Furzana Hayat is a coach, aspiring speaker, and advocate for caregivers who transforms her own life experiences into a source of strength for others. After losing her husband to cancer and navigating six and a half years as his caregiver, she now guides women over 40—especially those who have lost a partner—towards reclaiming their identities and stepping into fulfilling new chapters. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and self-discovery, and it inspires millions in our community working toward the mission of supporting women worldwide.
Q: Can you share what inspired your journey into coaching and advocacy?
My journey began when I lost my husband to cancer in 2014 after caring for him for over six years. That experience taught me how invisible caregivers often feel. We give everything to the person we’re caring for and, in the process, lose ourselves. After his passing, I realized I had lost not only my partner but also my own sense of identity. That’s when I began my journey of rediscovery and decided to support women who’ve gone through similar experiences.
Q: Who do you focus on helping through your work?
I primarily guide women over 40 who have loved and lost, and who are now lost themselves. I help them honor their journey, reclaim their true selves, and confidently move forward. Beyond that, my message applies broadly because I’ve seen that self-doubt and lack of confidence affect so many of us. Ultimately, it’s about empowerment and personal growth.
Q: You’ve mentioned wanting to advocate for caregivers. Why is that so important to you?
Caregivers are the silent heroes, but their sacrifices often go unnoticed. I want to create safe spaces—whether online or in hospitals—where caregivers can share their feelings, release their guilt, and feel supported. I always say, “carers need caring too.” If you’re caring for someone else, you must care for yourself first.
Q: What challenges have you faced in building your business and vision?
Honestly, my biggest challenge is consistency. I’ve always lived a free-flowing life, so creating structure and holding myself accountable is tough. I’m also not naturally drawn to social media, which makes content creation harder. But I’ve embraced tools like AI to help me, and I’m learning to balance coaching, writing, and speaking.
Q: What are your future plans?
I’m writing a book called “Be Self-ish” about the importance of self-care, and I’m developing courses and preparing for speaking engagements in the coming year. My goal is to balance coaching with speaking opportunities while continuing to advocate for caregivers.
Q: What message would you like to leave our readers with?
We’re all stronger than we think we are. And self-care isn’t selfish—it’s self-ish. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so filling yourself up first allows you to give so much more to others.
“Take care of yourself first. It’s not selfish—it’s self-ish. When you honor yourself, you become a better caregiver, parent, partner, and human being.” – Furzana Hayat
Connect with Furzana Hayat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furzana-hayat-186410335/
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