GUNEL KRISHNAN shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
GUNEL, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first thing I do when I wake up is move. No matter what, I start my day with five minutes of stretching and yoga. It’s a habit I’ve kept since my late 20s, and it truly sets the tone for my body and mind. It wakes me up, grounds me, and gives me a sense of control over the day before anything else begins.
Then it’s all about my family. I take care of my kids, prepare their breakfast, and get them ready for school on weekdays. On weekends, our mornings usually revolve around activities and family plans.
During the week, once the kids are out the door, I head into my workout room for my daily training. I spend about an hour exercising, typically walking around two miles on the treadmill followed by 20 to 30 minutes of full-body strength training. This is honestly the part of my morning I look forward to the most. It boosts my energy, stabilizes my mood, and reminds me why I prioritize my health. I believe deeply in movement. I’m not someone who can stay still for too long. Being physically and mentally active is essential for me.
That morning workout gives me a sense of accomplishment before the day even truly begins. I feel proud of myself, strong, focused, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
And of course, no morning is complete without my cappuccino or latte macchiato. I usually skip breakfast and go straight to lunch around noon or early afternoon that rhythm works best for my body.
Overall, those first 90 minutes are about discipline, consistency, and self-respect. I train five days a week, walk at least two miles a day, and I don’t negotiate with my commitment to my health. I do it for myself, for my family, and for the future. My goal is to grow stronger every day not just physically, but in the way I live my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Gunel Krishnan, and I’m the founder of Gleam Big — a personal brand and creative platform built around storytelling, connection, and growth. Through my work as a social media influencer, speaker, and community leader, I share my own journey to inspire others to embrace change, adapt with confidence, and grow into their fullest potential.
I was born and raised in Azerbaijan, where I spent 10 years working in media as a television host and radio host, leading both morning and evening shows. That experience shaped my voice, strengthened my ability to communicate with diverse audiences, and ignited my passion for storytelling.
At the heart of Gleam Big is my belief that our stories connect us. I use my platform to build meaningful bridges between cultures and traditions, helping people understand one another beyond labels and differences, and creating space for honest conversations about identity, transformation, and belonging.
From 2018 to 2024, I also served as a leader within the Azerbaijani Association of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and advocating for the Azerbaijani community. Through that work, I collaborated with local officials, built long-term relationships with civic leaders, and helped establish a stronger, more visible, and more recognized community presence.
I’m currently expanding Gleam Big through a growing social media presence, public and keynote speaking engagements, and preparing to launch a new podcast channel that will continue these conversations spotlighting voices, experiences, and ideas that inspire growth, understanding, and positive change.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the moments that most shaped how I see the world was leaving Azerbaijan and starting a new life in the United States. It wasn’t just a change of country it was a change of identity, language, comfort, and certainty. I went from being confident and established in media and public life to starting over in a place where everything felt unfamiliar.
That experience taught me humility, resilience, and deep empathy. It showed me how powerful and fragile belonging can be, and how much courage it takes to adapt. Over time, I learned that growth doesn’t come from following the limits of what’s already been defined as “success,” but from trusting your inner voice.
I owe a lot of that transformation to my life coach, Mary Shoessler, who helped me find my voice and follow my gut rather than the boundaries of established success. And I owe just as much to my husband, whose constant support and belief in me gave me the confidence to keep going, even when the path was uncertain.
Since then, I don’t see people as “different” I see them as becoming. Becoming stronger, braver, more open, more aware. That perspective is what drives everything I do today with Gleam Big: helping others navigate change, honor their roots, and grow into the next version of themselves.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. There was a moment after I moved to the United States when I felt completely untethered. I had left behind a life where I knew who I was, what I was good at, and where I belonged. Suddenly, I was starting from zero in a new culture, a new system, a new version of myself.
There were days when the gap between who I used to be and who I was trying to become felt overwhelming. I questioned my voice, my purpose, and whether any of it would truly matter in this new place.
What stopped me from giving up was remembering that growth is not supposed to be comfortable. It’s supposed to stretch you. I leaned on the people who believed in me and slowly I learned to trust my own instincts again. Instead of chasing the old version of success, I started building something new, something real, something aligned with who I was becoming.
That turning point didn’t just save my work it reshaped my life.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Respect, especially for people’s stories and identities.
I believe culture is not just tradition or language; it’s how we listen, treat one another, and make space for someone else’s experience without judgment or comparison. I protect the idea that every person’s story deserves dignity. Whether someone is navigating change, challenges, or growth, their journey matters.
This value guides everything I do with Gleam Big: the conversations I start, the bridges I build between communities, and the way I show up for others and for myself.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I will regret not trying the things I’ve always been afraid of or thought weren’t for me. I actually love the feeling of discomfort and challenge it’s energizing for me. When someone tells me I can’t do something, it usually works in reverse: I become more determined and genuinely curious to see how well I can rise to the challenge.For me, growth and fulfillment come from leaning into what scares me, testing my limits, and embracing the unknown rather than avoiding it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gleambig.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gleambig/
Image Credits
Vika Photography
https://www.vikaplot.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnIEyfP1qym1xJOcpIxTjmAal4F3O0o_kC2baKR95Req5z5UcqnaeI4NiYgCE_aem_rcmHCkYCYI3Kvtp2oNl93Q
