We Are All Perfectly Different - Vijay Panchal - Neurodiverse Character Artist - Workshop Facilitator & Public Speaker #240

Vijay Panchal: Embracing Diversity and Creativity through Adversity

In this inspiring episode of the Us People podcast, host Savia Rocks embraces  the journey of Vijay Panchal, a neurodiverse character artist, and public speaker.

Vijay shares how he grew up influenced by his Indian heritage and creative family, using art as a therapeutic and expressive tool. The discussion explores Vijay's challenges, including undiagnosed health issues, his resilience through severe illnesses such as Shigella and fibromyalgia, and his completion of a degree in digital animation.

Vijay highlights the importance of support networks, programs like Hatch Launchpad, and the role of creativity in overcoming personal and professional hurdles.

He provides insights into managing physical and mental well-being through practices like meditation, movement therapy, and guided visualization. The conversation underscores neurodiversity, particularly ADHD and OCD, as assets to his creativity and organization, culminating in a message of self-acceptance, humility, and the value of diverse perspectives. Vijay concludes with his mission to empower young minds and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite life's challenges.

00:00 Welcome to Season Five
01:18 Introducing Vijay: A Neurodiverse Artist
02:07 Vijay's Early Life and Influences
02:47 Defining Identity and Overcoming Challenges
05:50 A Journey Through Art and Creativity
10:01 Health Struggles and Resilience
16:36 Achievements and Future Goals
21:28 The Power of Sharing Stories
22:54 A Day in the Life of Vijay
23:48 Night Owl Creativity
25:10 Morning Routine and Management Strategies
26:25 Nutrition and Supplements
27:52 Afternoon Tasks and Evening Creativity
29:32 Late Night Learning and Relaxation
33:20 The Importance of Helping Children
35:55 Personal Reflections and Mission
38:35 Finding Peace and Social Media Presence
42:24 Gratitude and Final Thoughts

Thank you so much Vijay for showing us, that we not what we are titled by society.

Website: https://vijaypanchal.weebly.com/

What you see on the outside, does not perceive the substance of our inside - Savia Rocks

Transcript

Vijay Panchal - Neurodiverse Character Artist - Workshop Facilitator & Public Speaker #240

[00:00:00] Savia Rocks: Hey guys, we made it to season five of the Us people podcast. I'm your host Savia rocks. And in this season, we aim to empower and embrace creativity through diversity as we dive into the fascinating stories and experiences of a diverse range of individuals. Highlighting their unique perspectives and creative endeavors from artists and entrepreneurs to innovators and activists.

[00:00:25] We celebrate the power of diversity in driving creativity and fostering positive change. Join us as we engage in thought provoking conversations like 

[00:00:37] Tony DaDa: I made myself intentionally homeless. In pursuit of my purpose, 

[00:00:41] Jay Harris: we're aware that a lot of people want to present and they were in my position and what's worse, they weren't a white male, which is a joke.

[00:00:48] That's even still a thing. I 

[00:00:49] Mel: think my family never, ever say you can't do something. So full of support, full of support for whatever dream. If I said tomorrow when I fly to the moon, they'll probably say, I wish you all the best Mel. 

[00:00:59] Savia Rocks: So [00:01:00] guys, I just want to say thank you for supporting the Us people podcast for the past five years.

[00:01:06] And we look forward to sharing another new theme song with you. Let's go.

[00:01:18] Vijay Panchal: Hey everyone. My name is Vijay. I'm a neurodiverse character artist, workshop facilitator, and public speaker. You're listening to the Us People podcast with Savia Rocks.

[00:01:35] Savia Rocks: Hey guys, welcome to another episode of the Us People podcast. I'm your host, Savvy Rocks, and today I am humbled to have Vijay here with me, who is a neo diverse character artist, workshop facilitator, and public speaker. Vijay, thank you so much for taking your time to come on the Us People podcast. How are you?

[00:01:57] Vijay Panchal: Morning, Xavier. Thank you for having me in this [00:02:00] opportunity. It's a blessing to be here. 

[00:02:01] Savia Rocks: I love that. Vijay, my first question for me, and he's smiling guys, he's smiling. My first question for you is, could you tell me a bit about yourself, where you grew up and how that influenced you to be the person who you are today?

[00:02:16] Vijay Panchal: So I'm born and raised in Watford, which is a part of Greater London, but parts of my, um, upbringing also in Bristol and Brighton, which are creative hotspots and my upbringing and everything I've been through, it has made me who I am today. So, and I wouldn't change anything for the world. 

[00:02:37] Savia Rocks: I don't blame you.

[00:02:39] I wouldn't change anything either. I think everything, every child's challenge and tribulation, as they say. Makes us who we are today. So my next question is one of my favorite questions that I do love Using people, which is, can you define who you are as a person, but also who do you see when you look in the mirror?

