My Story
I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and received an American education from the age of 9. My first love was dancing (Zeynep at age 3: “I want to go to a serious ballet school!”), and I always loved both the sciences and the humanities. My university years reflected this: I studied Engineering and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and danced as much as I could. After graduation, I fell into the tech start-up world and worked as a Product Manager and Head of Product in various companies for 14 years.
As this path was unfolding, I had several moments of “awakening”: The first was when my father died of a sudden heart attack just before my senior year at university. I was 21. My childhood had been marked by ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and a long history of generational trauma in my family, so this loss sent me into a deep grief and depression that lasted for 6 years. I felt torn: part me “woke up” and wanted to truly live, knowing life could end at any moment. Another part felt lost, unsure what I actually wanted, beyond doing what I was “supposed to do”. During that time, I discovered books on mindfulness and meditation, and experienced the immense relief and freedom of keeping my attention in the present moment, as it unfolded. I slowly started unraveling from being stuck in the past or anxious about the future.
The second turning point came in 2016, when the start-up I worked for in Istanbul shut down. I bought a one-way ticket to Europe to follow a long-held dream. I was aiming for London or Berlin, so landing in Paris was unexpected - especially since I didn’t fluently speak French and knew no one. But Paris brought me my partner, and taught me to slow down, to sit and observe life in all its ordinary (well, extraordinary!) beauty. In the stability of European social systems, I finally found the courage and support to follow my inner voice: I wanted to work in health and well-being. While continuing to earn a living in tech, I began building my mindfulness teaching and coaching practice.
I was lucky to discover that this work moved me deeply. I feel awe and honor each time I help someone find grounding and freedom in the midst of a demanding life. My own practice continues to carry me through many hard chapters: loved ones with cancer, a long fertility journey, repeated relocations, workplace harassment, injuries, and mental health struggles like anxiety. So, I get often get goosebumps when I share the power of this practice with others.
What I can safely say, with some tears in my eyes, is that I am happy. Life spirals, especially in this multi-country, multi-language, multi-cultural context, and yet, I find my balance, again and again, and my inner happiness.
Since 2023, I lived in Marseille with my partner, our daughter, and our two cats. We’re lucky to have daily access to beaches, national parks, and a garden full of trees and flowers. I move between Turkish, English, and French every day. My loved ones are from — and live in — many corners of the world. Istanbul stays close to my heart, and I return several times a year.
