together, we can make some magic happen!

Neena Mathew Nair

Most workplace stress isn’t caused by others - it’s caused by how personally we take things that were never about us.

Across teams, relationships, and leadership, one pattern keeps showing up:
We over-personalise.
We over-function.
We over-explain.
And often, we bear emotional burdens that were never ours to carry.

Here’s what radically changed things for me:
Not everything is about you.

Didn’t say hello? Didn’t reply? Cancelled at the last minute? Raised their voice?
For years, I’d ask: “What did I do?”

But real clarity arrived; when I learned to remove the 'me.'
Not to protect myself, but to gain perspective.

When you step out of the centre:

• It stops feeling like rejection.
• You begin to spot genuine patterns, not excuses.
• You realise their behaviour is a reflection of their own state - not your worth.
That’s when calm returns.

Leadership becomes lighter, decisions clearer.

Ask once. Clarify once. State the boundary.
Adjust as needed. Guard your peace. Then move.

Facts over feelings. Patterns over promises.

Your responsibility is how you lead yourself.
Their behaviour is their story, not yours.

Remove the ‘me.’ Reclaim your peace. Lead from clarity, not self-blame.

#Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #Workplace #SelfLeadership

Director Of Administration @Atom Alloys | Transforming B2B Operations & Streamlining Processes for Organizational Success with 25+ Yrs of Administrative Expertise | Employee Engagement | ESG advocate | Culture & Wellness

Lately, I’ve noticed something about growth that no one really talks about.

It doesn’t show up as some big breakthrough.
It shows up in small, uncomfortable moments.

You’re in a conversation you used to enjoy, and suddenly you feel drained.
You meet someone you’ve known for years, and you realise you’re putting in all the effort.
You try to explain a new boundary, and it feels like you’re speaking a different language.

For a while, I thought I was being unfair or “too much.”

But honestly?
It’s just growth doing its job.

When you start taking yourself seriously; your energy, your time, your mental space,
some relationships won’t fit the same way.

Not because anyone is wrong.
Not because you’ve become a new person.
But because you’ve stopped ignoring what you actually need.

And that small shift changes everything.

People who matched the “old you” won’t always match the “growing you.”
And that creates distance.
It feels weird at first.
Sometimes even sad.

But it’s not loss.
It’s just your life making space again.

Space for people who communicate better.
Space for people who respect boundaries without pushing back.
Space for people who grow with you instead of holding you in your past.

So if your circle looks different right now, don’t overthink it.
You’re not losing people.
You’re just finally choosing yourself, and your life is adjusting accordingly.

#growth #boundaries #network #mindsetshift

Why Does the Word Feminist Still Make People Uncomfortable?

Feminism isn’t about hating men.
It’s about fairness.
About equity.
About giving space to voices that have been ignored for far too long.

And yet, even today, saying the word can trigger discomfort, even defensiveness.
Maybe because feminism challenges old systems.
Maybe because equality feels threatening to those who’ve always had it.
Or maybe because society has spent decades painting feminism as something loud, angry, or extreme, when at its core, it’s simply about balance.

Feminism isn’t a fight against anyone.
It’s a movement for everyone.

#feminism #equality #balance #society LinkedIn

What if gender equality isn’t just fair, but smart?

I came across a powerful insight in a recent UN Women report:
"Achieving gender equality could unlock $342 trillion in global economic growth by 2050."

That’s not a typo.
That’s the cost of ignoring half the world’s potential.

But this isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about possibility.

Imagine what that growth looks like:
More women leading teams, building companies, shaping classrooms, driving policy, and designing solutions that lift entire communities.

Imagine a world where innovation has both perspectives.
Where leadership is defined by empathy as much as efficiency.
Where equality isn’t a headline, but a habit.

Gender equality isn’t charity.
It’s strategy.
It’s growth.
It’s humanity.

Every time we invest in a girl’s education, support a woman’s career, or challenge a bias at work, we’re not just doing the right thing,
we’re accelerating progress for everyone.

The question isn’t if we act.
It’s when.
And the longer we wait, the more we all lose.

#leadership #genderequality #education #humanity LinkedIn

What if the significant influences in your life never set foot in your world, but quietly changed it from afar?

The people who reshape us don't always step into our lives; sometimes, they find a way into our minds.
This year, forced stillness was my teacher. When life slows you down, it gifts you piercing clarity.

I found myself re-examining it all:
How I lead. How I live. Who I learn from.
And most importantly, who I invite to take up space in my thoughts

These women became quiet architects in my journey:

• Leena Nair - 𝐂𝐄𝐎, 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥
Empathy is her strategy, not just a soft skill.
• Julie Sweet - 𝐂𝐄𝐎, 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
Clarity and discipline as an art form. She speaks when it matters.
• 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐑𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 - 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭
She didn't just rewrite TV. She gave me permission to rewrite my own inner script.
• 𝐏𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐂𝐡ö𝐝𝐫ö𝐧 - 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫
Her words told me fear is not a stop sign, but a guide.
• 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡 - 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫
Self-compassion, she taught, is strong, practical, and real.
• 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲 - 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫
My mindset is either my power source or my prison-he reminds me every time.
• Falguni Nayar - 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐍𝐲𝐤𝐚𝐚
She built what mattered, on her own timeline. There's no late. No early. Just right on time.