[00:02:57] But on the flip side of that question, [00:03:00] has there ever been a time where you have looked in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back at you? How did you manage to go from a person that you didn't feel were you and a reflection of you to becoming the person that you wanted to be? 

[00:03:15] Vijay Panchal: That's many questions there in one.

[00:03:16] It is. Off the back of your first question, I think everything is sort of serendipity, synchronicity, God instance as I call it. So, you know, look at the colors you're wearing. It's great. How do I define myself as a person? I don't really, the funny thing is, I don't actually believe in labels, so to speak, but I know I need to use them to communicate.

[00:03:36] So my name actually means victory through truth. Vijay is from the, it's an Indian name and that's what that means. It's the equivalent of Victor or Victoria if it was a feminine name. So I actually believe I'm a spirit. I believe in God and I believe I'm a spirit inhabiting this body. So on a worldly [00:04:00] level, um, I would introduce myself as a neurodiverse character artist, workshop facilitator and public speaker advocating for intersectionality, getting disabilities, neurodiversity, uh, CPTSD, and I'm also aspiring data analyst.

[00:04:20] So that's me as a, how I define myself in terms of when I look in the mirror, what do I see? Well, I don't actually look in the mirror that much. Um, but when I do, I see light reflecting back because the mirror, it's a reflection is light, you know? So I see light, but then I don't also. I don't also miss any darkness that's there either.

[00:04:48] Uh, I like to keep it real. And, um, I think what the reflection says depends on, um, a, you know, when I'm looking in the mirror, [00:05:00] um, and, you know, what the lesson is that I need to learn at the time. So, um, that's, that's, um, That's in terms of what the reflection says back, um, on the reverse side, um, there's been many a time where I've looked in the mirror and I haven't recognized myself, you know, through my life, uh, I'm different version to where I'm now to.

[00:05:22] Where I was growing up, uh, as a child, you know, so, but then again, as I said, I'm not, I don't believe I'm just this body, I'm much more, you know, so those are my answers to your questions. I hope that answers all 

[00:05:36] Savia Rocks: those. No, no, it's absolutely fine. It's whatever I feel resonates with you and connects with you at that time and that's how you feel and then you implement that.

[00:05:46] Into your answer to, to help other people understand who you are. So Christian free for me is if you had to define your life story with the part that stands out for [00:06:00] you, what would you tell the listeners about your path of life and how has it given you a story to tell the world? 

[00:06:08] Vijay Panchal: Well, this is a long answer.

[00:06:09] So, 

[00:06:11] Savia Rocks: okay. This is good. 

[00:06:13] Vijay Panchal: So, uh, my answer to that question is, um, I'm born in the eighties to a Indian family and my mom's side is from Kenya and, you know, she had a business in Kenya with her brothers and sisters. Uh, and my dad's side is actually from, um, India and that's where I sort of get my creativity from.

[00:06:34] So my business interest comes from my mom's side, my dad's side. Creativity comes from my dad's side. Now, in terms of my ancestors, it's always been in my blood to create, you know, I love working with my hands and creating anything DIY, et cetera. But that is because my ancestors, uh, were blacksmiths, railroad workers, goldsmiths, you know, so that, you know, and they work really hard, uh, really hard workers.

[00:06:59] And [00:07:00] there was a lot of poverty and they saw things that I probably wouldn't even see in my lifetime to be honest with you. Uh, so that's where I get my work ethic. Um, now I was raised by my grandparents, my parents, my uncles, my aunts, my cousins. Um, and they, they gave me a lot of love and I experienced the beautiful Indian culture with all its food and all the colors and all the art, you know, so I experienced, uh, I was very blessed with love.

[00:07:29] Uh, but on the flip side, there was also Uh, things that were not so comfortable to deal with, um, and not spoken about. So, it was quite confusing growing up in dual cultures, being a British Indian, uh, as there were conflicting ideas, east meets west, sort of, uh, sort of speak. So, as a child, uh, I mUsed, I didn't fit in, I was quite sensitive.

[00:07:56] socially. And so I just focused, I was the [00:08:00] boy drawing in the corner. I just focused on my special interest, which was up and I intro before I, actually I introverted into my imagination and I dreamt, uh, I had these visions and I dreamt and then I began to Assemble and organize and play. Um, and after the play, art became my therapy, my language, my freedom, my everything.

[00:08:27] So, um, it's still everything to me today. And this is where I started solving technical problems and helping my peers in my class, uh, through art and creativity. Uh, and so then I, as I grew up, I, You know, beginning helping more and more people, um, using art and creativity. And I saw that the problem of expression is a wider problem in society.

[00:08:52] Um, and now 20 percent of the population are neurodiverse like myself 

[00:08:57] Savia Rocks: and 

[00:08:57] Vijay Panchal: growing that's 12 million people. [00:09:00] Uh, and so that's why I'm helping the children doing the workshops that I'm doing to help them express themselves. So just to go back and forth into the answer in terms of timeline of my, my life.

