From Chartered Accountant to Life Coach: CA Pooja Bardia's Journey

From chartered accountant to life coach: The remarkable journey of Pooja Bardia

In this heartwarming episode of Coffee with CA, hosted by Geena Bharwani, we sit down with someone who’s walked two very different paths in life and blended them into something extraordinary. Meet Pooja Bardia, once a chartered accountant, now a certified life coach, counselor, and energy healer.

But this isn’t just a tale of career switches; it’s a story of resilience, rebirth, and rediscovering your voice in a world full of expectations.

A childhood shaped by numbers—and purpose

Bardia’s journey began not in a classroom, but at home with her father. He planted the seed early, explaining to her that becoming a CA would give her not only prestige but independence. “Even after marriage,” he said, “you’ll always have a safety net.”

In a family filled with CAs (eight of them!), the language of ledgers and balance sheets came naturally. But Bardia didn’t just follow tradition; she made bold choices. A top performer in school, she picked commerce over science, even when well-meaning voices tried to steer her elsewhere. The path to CA had quietly begun.

Marriage, studies, and the juggle no one talks about

At 17, while most teens were exploring the world, Bardia was attending matchmaking meetings. By 18, she was engaged. Shortly after, she was married and preparing for one of the toughest professional exams in the country.

Between lectures and ledgers, she was expected to host guests, attend family functions, and run a household. It was like living two lives—one of silent grit, the other of social grace. “They wanted me to be the best CA, but also the perfect daughter-in-law,” she recalled.

Tough choices and tiny triumphs

When it came time for her articleship, the pressure mounted. Late-night study sessions, early morning chores—it all became too much. To preserve her well-being, she opted for a “dummy” articleship, allowing her to focus on the academic side of CA. A difficult call, but a necessary one.

Even with fewer practical experiences, she pushed ahead—sometimes crawling, but never stopping.

Exams, expectations, and the tipping point

Bardia didn’t clear her CA final on the first try. Or the second. It took three attempts, each one testing her mental and emotional strength. At one point, her family began nudging her toward the “next step:” motherhood.

What happened next was something out of a movie: she cleared her final exams while pregnant. Her CA result and pregnancy news arrived the same month. It was a chapter of exhaustion, yes, but also of incredible triumph.

Rediscovering herself through teaching

With a baby in her arms and a degree in hand, the corporate CA path felt… off. That’s when a law professor nudged her toward teaching. What began as part-time classes soon turned into a calling. She wasn’t just explaining concepts; she was mentoring, uplifting, and healing students who were silently struggling.

It was here, amidst chalkboards and confusion, that Bardia found something priceless: herself.

From mentor to healer

The pandemic brought stillness and self-reflection. Like many, Bardia started with fitness goals: shedding weight and finding strength. But her transformation didn’t stop at the surface. She began exploring the world of energy healing, motivated by her own emotional battles.

One course led to another. Reiki, Lama Fera, intuitive guidance—until one day, she knew this is what she was meant to do.

She became a certified life coach and founded Blissful Navigator, a space for healing, growth, and emotional empowerment.

Blissful Navigator: More than just a brand

Blissful Navigator is more than a venture; it’s a safe space. Bardia envisioned a platform where people could shed their emotional baggage and reconnect with their power. Where financial logic meets emotional intuition. Where healing doesn’t come from textbooks, but from energy, empathy, and lived experience.

Words of wisdom: For CAs, for women, for you

Bardia has a simple but profound message:

 “Before you’re a CA, a wife, or a mother, you are you. Don’t lose that.” 

To CA students drowning in books: Take breaks. Keep your hobbies alive. Nourish your mental health.

To women chasing ambitious dreams: Listen to your intuition. It often knows what the world hasn’t caught up to yet.

She’s also vocal about changing how we view the CA journey—not as a grind, but as a test of endurance, adaptability, and growth. She dreams of a curriculum that includes mental health tools because success isn’t just about results; it’s about well-being.

The road ahead

Today, Bardia continues to guide people through both financial clarity and emotional chaos. Her journey across boardrooms, classrooms, and healing circles is proof that transformation is always possible.

If you’re standing at a crossroads—whether personal, professional, or emotional—ask yourself: What’s the voice inside me saying?

Pooja Bardia listened to hers and it changed everything.