In a recent episode of The Day with Trae, guest host Deaunte Damper filled in for Trae Holiday and welcomed Bharath Kumar Arekapudi to discuss his journey in mental health advocacy, his books, and the unique approach he takes to well-being. Arekapudi, the founder of Shift Left, is a certified NLP and life coach, Reiki practitioner, best-selling author, and keynote speaker, who has found a novel way to blend his IT background with mental health strategies.

Arekapudi shared how his career in IT for over 20 years led him to his current path after a pivotal moment when he experienced a layoff. This life event made him realize that despite his professional success, he had not been investing in his own mental health. This prompted him to explore ways to maintain mental wellness proactively, much like the “shift left” approach used in software development. In IT, "shift left" refers to identifying and addressing issues early in the development process rather than waiting until the end, and Arekapudi saw the potential to apply this concept to mental health.

He explained, “Instead of waiting for a mental health crisis to arise, we can incorporate proactive practices, just as we do in IT to prevent issues later.” Arekapudi has coined terms like "priority zero," which he uses to emphasize that mental health should be the top priority, just like high-priority tasks in project management. His workshops and coaching sessions utilize familiar IT terminologies and strategies to connect with his peers, making mental health practices more accessible and relatable.

Arekapudi’s two books, Ego and Empathy and Mind Fitness Through IT Strategies, delve into his philosophy and approach. In Ego and Empathy, he explores the balance between ego and empathy from both professional and spiritual perspectives. In his latest book, Mind Fitness Through IT Strategies, he offers practical, IT-based tools for mental wellness. He provides examples like turning daily "scrum meetings" into quick personal check-ins to manage stress and plan breaks—strategies designed to resonate with IT professionals who are already familiar with such practices.

Arekapudi's passion for mental health advocacy was inspired by his 15-year-old daughter, who is also an author and mental health advocate. He expressed pride in her work and shared how her journey influenced his own.

For more information, reach out to Arekapudi online at info@shiftleftllc.com. His books are available on his website and on Amazon.

To see more guests like Arekapudi, tune in with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.