[00:09:12] My dad is the one that showed me how to hone my skill of art and, you know, from a young age and he would always come in the room and say, Oh, you know, turn the portrait you're painting upside down. What do you see? You know, because as I said, his family come from blacksmiths, you know, they did diamond cutting and everything.

[00:09:30] So he has a creative eye, creative flair. So it was really good to have him beside me disciplining me. So I started drawing cartoons. I was really into watching TV with my brother and watching cartoons and animations. Tom and Jerry, Dragon Ball Z, you know, all sorts of cartoons. Uh, so I started copying the fan art.

[00:09:49] And at school I was studying artists such as Dali and Picasso. And so, uh, You know, fast forwarding this only recently that I started to, you know, [00:10:00] exhibit my own artwork. Now going back again in time, um, life has been very painful and challenging. Uh, from day one, you know, when I was in the womb, when I was in my mother's womb, she had, Cancer in the womb.

[00:10:15] So we were both going to die and, you know, thank God we survived. And, you know, this again makes me who I am as well. So fast forwarding a bit when I was 45 years old, my grandfather passed away. So that was a very, you know, being someone who's quite highly sent a highly sensitive person and an impact, you know, not only that, but all the grievances in my family have impacted me quite deeply.

[00:10:41] So on the neurodiverse side growing up. I was unknowingly neurodiverse. Like in the eighties, there was no support for, uh, you know, in school, I just worked hard, my uncles and aunts and family tried to help me, but they didn't really understand, you know, the challenges I was facing. Um, I used to have [00:11:00] meltdowns, shutdowns, which is why I know now what they are.

[00:11:02] But I, you know, I couldn't, when I couldn't do my homework, I would cry. I faced bully, I faced bullying and discrimination, racism, all this sort of created complex trauma. So I have CPDSD, which is. Complex trauma. And I was quite overwhelmed. Emotionally dysregulated. I struggled to communicate and express myself.

[00:11:23] Um, and things with pressure. I didn't really do well with like exams, you know, where we didn't get extra time because they didn't know that I had any issues. Um, I was always late, punctually speaking, and I was sensitive to all sorts of textures. foods, light. Um, and again, there were no quiet rooms. There weren't, there wasn't any support.

[00:11:46] And in terms of sports, I was always hyper mobile, but I didn't know it. So I was always injuring myself. And my mom was always writing notes that BJ can't do PE today. Um, so fast forwarding again, um, you know, [00:12:00] I think it's a miracle that through all that, I attained my BA honours in 2D digital animation in 2010 from the University of Hertfordshire.

[00:12:09] Um, and the second year of my degree, I did get my first sort of adult diagnosis of dyslexia, um, which, I got partial support for, but not, not the full support. So post 2010, I, um, it was, it was a recession and I struggled with employment. So, um, I worked in various different sectors and I found that. I found myself always helping others using creativity, whether it was a support worker role or whatever it was.

[00:12:45] I was often told to create workshop sessions. So fast forwarding a bit further, 2015 is What I call the sort of trigger moment in terms of my health. Fast forwarding to 2015, I [00:13:00] developed food poisoning. I got this nasty bug called Shigella, which um, I wouldn't wish on anyone. It's known to have killed elderly people and children.

[00:13:11] So, uh, I, I, after having this food poisoning, I ended up in hospital on a trip for 16 hours in a side room. And, um, you know, I won't describe the details of what my gut was going through, but, um, yeah, there was only a small window, which was slightly ajar. And that's all I could see for the time I was in the hospital.

[00:13:33] And, you know, my family visit visited me, my immediate family. But, you know, I was having some hassle from the nurse and everything. And it was just such a, it was just the, I think one of the lowest points. Because when you become sick, it's, I just, it's really difficult to explain. It's a life pivoting moment, but off the back of that, I developed many gray area ailments, um, including so [00:14:00] post infectious IBS, um, the fatigue didn't go, I had deficiencies, I developed ME CFS, which is chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain, which is called fibromyalgia.

[00:14:17] I developed all these things. Now, obviously, I would try to maintain employment, but I faced discrimination and against the Equality Act 2010, uh, which wasn't nice to experience either. Fast forwarding to 2020 is when, um, 2020 onwards is when I got my late adult diagnoses of, uh, ADHD, OCD, um, mast cell activation syndrome, which is to do with the immune system.

[00:14:48] It basically means if my immune system was a nightclub. There would be more bounces there and so that's how I've developed a histamine tolerance from that another thing that I've [00:15:00] diagnosed been diagnosed with is called dysautonomia. This simply means my nervous system is fried. So I started, you know, attaining all these labels.

[00:15:09] I said, I don't believe in labels, but all these labels are what I'm using to communicate across. What's been happening. And so currently I'm, I'm having all this, um, expensive private treatment to address all these gray area elements, chronic elements, hidden disabilities. Um, and you know, I just want to take a moment to shout out a few people if that's okay.