Inspiration goes beyond admiration - it shifts your alignment. It's not just about being uplifted; it's about being realigned to who you are.

May we all find women who lift us, teach us, steady us, 
and may we become that for someone else.
Inspiration is powerful. Alignment is what truly transforms.

#leadership #influencers #inspiration LinkedIn

Let’s call it what it is: The corporate world has fine print, and most professionals only recognise it once they’ve been burned by it.

After over two decades of leading teams, building organisations, managing crises, and navigating complex personalities, one truth has become unmistakable:

Talent alone doesn’t build a career.
Understanding the system does.

This week, I came across an exceptional breakdown by Deepali Vyas, a respected executive recruiter with 25+ years in boardrooms and leadership discussions.

Her observations were sharp, honest, and uncomfortably accurate.
I found myself nodding through almost every line.

Here are the 15 truths she highlighted, and anyone serious about leadership should pay attention to them:

1. The people who keep the company running rarely run the company. Politics influences outcomes more than performance.

2. Every corporate value has context. Transparency lasts only until it challenges an agenda.

3. If you don’t manage your professional brand, someone else will — and not in your favour.

4. Decisions aren’t made in meetings. They’re communicated there.

5. Speaking up won’t get you fired, but it may quietly move you off the playing field. Watch the access, not the applause.

6. A vague role is not flexibility. It’s a mechanism for control.

7. Consequences are subtle, fewer opportunities, fewer conversations, reduced visibility.

8. “High potential” often means you’re skilled but not yet threatening.

9. Top performers are stretched. Mid-performers are protected for stability.

10. Mentorship offers guidance. Sponsorship changes outcomes.

11. Gatekeeping is frequently insecurity wrapped in “standards.”

12. Recruiters will tell you the truth your manager won’t articulate.

13. Perks are distractions. They can keep you comfortable while your ambition slowly dilutes.

14. If you’re not in the information flow, you’re not in the influence flow.

15. Innovation is welcomed, until it challenges someone’s comfort. Then you’re suddenly “not a culture fit.”

These aren’t frustrations.
They’re realities.
And the senior you become, the clearer they are.

Because here’s what truly matters: Clarity is leadership. What you don’t understand can limit your path. What you do understand can transform it.

Learn the rules behind the rules.
They’re rarely stated — but they always operate.

#corporate #boardrooms #leadership #teams

A woman working a corporate 9–5 is celebrated for being independent, yet a woman managing a home from 9–9 often struggles to receive even the same respect.
Strange, isn’t it?

Why does such a stark difference exist?
Why does society overlook the contribution of a homemaker?

If you observe closely, a homemaker does no less than a working woman - in fact, managing a home demands even more discipline, patience, and emotional strength.

Just think about what her day truly looks like:
 → Planning and preparing meals for the family
 → Maintaining order and cleanliness
 → Managing budgets, groceries, and daily essentials
 → Handling unexpected problems that arise without warning

A home runs smoothly because of her management skills, 
her ability to multitask, 
and her constant attention to detail.

And if that still feels hard to believe, 
try imagining a single day without your mother or wife at home.

You’d probably struggle to make breakfast, 
misplace half your essentials, 
and lose track of time before the day even begins.

All the small, everyday comforts we take for granted become challenging the moment she isn’t around.
That’s exactly where her leadership shows — quietly, consistently, and powerfully.

Leadership is leadership.
Whether it happens in a boardroom or within the four walls of a home.

The only difference lies in our perspective.
And if you still fail to see the significance of a homemaker’s work, it’s not the role that needs redefining — it’s your mindset.

#HomemakersAreLeaders #InvisibleLabour #EmotionalLabour #UnpaidWork

Want to know what's quietly eroding trust in workplaces today?
It's not what's said. It's what's missed.

Years in leadership have shown me an invisible thread running through boardrooms and break rooms alike.
Many people don't actually listen.
They wait.
They're poised for the pause, the split second when they can pivot the story back to themselves.

Sociologist Charles Derber calls it conversational narcissism.
It slips into meetings and one-to-ones, rarely out of intent, but always with the same effect:
The original voice fades away.

For leaders, this is where connection quietly fractures.
People sense when they're overshadowed. They shrink. Their answers grow shorter, their truths more surface-level.

You lose insight long before you notice trust slipping away.

Great leaders do things differently:
 • They remain, fully present, wherever the other person is.
 • They listen without rehearsing a comeback.
 • They ask, rather than redirect.
 • They hold space so others can step in, fully themselves.
Because a conversation is not a stage - it's a stewardship.

The leaders people trust most aren't just skilled speakers; they're the ones who make others feel genuinely heard.

Before you speak next, ask: Am I truly listening, or just waiting to be heard?

#leadership #workplace #trust

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