Engineer, Yogi, Mother, Survivor, Hamilton, Canada

“In October 2018, I was called to an appointment at Toronto General Hospital. Without revealing who it was, the doctor told me they identified a liver donor for me and surgery was scheduled for the following Monday. For over a year I’ve been hoping and mentally preparing for this moment —my hospital bag, always packed and waiting by the door—but still, l was shocked. The Friday before the surgery, my husband and I went to our friends’ place for dinner, to share the good news. Before the chicken was even served, Carolyn burst out, “Oh, thank God, we can finally tell you! Ian is the donor! He’d gone through all the medical tests to see if he could help. He even cut out all alcohol and went on a shake-based diet to get down to the qualifying weight!” Overjoyed, I looked at Ian. I’d worked with him for years. I’d known his kids since they were babies. Now he was willing to risk his health for mine. I asked him, “Are you sure?” He was.”

Ms. Sarah Jha, a good friend for many years, is a tough cookie. I've been aware of her health struggles and have cheered for her family all the way to recovery. Still, reading above brought me to tears - it’s encouraging to feel hopeful about humanity, even through the direst of circumstances, and witness people showing up for one another. Proud to know Sarah, thankful for the lessons, for the beautiful family she created and for all the support over the years.

- Olga Shmaidenko, Founder of WOW Woman.

1. Name.

Sarah Marie Kathaleen Jha.

2. Where is your hometown?

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

In no particular order I am a Reliability Engineer at a Steel Plant by study, Yoga Instructor and a student from my heart and a mom (wife). But mostly I’m just a person traveling on this journey of life. My day varies, but I always start it with waking my daughter up and getting her ready for school. After that, I’m either off to workout, practice or prepare a yoga class or go off to work at the steel plant.

4. What did you study in school?

Mechanical Engineering.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

Growing up in Toronto, I had a normal, fun Canadian childhood. I later went to university in a nearby city, studied mechanical engineering and upon graduation got a job at a steel manufacturing plant. I eventually met my husband there, got married and had a wonderful daughter. A year and a half later, I suddenly lost my mother; three months after that I became ill with a disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. It is an autoimmune disease which affects the liver - my body effectively thinks part of my liver is a disease, attacks and ends up destroying it. The only treatment is a liver transplant.

Although my disease made me tired and very weak, making intense exercise out of the question, I still craved movement. That’s when I tried yoga. I fell in love with not only the movement aspect but also the spiritual portion of the practice. Yoga helped me navigate the grief I felt after the loss of my mom and it helped me cope with my disease. 

“Discovering yoga practice was effectively the light bulb moment for me. Yoga changed everything, it kept me going and surviving through all the side effects of my illness, hospital visits, the sadness of not having my mom to talk to and a sudden lack of direction in my life. Yoga gave me strength to be cheerful and bright for my daughter.”

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I pictured myself to be extremely career-oriented and while I am driven to do the best I can in my engineering career, it is not what drives me in my heart. I also want to add that I feel much younger compared to what I thought a 42-year-old woman would be.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet? 

Three months before I stopped working due to all the side effects of my disease, my mother suddenly passed away. At that time, I was at my lowest. Believing in myself and taking up yoga brought me back up on my feet.

8. Advice for other women?

Trust yourself because it is you who knows you better than anyone else. Know that the current situation in your life will not be the same forever, so give yourself some grace every day and do your very best to share that grace with others.

9. Knowing what we know now in the current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Working in a male-dominated environment of a steel plant I can tell you that women can definitely be all that they can be! Opportunities, that the generation before wouldn’t even dream of, are there and available for the taking. However, if a woman wants to be a mother and provide for her children, she needs to be able to fulfill both needs without feeling guilty for one or the other. I think that it is up to employers to understand and accept that. This understanding requires more women in leadership roles, especially in the executive levels.

10. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

Besides yoga, my fitness journey post-transplant is something I am quite proud of. I set goals for myself: (1) become stronger and (2) make my bones stronger through weight training. I have osteoporosis  – a side effect of my liver disease –  and broke my humerus bone at the shoulder, three months post transplant.  I wanted to make sure that would never happen again.

I have been working with a personal trainer for two years; I’m so proud of my strength improvements and other health gains I’ve been able to achieve. 

11. Have you travelled solo? If so, which were some of the most memorable destinations and why? Why do you travel and would you recommend it to women?

I have never travelled solo. However, today I would be totally up for it!

13. What/who inspires you?

People who feel grace and compassion for others, because each of us faces unique challenges in life.

14. What are you hopeful about?

I am hopeful that our planet will find peace with the earth and with each other.

15. What are some ingredients to a good life? How did the global pandemic change your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Patience, understanding and time spent with those you love. The pandemic emphasized that slowing down in this fast paced life is better for the body and the soul.

16. What is your superpower?

My superpower is letting small annoyances slide by, not dwelling on them.

17. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self? What advice would your 14-year-old self give you in return?

I would tell my 14-year-old self that everything works out in the end; just trust yourself. Advice from my 14-year-old self wouldn’t amount to much, as she was very shy!

18. What are you reading now? (What books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I am reading ‘Journey to the Heart’ by Melody Beattie.

19. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

There are many women whom I encounter daily who are WOW Women; they live each day with a full heart and a kind spirit. I would tell them that they are seen, I admire that they embody brightness and love.