[00:15:30] Um, Iqbal Mohiuddin from IM Psychiatry. He has helped me a lot, him and his team. My traumatologist, Amanda Wells Traumatology. She's in Watford. Reach out to her if you can. Uh, the London Hypermobility Unit. This, this place has helped me so much with my hypermobility. And central physiotherapy, which are connected them as well.

[00:15:57] Um, and there's so [00:16:00] many other people I can mention in terms of my, um, health, Jenny, but you know, just want to fast forward a bit and answer this question. So in 2022, my friend passed away. And to this day, I don't know What happened to him? How he passed away? Um, and you know that I didn't really get closure from that situation.

[00:16:21] Um, so that really impacted me. You know, it's driven me to work on my goals more and these workshops, you know, to help Children, people express himself. It's like just even more important having experienced that. Um, Just going to bounce back and forth a little bit, uh, since 2021, I've exhibited in Hertfordshire and London, uh, much of my artwork, my character design, I create series of, uh, characters and artworks.

[00:16:52] So I've been exhibiting those. In 2023, I completed the Hatch Launchpad New Founders [00:17:00] program. And. That was amazing. Also, I've done a few business courses, creative business courses, but hatch was just, it was something quite, quite pivotal as well because it helped me to develop that growth mindset, that problem solving, you know, uh, and so I've been bootstrapping that business idea along with my, you know, managing my health issues.

[00:17:23] And I have 12 years of experience of facilitating workshops, which I've held in Hertfordshire, London, Windsor and online. So again, I want to shout out Hatch, which have been amazing. The Disability Awareness Festival. Um, Suzanne from there, who gave me the opportunity, Paola Windsor, Andrew Douglas and the team, Uncommon, uh, a second voice, which is where I met you, Savia, you know, Vanessa's doing amazing things with her team.

[00:17:57] You know, we would have this conversation if she, you know, if I hadn't [00:18:00] met her and, you know, and AIM as well, AIM is autistic, autistic inclusive meets, which is in Woolwich in London. And Emma and Owen gave me an opportunity to do a workshop there recently. You know, so like for me, just looking at this list, like, of people I'm mentioning is that's where it started with Hatch.

[00:18:17] I complete the program and then from there I went to the Disability Awareness Festival, just attended it and I met Andrew who was selling me some purple socks and I bought the purple socks and he Got me onto the Hatch Program and from there is where Parallel Wins is where I've developed my, uh, you know, workshops on a mass scale and from the back of that I've been using the material, the artwork I've created at Parallel.

[00:18:44] To deliver all these other workshops, so I mean, if one thing didn't happen, the other thing wouldn't happen, you know, I really believe in God instance, synchronicity, serendipity, so, and just the final part of my answer to this question is, you know, I'm a, I'm a [00:19:00] realist. I want to say what the problem is at hand, but.

[00:19:03] Also, you know, on a positive spin, um, it's always been for me about my visions and my dreams and how can I make them, uh, how can I make the untangible tangible? You know, um, I'm of a growth mindset, you know, uh, my environment may not have been growing up, but I am, and I've always been solving problems. You know, my apparent weaknesses.

[00:19:26] I see them as strengths, you know, such as, for example, in ADHD, having ADHD, we hyperfocus, um, but this has allowed me to get into the flow state and in the zone where I'm free from everything and I can create all that art or I'm using it now to speak to you, you know, um, I'm wired in a different way, totally different way.

[00:19:47] I'm not, you know, I, I'm visual, I see patterns, I see sequences. This is why I studied animation. Um, and ADHD has helped me create all these ideas. [00:20:00] Uh, OCD has helped me to organize all these ideas, you know? So like this, this is my message. It's that I've had much hardship. I, I persevered. I haven't let that get in the way of, you know, my goals and my visions.

[00:20:15] And I'm, it is very challenging bootstrapping a business side. They're having health issues, but, um, you know, I just want to be that sort of inspiration for perseverance in a sense that You can do it if you put your mind, you know, if you have this vision, like you can make things happen, like all the houses that you see the cars in the streets, you know, it's all been designed by someone 

[00:20:38] Savia Rocks: is 

[00:20:38] Vijay Panchal: it was an idea in someone's head first, you know, and you can look to God in the same way the trees, you know, you see the Fibonacci sequence, which is the spiral that you see in shells in nature, you know, you might see the veins of a leaf and, you know, You know, the, or the way the tree is branched out and you, you know, you will see the nervous system, you know, there's so much [00:21:00] things that I guess we don't fully understand and, you know, I just humble myself.

[00:21:04] I don't, I said, I don't know anything. Um, but I'm sharing this story. Parts of this story. I've missed out loads, but, you know, uh, that's a sort of The key points, the long answer to that question of the main sort of bits of my, uh, my life that make, you know, make me who I am and, you know, helping me tell my story.

