Dr Meenal Agarwal On How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally

An Interview With Maria Angelova

Being sustainable because it’s authentic; no additional effort needed.

Being vulnerable and authentic are some of today’s popular buzzwords. It may seem counterintuitive to be vulnerable, as many of us have been taught to project an air of confidence, be a boss, and act like we know everything. In Brene Brown’s words, “vulnerability takes courage.” So is vulnerability a strength or a weakness? Can someone be authentic without being vulnerable? How can being authentic and vulnerable help someone grow both personally and professionally? In this interview series, we are talking to business leaders, mental health professionals and business and life coaches who can share stories and examples of “How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally.” As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Meenal Agarwal.

Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an award-winning optometrist and distinguished entrepreneur. With three clinics across the GTA and sought-after experience, Dr. Agarwal is an expert in the field of eyecare and a leading voice on eye health. After graduating from the University of Waterloo’s prestigious Doctor of Optometry program, Dr. Agarwal completed an internship at Parkland Health and Hospital in Dallas, Texas, where she honed her skills in managing ocular diseases, low vision, and contact lens care. Now, her exceptional expertise and outstanding patient care make her a trusted authority in the field, earning her many honours, including the Low Vision Award from Women in Optometry Magazine. Dr. Agarwal is also a specialist in Laser Vision Correction and Lasik, contact lens fittings, and nearsightedness in children. As a leading health provider for all ages and an active participant in the community and in professional circles, Dr. Agarwal is a dedicated member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), where she continuously champions the importance of comprehensive eye exams. Her advice and opinions are frequently requested in conversations around advancing eye care.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

Growing up in Markham alongside my immigrant parents from India and my two older sisters, I was the youngest. My educational journey took me through Toronto Montessori School and Havergal College, where my love for studying, Bollywood movies, FOOD, and family flourished. I was undeniably a homebody and proud nerd.

My parents, staunch supporters of their three daughters, instilled in us the belief that we could achieve anything. They toiled tirelessly to afford us the best education and life, emphasizing the importance of empathy, love, and kindness. Despite my rebellious phase, my dad’s mantra remained: “If you really want this xyz, despite me not being in agreement, I will stand by you.” Their trust in our decisions, coupled with consistent support during failures, fortified us for life’s greatest challenges.

A pivotal moment came at age 11 when I was diagnosed with Glaucoma, underscoring the fragility of sight. Realizing this, I found myself drawn to optometry for my studies, all because I started seeing the value of vision and health in a whole new light.

As a South Asian navigating through school, I faced unique challenges as a minority. However, instead of allowing any type of rejection and obstacles to fully deter me, they instead fueled my determination, turning adversity into a wellspring of inspiration.

After graduating from the University of Waterloo Optometry School in the year 2008, I ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing my very first practice. Over a few years, I expanded my reach by opening two more clinics in the GTA, aiming to provide top-notch care to more patients.

As I look back on my journey in 2024, every moment feels precious, especially with 15 years of experience behind me. My husband’s consistent support keeps my passion alive, while his kindness serves as a constant source of empowerment. And then there are our three amazing children, aged 7, 6, and 3 — a delightful blend of our traits, and unmistakably ours wherever they go!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

My personal mantra is: “Worrying about others’ opinions has crushed countless dreams. Don’t let them crush yours.”

People always have something to say about everything — from the friends we choose to our appearance, education, or career paths. It feels like there’s always someone telling us we’re doing it wrong. If I moved to Waterloo for school, I was labeled rebellious. If I pursued optometry, I should have aimed to be a surgeon. If I worked at a practice, I should have owned my own office. The list goes on.

The problem is, we’re wired to care too much about what others think. I certainly did, until I reached a point where I had to tell myself, “Enough is enough.” There are always more naysayers than supporters out there. If you let their negativity dictate your actions, you might never reach your full potential.

Had I not stayed true to my dreams and tuned out the noise, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And guess what? The judgment never stops. It’s a constant barrage — from how we raise our kids to their behaviour and intelligence. It’s relentless.

Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

Back then, I couldn’t get enough of “Ugly Betty.” It resonated with me big time because I constantly struggled with feeling like I didn’t measure up to others, whether it was in confidence, looks, or career. Betty’s journey really spoke to me — she transformed so much over the series, always staying true to herself and never backing down from a challenge.

