Pragya Thakur
Purpose. Mindfulness. Transformation
About
I come to coaching from an unexpected place: three decades in magazine circulation, where I learned to see patterns in complex systems, manage intricate data flows, and understand how small strategic shifts create meaningful change at scale.
Now, as a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach and MPH candidate at Boston University, I bring that systems lens to the work of human flourishing. I've discovered that the skills I honed analyzing subscriber behavior and campaign optimization translate beautifully to understanding how people navigate change, build sustainable habits, and align their daily choices with their deeper values.
My work sits at the intersection of behavioral science, lifestyle medicine, and strategic thinking. I'm particularly drawn to clients who are managing complexity—whether that's a demanding career, a health transition, or the challenge of building a life that feels both meaningful and sustainable.
I'm also a published writer (Philadelphia Inquirer, The Law Journal Newsletter), author of In Pursuit of Wellness: A Patient's Perspective, and creator of the Substack newsletter From Soil to Soul, where I explore the threads connecting public health, policy, and personal transformation.
If you're looking for coaching that's grounded, thoughtful, and attuned to both the granular details and the bigger picture, I'd be honored to work with you.
Packages
60-Minute Breakthrough Session
Sixty minutes of focused attention to help you see what's true, what's possible, and what wants to happen next.
Exploration Package
For: People testing whether coaching is right for them, or working on a focused, short-term goal
Foundation Package
For: People ready to make meaningful change around health behaviors, stress management, or work-life integration
Transformation Package
For: People navigating complex transitions, managing chronic health conditions, or building a fundamentally different relationship with wellness
Free Discovery Call
Let's have a friendly chat and discover if we're a fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I work with?
I partner with people navigating complexity—whether that's a demanding career, a health transition, or the challenge of building a life that feels both meaningful and sustainable. My clients tend to be thoughtful individuals ready for self-directed, lasting change aligned with their deepest values. As a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, I honor that you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you access the inner resources and strengths you already possess.
What makes my approach different?
I was trained in the Upbuild philosophy of coaching, which means I work from a fundamental belief: you are a stream, not a machine. My role isn't to fix you or prescribe solutions—it's to serve your own process of discovery.
I practice what I call "transformational listening"—a four-channel approach where I attend not just to what you're saying, but to what you're leaving unsaid, to shifts in your energy, to the specific words you choose, and to the broader environment shaping your experience. This creates space for insights neither of us anticipated.
Three decades of analyzing patterns in complex systems taught me to see connections others might miss. Combined with my training in evidence-based behavior change and lifestyle medicine, I bring both rigorous structure and creative experimentation to our work together.
I practice what I call "transformational listening"—a four-channel approach where I attend not just to what you're saying, but to what you're leaving unsaid, to shifts in your energy, to the specific words you choose, and to the broader environment shaping your experience. This creates space for insights neither of us anticipated.
Three decades of analyzing patterns in complex systems taught me to see connections others might miss. Combined with my training in evidence-based behavior change and lifestyle medicine, I bring both rigorous structure and creative experimentation to our work together.
What happens in a coaching session with me?
We co-create a container—a space where you can think clearly, explore freely, and examine what has heart and meaning for you. I listen deeply, ask questions that shift perspective, and help you see patterns you might be too close to notice.
Sessions follow a salutogenic approach, meaning we focus on building health and accessing healing resources rather than dwelling on disease or problems. Together, we explore your awareness, identify action steps aligned with your values, and monitor what's working. I don't prescribe solutions; I help you discover them.
Sessions follow a salutogenic approach, meaning we focus on building health and accessing healing resources rather than dwelling on disease or problems. Together, we explore your awareness, identify action steps aligned with your values, and monitor what's working. I don't prescribe solutions; I help you discover them.
Do I work with health conditions?
As an NBC-HWC, I work with clients on lifestyle-related health goals—stress management, nutrition, movement, sleep, and sustainable behavior change. I don't diagnose or treat medical conditions, but I partner effectively with your healthcare team to support the implementation of what's been recommended. Health coaches serve as the bridge between medical guidance and the lived reality of making lasting change. I am also certified in Type 2 Diabetes Management by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and in Yoga for Osteoporosis.
How do I handle cultural considerations?
I bring cultural awareness to every session. Having worked with Indian clients navigating conservative family dynamics and gendered expectations, I understand how culture shapes our choices, our hesitations, and our possibilities. I pay attention to cultural cues and meet you where you are, with respect for the context that informs your life.
What is my coaching philosophy?
I believe everything matters. Individual choices ripple outward. Our work together examines not just discrete problems but the underlying patterns—the inner critics, the false identities, the environmental pressures—that keep you from accessing your truest self. When those layers are compassionately examined and removed, what remains is clarity, agency, and the capacity for meaningful change.
What if you are not sure coaching is right for you?
Let's talk. I offer a complimentary discovery call to explore whether we're a good fit. Coaching requires readiness—not perfection, but a genuine willingness to explore what's getting in the way and experiment with new approaches.
How long do people typically work with me?
It varies. Some clients work with me for 3-6 months around a specific transition or goal. Others find ongoing support valuable as they navigate evolving challenges. The NBC-HWC credential requires that I've completed rigorous training in coaching structure and process, so I know how to meet you wherever you are in your journey.
Do I offer single sessions?
Yes, though lasting change typically requires more than one conversation. Building self-awareness, taking action, and evaluating results is an iterative process. I offer both single sessions and packages, depending on what serves you best.
Let's Connect