[00:21:24] Savia Rocks: I love, I love the way that you articulated that for everyone to understand it. And you've definitely been through so many different things, you know, and, um, I always believe just like you do, everything happens for a reason, everything, and that's how you connect and meet people just like how we met, you know, and sometimes you may not, a lot of people in the world may not feel like their story has substance to share, but the one beautiful thing that I love being able to do is to let Everyone know that we all have a story inside us.

[00:21:56] It just takes the right person to be able to pull that [00:22:00] story out of you, to let everybody else know there is a story inside you, which you can share with the world. And sometimes we think our stories are not worthy because we're not seeing the impact or effect that our stories have to people. But a lot of the time, one of the things that I will say is When you do share your story with people, there are millions of people in the world who will listen to it.

[00:22:23] And in the background, without you knowing, good karma will come to you because you're helping those people understand that they are not by themselves. And I think that is a beautiful thing to be able to do in the world. And the more that we do that selflessly, the more that we're able to help people understand that there are people who have substance within themselves and their story who are in past just like yourself and want to be able to help people.

[00:22:50] So thank you for sharing that. Can you walk me through a day in your life from when you wake up in the morning? This, [00:23:00] I actually love this question 'cause it's quite fun as well because you can be really creative with it. So can you walk me through a day in your life from when you wake up in the morning to when you become really creative?

[00:23:11] So when you're having a passionate idea or feeling like your ideas are all over the place, because us creative people, our minds are completely different worldwide, completely differently to spending time with family and then deciding to rest. What is a day like in Vijay's life? 

[00:23:34] Vijay Panchal: Well, a day in my world is, is quite challenging.

[00:23:37] It's, it's full of a lot of pain. It's a full of a lot of challenges, but Um, blessings also. So I'm a night owl. I've always been a night owl since I was little and I struggled to sleep. Are you a night owl also? 

[00:23:51] Savia Rocks: I am always, literally. So I would wake up, well, I wake up really early at five o'clock and then I'd meditate and then I would, you know, do my daily tUss [00:24:00] and whatnot.

[00:24:01] And then later on in the day, for some reason, say anything around nine o'clock, my brain would start to tick a lot faster. And it can go on VJ until four or five in the morning sometimes. And sometimes I don't sleep because I feel like the adrenaline of my creativity is having that moment. And that's why a lot of people who are quite formal people And maybe financial people or the people who do a nine to five and there's nothing wrong with a nine to five.

[00:24:37] I will always stipulate that there is nothing wrong with it, but they will never understand how our mind works and I think That's what makes us geniuses in a way, I think is the, the empath of creativity within us to be able to express that. 

[00:24:57] Vijay Panchal: I think, I think so too. I think we are [00:25:00] wired differently. It's, it's near diverse, whatever label you want to use.

[00:25:04] Um, yeah, I think we're in sync with colors and we're in sync with what you just said there. So, uh, in terms of my day, I, as I said, I struggled to wake up early. Have a lot of pain, have a lot of fatigue, which is just that that's the challenge already. So I'm no stranger to discomfort and pain, but pain helps you grow.

[00:25:24] Right? So the, what I do in the morning, like before this session here is, uh, my man, I deploy my management strategies and I move, um, this actually is in line with a organization called movement. What movement works, I think that are helping, uh, new diverse children and adults realize the correlation between.

[00:25:47] The body and movement and neurodiversity. So I'm just throwing that in there. But I do my movement, I do my physio. Uh, I try to stretch, stretch because my body's in stiff and in pain. I do my [00:26:00] guided visualizations. I do my meditation. I do my prayer. I do a lot of things in terms of my management strategy, and I do intermittent fasting as well.

[00:26:09] So I break my fast break, fast, break my fast. After 12, I try and go as long as I can without food abstain fast because this is where the body heal, uh, can heal itself and regenerate. So, um, I fast, I tend to my nutrition and, um, my supplemental and medicinal needs. Uh, so there's, there's, I've worked out there's things that work and things that don't work in terms of nutritional supplements and herbs and medications and things.

[00:26:44] So I take those. And this is when I sort of wind up a bit more, uh, because I have a lot of brain fog as well. Um, and you know, cognitive issues, memory issues. So, uh, I then go into sort of admin [00:27:00] tUss, emails, financial, any meetings, uh, any medical appointments. Obviously, the first bit of the morning that I described will go if there's an appointment or a meeting or anything like that, but if I don't do these, these things, it's very difficult to be present in the moment, you know, so I need to sort of check in and be aligned to be able to receive and, you know, You know, the reflections and the teachings of my teachers, who I believe are everyone around me, you know, so, um, that's you included.

[00:27:31] So, you know, once I've done the nutritional, sorry, the, the admin stuff, I fast forwarding, I will have lunch at some point and at the minute I'm enjoying salads a lot, you know, like raw veggies is helping me a lot, you know. Uh, and it's helped me manage some of my recent health, other health issues as well.