But now, my favorite monologue comes from the Barbie movie: “It is literally impossible to be a woman…”. It resonates because, well, it’s true! No matter what you do, it never seems to be sufficient for anyone. The key is to keep pushing forward, despite the many challenges.

Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Let’s begin with a definition of terms so that each of us and our readers are on the same page. What exactly does being authentic mean?

To me, authenticity means having the courage to be yourself, to show the world who you truly are.There was a time when I struggled to embrace who I really was, worried about what others might think because of all those societal pressures and taboos. But you know what? It’s 2024! In today’s world, there’s ample opportunity to express your true self, and platforms like Instagram offer the potential to cultivate a significant following almost overnight, should you choose to pursue it.

What does being vulnerable mean? Can you explain?

Vulnerability means finding yourself in a situation where you’re underestimated or not given the respect you deserve. It could be when you apply for a promotion within your company, only to be told you lack the necessary skills, despite knowing you’re more than capable. That’s when it’s time to explore opportunities elsewhere! Or perhaps you’re working as an associate doctor at a clinic, and they don’t believe you’d make a suitable partner or manage the clinic according to their standards. That’s when you take matters into your own hands and open your own clinic — right down the street!

What are the positive aspects of being authentic and vulnerable? Can you give a story or example to explain what you mean?

Staying true to yourself is sustainable, while losing yourself in the process is not. I’ve experienced this firsthand as every opportunity seemed to close its doors on me in my field. Whether it was attempting to partner in a practice, establish my own, earn respect in the corporate optometry world, or now, stepping onto a bigger stage to speak to the world. I constantly felt like others didn’t take me seriously.

Feeling vulnerable, especially when starting to present on a larger stage or creating video content for my Instagram, was inevitable.I couldn’t help but wonder: What if people laugh at me? What if my hard work doesn’t pay off? What if I get super criticized? Despite those worries, I kept going. And you know what else? I feel amazing. Sometimes, embracing vulnerability is what gives us the strength to overcome our fears.

Are there negative aspects to authenticity and vulnerability? Can you give a story or example to explain what you mean?

Vulnerable and authentic individuals often face challenges being taken seriously and are sometimes viewed as the underdog. Despite owning three successful practices, a corporation once dismissed me, claiming I wasn’t suitable to lead other doctors in practice management sessions on stage. Perhaps they didn’t perceive me as fitting the role based on appearance or demeanor. During pitches and discussions, they wouldn’t even make eye contact, instead opting to look down at their phones. Such dismissiveness is demeaning and can be emotionally draining.

It took me some time to recover from experiences like this, which unfortunately occurred multiple times, some even without a handshake. However, I’ve learned to carve my own path and move forward, surrounding myself with super supportive individuals.

From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that hold someone back from being authentic and vulnerable?

Sometimes, it’s those closest to us — our family, friends, colleagues, and society as a whole — who hold us back. There’s a tendency within us to resist others’ genuine success and instead, we bring them down. It’s unfortunate. Those who give in to that urge end up missing and losing out. Through this article, my hope is to inspire others to rid themselves of toxic influences and strive for victory.

What are five ways that being authentic and vulnerable pay off, and help you win, both personally and professionally?

• Being sustainable because it’s authentic; no additional effort needed.
• Sparks motivation and passion within you.
• Cultivates self-love, leading to improved mental well-being.
• Forms a genuine support system of cheerleaders around you.
• If one path doesn’t lead to success, you’ll discover another way, often better, and become less reliant on others.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

It would be a movement centered on “investing in yourself” and “breaking free from judgment.” Remember, you are your own best asset. Try investing in yourself without worrying about others’ opinions and see where it leads you. It won’t hold you back; instead, it’ll propel you forward. Take that leap of faith.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

Reese Witherspoon, without a doubt! She’s hitting her peak in her 40s after raising a family, which is quite the opposite for most people. She’s a truly admirable individual — beautiful inside and out, she hasn’t lost her sense of self despite her fame. Now, she’s even busier, earning more money, and showcasing how much our mindset about work has evolved. It’s proof that there’s so much more we can achieve even after starting a family.

As women, we still face numerous barriers and stigmas when it comes to advancing in our careers while balancing family life. But if you’re as confident and authentic as her, you can break through those barriers and truly succeed.

How can our readers follow you online?

Instagram and TikTok: @dr.Meenal Agarwal

LinkedIn: Meenal Agarwal

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.