A LETTER FROM

SEVA KAUR

I’m just going to start by bluntly saying that I began The Science of Well because I was dying. Not in the “we’re all dying” way. No, I was killing myself. The story of how The Science of Well came to be isn’t all sunshine, lollipops, and roses. After 5 years on Wall Street followed by 5 years in academia I decided the only career that was more stressful than my prior work was that of a startup founder. After 20 years of jobs that consistently rank as the most stressful you can do my body was giving up. I had been diagnosed with the systemic health issues that plague our country – diabetes, high blood pressure…all the classics…only to ignore them. I continued to work non-stop following the “grind mindset.” I didn’t take a vacation for more than 5 years straight. I would try meditation and yoga and working out for a few days after every doctor appointment, but nothing stuck and honestly I wasn’t motivated to try that hard.

Finally, after the universe got tired of throwing subsequently ignored red flags at me I started having health problems that I couldn’t ignore. I started fainting while waiting for my coffee almost daily. I couldn’t bend over without having cerebrospinal fluid leak out of my nose. Bruises from brushing up against pillows on my couch would stay on my body for months. I suffered from unimaginable pelvic pain that was followed by bleeding for weeks on end. Clearly, something was wrong. After weeks of lab tests and visits to every specialist known to mankind, I got the call that nobody wanted while I was at a work dinner in Singapore. I had a fairly aggressive type of cancer and if I didn’t act swiftly I would die. I wasn’t that old, but it was clear that my body had given up. But I soldiered on and started my battle.

 Everyone knows that when you get cancer your life changes. But what they don’t tell you is that it is a complete 180-degree shift. You can no longer deny to yourself or those around you that something is wrong. You have to change.

Changing my life wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I completely freed up my life so that all of my time was devoted to healing myself. I deleted most contacts from my phone. I deleted all my social media accounts. I got rid of food delivery services. I bought a farm, a puppy, and some chickens. I essentially turned so inward that I was a full-on hermit when not at the hospital.

My days were 100% devoted to getting well and getting my life back on track. I did anything and everything that could help me get better. I started doing reiki monthly and eventually ended up doing twice-a-week sessions. I was in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for 3 hours a week. Each Friday night I was in a Yin Yoga class held by candlelight. After trying almost every kind of meditation, I turned to the ancient Hindu meditation traditions and started meditating for 20 minutes every morning and 20 minutes every evening; eventually, I worked up to an hour each sitting. I’m not going to lie the days spent lying in hospital beds or staring at my chemotherapy port were hard. I genuinely thought I would die without knowing what it’s like to live. But slowly but surely I came out on the other side.

After years of living without a spiritual compass, I dove headfirst into finding my north star. I was raised Buddhist but after falling for the allure of clout and external validation that is offered by social media I had forgotten most teachings. I had used time as my sword and shield against getting to know myself and the universe for years. As soon as I was able to travel after chemotherapy and radiation I went into full “find myself” mode. I spent years studying with yogis and monks in India at the same temple and monastery that my ancestors had. I was silent most days. I returned to my maternal homeland of Japan and dove into learning the language and ancient Ainu ways of living of my grandmother and her mother before her. For the first time in my adult life, I began to feel truly alive and at peace with the world. I felt connected to the universe and I knew what my place in it was.

It is clear to me now that our modern way of life is fundamentally at odds with what our bodies, minds, and spirits need to thrive. We started The Science of Well not just to share my story, but to create a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern healing. Every technique, every practice we offer has been tested not just through scientific research, but through deep personal experience - my own journey from corporate burnout to vibrant health.

I believe that true healing requires more than just treating symptoms - it demands a fundamental shift in how we relate to ourselves, our bodies, and the universe around us. Whether you're facing burnout, health challenges, or simply seeking a more balanced life, The Science of Well is here to guide you toward wholeness, combining time-tested healing modalities with modern understanding.

My journey from Wall Street and Founder to wellness wasn't just about surviving cancer - it was about discovering what it truly means to be alive. Now, I invite you to join us in this exploration of deep, lasting well-being. Together, we can create a future where wellness isn't just a luxury, but a way of life.

With gratitude and hope,

Seva