[00:27:52] So then I would, in the afternoon, again, any more appointments, I will tend to any family issues, anything like that. [00:28:00] And when it gets to the sort of late afternoon, evening time is where I start working on promotion and networking, things like that, because I want to reach. You know, reach people, reach the world, as I said earlier, you know, people are listening and, you know, there might be a person struggling who wants to listen, who wants some, you know, inspiration or wants, you know, help.

[00:28:20] So, I do that and then after, after dinner, which is around 6, 7pm, um, I try to eat earlier as, you know, as I said with the intermittent fasting, um, I will, I will then, you know, tend to my, Creative endeavors. And I will like, for example, since January to June for six months, I've created the 20 anthropomorphic characters that are designed for Parallel Windsor, which is a diversity disability festival, uh, in Windsor Great Park, uh, shout out to Andrew Douglas, who's the CEO and the team, uh, who gave me the opportunity to, to work there.

[00:28:58] So that, so that's been like the six months of [00:29:00] the first six months of this year, uh, has been. You know, just, you know, working really hard and using a graphic tablet, graphics tablet. Drawing all those characters into, you know, Photoshop and, uh, it creates a lot of pain, you know, the repetitive motions with my conditions, but persevere, push through, look at the bigger, bigger cause.

[00:29:22] So sometimes I get creative in the afternoons as well. It depends what the priority is, if that makes sense. And then as it gets later, this is going to sound a bit weird, but I started. So, so from the hash program, I've developed an interest in data analytics and I've started to learn programming. So. Uh, I will do some of my programming online and learn some, you know, some different types of coding or anything like that that could be even late night or for, you know, if I'm on a commute somewhere or anything like that, uh, and then it gets.

[00:29:56] You know, to the late night, which is where, again, I struggle. I've got ideas. I've got [00:30:00] things like yourself, you know, I've got things to do, you know, but I need to sort of have downtime and facilitate that. So it's weird. I wouldn't advise this to people. This is not what's typically advised, but I watch Netflix and I need something on to be able to go to sleep.

[00:30:15] So Netflix will be on or Primer be on or something that will be on to distract me. And, you know, I do again, my whatever, uh, medicinal protocol, you know, Routine that I need to do to sort of deregulate. You know, and so calm down because my default is, is, is I'm hype. I was walking at six months old. I was running at six months old, according to my parents, you know, so I'm always hyped.

[00:30:41] So it's the balance between moving, being hype and sort of being still and actually listening. being present. So that's my daily routine. I don't know if you want to share your thoughts. 

[00:30:53] Savia Rocks: No, I love the fact that it's similar to mine to be quite fair. What I what I know what is quite funny, what I [00:31:00] normally do to try and wind down is listen to Jazz music and, and different types of jazz music.

[00:31:06] I love the piano, um, so that helps me a lot to be able to wind down and also read a good book that helps. And usually the book ends up falling on my face because, because obviously as you, you're listening to music that really intertwines with your soul and you're reading a book at that same time, it helps to, I don't know, energize.

[00:31:33] Shift your energy into different places to a place of, of peace and that helps a lot for me. Um, I know quite a few people who will watch a movie, just have it in the background and it does distract you because you know it's there and then all of a sudden you feel yourself slowly. It's kind of like hypnotherapy.

[00:31:52] It's like you're trying to give yourself hypnotherapy in a while. It's really cool to be able to do. And yeah, [00:32:00] I would tell people to, to try and find something that resonates with their soul, 

[00:32:07] Vijay Panchal: sound and vibration. I think we all sound energy, vibration, light, whatever you want to call it. Prana, chi, spirit, whatever label one wants to use.

[00:32:19] Uh, this is why I say I'm spirit. So, uh, and I believe in God. So. There's a mission for me here on this plane that we're on, you know, on like it's, and for me, time, I mean, time is relative. You can view it how you wish, but for me, I have a very important goal. Um, and hence why I really appreciate this opportunity to speak on it.

[00:32:41] And for me, it's about I'm connected to source and it's all about alignment, alignment, you know, everything we need is already here around us. You know, as I said, the trees have been designed. You know, the, the, the cars and everything, it's all, the resources are all here. It's just, we need to align [00:33:00] to be able to fulfill our purpose, our mission, our vision on this earth.

[00:33:04] And, um, you know, while we're here, um, so I just wanted to say that off the back of what you said there about, you know, energy, vibration, uh, 

[00:33:18] Savia Rocks: yeah, that makes a lot of sense to me. So my next question for you, Vijay, is could you talk to me? About why you decided to to do what you do in a sense and help children because I've seen it You know what?

[00:33:32] I've realized in life There's one thing about Talking about it and then there's one thing about actually seeing it done. So if it doesn't mind I'm just gonna I'm just gonna talk about what I've seen you do Okay. When you're in an environment where they are beautifully gifted, and this is how I say it, because people like to put labels, I don't believe in labels too.

[00:33:57] So for me, high five, [00:34:00] right with you. So I believe in life that none of us should be defined by any type of label. Society decides, society decides to label you just so that they can put you in a box or a bracket. And that keeps you. in one place. It makes you feel stiff. It makes you feel like you can't breathe because they're saying that I am this and I can't do this.

[00:34:24] That's not true at all. We are all beautiful, beautifully gifted people in the world. And our gifts show that. And one of the things that The reason why I say this is because when you see children who, and adults, who see, do and hear things from a different perspective, different angles, um, even when you said to me, it's funny that you said it and I completely agree with you.

[00:34:54] So you said to me that you see everything kind of like in a graphical way. So for example, [00:35:00] I understand what you're saying. Whereas other people might not. So let me see if I can articulate this. So when you say you see people in a graphical way, you could look at someone and to and to other people might just be like you're looking at another human being.

[00:35:13] But to you, you see the visual graphics of how someone's face is visually moving and how their hair is moving, how their mouth is moving. It's all completely on a different spectrum. How we all do things, 

[00:35:30] Vijay Panchal: you know, they're trying to express, express themselves, but the children are literally the future.

[00:35:35] Savia Rocks: Yeah, 

[00:35:35] Vijay Panchal: they are. They could, that child I'm be in the workshop with could literally be the next PM could be the next celebrity. It could be the next influencer. It could be the next, you know, whoever, sports person, Olympian. And they could go away years later and say, oh, I did that workshop and you know, so and so, and et cetera, et cetera.

[00:35:55] Right. But I'm doing this because. As I said, I'm the child from the eighties that [00:36:00] didn't get the full support. There were people trying to help me, but I didn't get the full support in terms of neurodiversity, trauma, et cetera, you know, and I made it thus far. And there's such a huge amount of crises in terms of like mentor off in terms of children, just, you know, there's, there's an organization I follow called young minds and.

[00:36:20] You know, they're highlighting the issues to do with children and, you know, depression, anxiety, and, you know, all this stuff and like, you know, I don't want children who are the future. I don't want the future to struggle like I've, I did in the past, if that makes sense. So I just wanted to add that in to say that this is why I'm doing what I'm doing.

[00:36:39] That's why it's so important to do what I'm doing. Um, in terms of being proud, I actually try and do the opposite is be more humble. Uh, I'm just trying to be humble with everything, you know, as I said, like being so sick, you know, to the point nearly on the verge of death, you know, like [00:37:00] You know, seeing all this sort of destruction and death in my life is, and pain, it highlights what a blessing it is to be alive, you know?

[00:37:09] And the short time, in a sense, that I have to complete my mission, which, in a sense, has already been completed, though. Um, because, I mean, we're here, you know? 

[00:37:21] Savia Rocks: That's true. 

[00:37:21] Vijay Panchal: It's, we showed up, you showed up, I showed up. We're here, we're sharing this with the world. You know, with those that are struggling, that are not heard, that are not seen, that don't believe themselves, you know, and have a low self worth, and we're saying, you know, like, look, you got an idea in your head, you want to do something, you want to be something, you are something, you already are something, you are someone, you don't need to try and be like X, Y, Z, because there is no normal, you know, there's no normal, we're all equally weird, which is cool, you know, and so be you, do you, you know, and if you have this vision in your head, you can make it happen.

[00:37:55] Like, it's just about breaking it down into, [00:38:00] uh, baby steps and you can make it happen. So I've kind of diverged it, um, I don't know if I answered your question, but 

[00:38:06] Savia Rocks: no, it makes complete sense. Listen, listen, everything happens at the right time for the right reason. And whatever is in your mind at that particular time, it comes out and it, and it just blesses everyone or you just say how you feel.

[00:38:18] And even if two people align with each other, but. on the spectrum of aligning, they come slightly off scale. That's how it was meant to be, because that's what creates conversations and makes people's minds spark. So I've only got two more for you. And the second to last one is, when was the last time you remember feeling totally at peace with yourself?

[00:38:46] Vijay Panchal: It happens every day when I pray, to be honest. That's when I feel peace. I, you know, in my life, it's been difficult to have peace, but because of all the things I've mentioned before, but now I think [00:39:00] it's, uh, it's, it's getting easier, you know, aligning the source, what is God, you know, like tuning in, like learning the so called problems and the, you know, the challenges that I've had that I didn't know.

[00:39:15] You know, now I'm more aware, so more conscious. So, you know, I can, I can go to that place. It takes a lot of work, but I can go to that base and a piece, you know, uh, enjoy and love and trust. It's possible. Uh, so that's my answer to your question there. 

[00:39:34] Savia Rocks: No, I love that. So I would love for everyone to be able to find you on all your social media platforms, any courses that you do for adults or children, how can they find you get in contact with you, but even just have a conversation with yourself because it's embracing to just even do that.

[00:39:51] And that can help so many parents and families understand exactly what you've been through and what they are going through. [00:40:00] 

[00:40:01] Vijay Panchal: Uh, well, I'm, I'm on my journey. I'm, I'm building myself up. I haven't, you know, there's a lot of work to do in terms of the business side of things. Uh, but you can find me, uh, at Vijay Panchal fine artists on Instagram.

[00:40:16] And I'm also on LinkedIn as well, where I'm very transparent with, uh, my profile, what I'm going through and put posts up on there. Uh, I'm not so much on Facebook, um, and other things because. I, because of my new diversity, I struggle with this current age of information and, um, uh, like keeping up with all this, uh, all this information is moving so fast, you know, so, but I'm happy to get my, you know, if you want my number, if you want my email address, you have those, you know, uh, so if anyone listening to this, if you want any help, if you want, You know, because I, I have information on not just creativity, but like health, you know, like different things.

[00:40:59] [00:41:00] And I'm always sharing that information, you know, if I, if I'm tuned in, you know, and actually this is another thing. It's, I tried to be, I tried to follow my intuition and my gut instinct and, um, like what color top I was going to wear today. 

[00:41:14] Savia Rocks: We're both wearing the same color. I literally, 

[00:41:18] Vijay Panchal: that was a last minute decision, you know, um, so sorry, I'm sidetracking, but yeah, my details have you, if anyone wants to reach me.

[00:41:25] You know, please reach me and I'm happy to help share information. I don't want anyone to struggle on their own, you know, if it's the parents with the children, they know what to do. Like, I don't have all the answers, but if I know something, I'll share it with you. So, at Vij Pancho fine artist, you know, s reach out to s She can give you my, my details and my email, my mobile number.

[00:41:47] I give her permission. So, uh, and I have my website. It's not fully updated, but it's vj pancho.weebly.com. Uh, so if you want to follow me on there as well, um, [00:42:00] that's me. I'm just, I'm a work in progress. Uh, but, uh, yeah, feel free to reach out to me. 

[00:42:06] Savia Rocks: Listen, you're a positive work in progress. See it that way. 

[00:42:09] Vijay Panchal: I like that.

[00:42:10] I like that. 

[00:42:10] Savia Rocks: See, always see life that way. Always see life as your cup is halfway full, and then the rest will fill it up, and then it will just abundantly flow over, so then you'll give anyways. It's just one of those things that happens in life. So, Vijay, I want to thank you so much for taking your time.

[00:42:28] And no matter how many technical issues we went through, it's been a blessing. We won, and that in itself is a beautiful thing. So thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, your kindness, your story, more importantly, and just being able to help people in the world to understand that they are not alone.

[00:42:48] Vijay Panchal: Well, I just got to say, Salvia, thank you for this opportunity. I can't thank you enough. Like, it's just, it's such a blessing to be able to, you know, be in this safe space that you facilitate to, [00:43:00] share my life experience, you know, what, what I've been through and what I'm doing, you know, uh, you know, I can't thank you enough, you know, and I'm just so happy.

[00:43:10] It's so aligned. It was so, so sync synchronized. And, you know, It's just, it's just a blessing. So I would say to people, check out Savia, check out what she's doing on us people, you know, and, you know, it's just awesome. Thank you. 

[00:43:25] Savia Rocks: Thank you. Thank you so much, guys. I want to thank you so much for listening to the Us people podcast.

[00:43:31] And please remember. You can listen and subscribe by going to any platform that you choose to. You can also leave us a review on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or any platform that you prefer to listen to. Watch, it's completely up to you. You'll also follow us on Facebook, Instagram you can also donate to the Us People podcast so we can continue to hear beautiful stories that help impact people all over the world.

[00:43:57] And give them the information and [00:44:00] education that they deserve and need guys. This is where I say to you. Thank you so much again for listening. Stay happy. Stay positive. And as always, please continue to be kind to another.

[00:44:42] Vijay Panchal: I'm so grateful, honestly, I, nothing was put on, on me, on camera, off camera, this is it. You know, so I'm just, it's just so cool, like, ah, it's just such a blessing, you know, just it's awesome. Well, the, the technical thoughts. I'm glad they were technical faults because [00:45:00] it just drove us more to get this, you know.

[00:45:02] Yeah, it was true. Yeah, it's good. It is a blessing. 

[00:45:06] Savia Rocks: It's true. We were more determined to get it done just because of it.

[00:45:34] Spread your wings and let the wind guide you high. Spread your wings and let the wind guide you high. We're just soaring through this journey. Leaving fear far behind. Arms are full of courage. You can win if you try. We got red pans to you. You'll see the power of the mess if you try. [00:46:00] I fly like I'm Superman.

[00:46:03] Spread your wings and let them win. I