Sanjeev Sachdev
Founder and Director
Let’s Design Life (letsdesignlife.com) | Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Janam Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Dharma Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Karma Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Alchemist of Human Potential & Purpose
The ‘Sanjeev’ Factor: “When what we think, say, and feel are in harmony, that’s when we operate from a place of authentic and unstoppable power.”
THE MAN
If life were a movie, then Sanjeev Sachdev would not only be the quintessential Bollywood hero in his own story but also in those of others. He has a backstory to match as well.
Sanjeev’s father, Nand Lal, was only ten when the family had to relocate after the Partition. Like many displaced families, they came “with absolutely nothing” and rebuilt their lives.
Nand Lal soon got married to Shakuntala and they had three children. Sanjeev was born in Jaipur in 1964 and was the youngest of the three. He recalls a life of scarcity, where he had to often wear his elder brother’s hand-me-downs. One incident from when he was in Class 4 would shape his self-perception for years to come. “On the day of the school cleanliness inspection, I realised my shorts had a huge hole. My parents were at work, so I told my sister, who cut a piece from an old skirt and patched the shorts.”
Standing in the inspection line at school, Sanjeev hid the patch behind his hands. At that moment, a mindset made home in this young mind. “We are not like others. We are poor.” This internal monologue of inadequacy became a part of his personality making him shy, introverted, and typically silent. Growing up this internal voice only intensified and led him to summarise that life “was not in our hands” and that others could achieve things he could not.
It would have continued to define his life had he not missed entry into the engineering stream by three marks. While his friends went to top colleges, Sanjeev found himself disillusioned and demotivated. A conversation with his father changed all that. He realised that to succeed in life, “I can’t depend on anyone but myself.”
It lit a fire in him. When the pre-engineering test was announced, he had barely a month and a half to prepare, yet secured a top-100 rank out of nearly 2 lakh students. The shy boy, unsure of himself and his worth has now transformed into a coach who empowers thousands to break their barriers and rise to their fullest potential.
THE JOURNEY
Sanjeev, a gold medallist in BE (Electrical), had lucrative offers from companies across India. However, he chose to join the public sector, serving in the electricity department. He wanted to stay by his parents’ side. A devoted son, he was also a dedicated employee. He quickly earned a reputation for productivity, efficiency, and integrity. “If you need something done, this is the person to go to,” became the hallmark of his government career.
In 1999, Sanjeev found himself immersed in Ontology, Contextual Techniques, and later Neuroscience-based coaching frameworks. And as he began understanding human behaviour, communication, and team dynamics, he became a mentor, helping colleagues and leaders overcome their inner limitations.
Finally, at 54, he left his government job to pursue his life’s calling, established Let’s Design Life, a human transformation and leadership organisation with the founding philosophy that ‘Design your life before life designs you.’
He is a Relationship & Performance Coach, Leadership & Business Coach, and a Motivational Speaker. His company has worked across industries—including real estate, media, technology, and manufacturing, impacting over one lakh people. Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “I was once an introverted child, and now I lead sessions with thousands of people. Life truly shows us how far we can go when we push our boundaries.”
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Sanjeev believes in Karma. He says that doing your duty and practising humanity is the only dharma (religion) to live by. Be it offering powerful sessions for underprivileged people or children, every session is about ensuring that “transformation reaches everyone.”
Sanjeev’s commitment to his work is above all else. He has given himself wholeheartedly to talks at orphanages, non-governmental organisations, and more. He will stand for hours at end speaking his truth and if need be, even speak from a hospital bed. “I had a session on going with some children when I was struck with severe COVID-19. My health was deteriorating, but I had committed to a session, and I could not let them down.”
After many negotiations with the medical staff, he conducted the conversation from his hospital bed and after that said his final goodbyes.”
Sanjeev’s voice was weak but his willpower and integrity have always been strong. It is not just all talk for him. He lives and breathes these principles in his work, life, and philanthropy.
THE LEGACY
Sanjeev’s family has always been his biggest support and perhaps, inadvertently, his first case studies for his life’s work. His wife, Kanupriya, is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Dean of Student Welfare at MNIT Jaipur and the perfect life partner. “Ours was an arranged marriage, and the 37 years we have been together, never have we been in such sync as we have been since my transformative coaching journey began. We rediscovered ourselves and each other, strengthening our bond.”
Their two sons have been brought up to follow their dreams and channel their power of conscious choice and fearless authenticity. The eldest son, Sannat, left a rising architectural career at 27 to build a new life in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, with his architect wife Saanya. They run an architecture studio from there. Sannat is amongst India’s top trail runners, having represented India in international trail races. He is also a passionate coach to 20+ long-distance athletes.
The younger son, Sanand, a ISB, Hyderabad graduate, lives in Bangalore with his wife Pooja, a trained Kathak dancer who has represented India at the Indo-Japan Cultural Fest. Sanand began his career by choosing a job because it respected his non-negotiables and has been successfully climbing the corporate ladder on his own terms and value system.
Both boys have what Sanjeev did not have growing up. Sanjeev had to carve his own path to self-discovery. He not only found himself but also opened the doors of possibilities to many others. He says, “I am living proof that we can rewrite our story and create a new future for ourselves. When what we think, say, and feel are in harmony, that’s when we operate from a place of authentic and unstoppable power, otherwise it is all just superficial.”
Authentic is what Sanjeev is – in accepting his failures, owning his successes, and above all being the real-life hero he was meant to be.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
Growing up we were taught to value relationships more than material things. But today, I see youth drifting towards a materialistic mindset. Everyone wants to reach the top without investing in values and vision. They seek quick success without strengthening their foundation. Yet, in this changing landscape, there remain a few who innovate.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“The values of India anchor my character. Integrity and moral fortitude from the core of my personality. As an Indian, I believe in contributing to humankind.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Many people from my family are shifting back to India. Their perspectives towards the nation are drastically transforming. India has risen to a new level.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“I take pride in India’s philosophical concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one), and its history of heroic soldiers.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“The youth of Bharat should follow their passion. They should see what works best for them, work hard and shouldn’t stop until they reach what they’re committed to. I envision a Bharat that looks beyond caste, class, and religion and adapts humanity as their sole dharma.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
Cream rolls bought with the 5 paise our nani (maternal grandmother) used to give us.
NOW
‘Dal Pakwaan’, ‘Phirni’. My wife cooks the best meals for me.
Sport Spirit
THEN
Games like ‘Sitolia’, ‘gilli-danda’, ‘kho-kho’, ‘marbles’, ‘cricket’.
NOW
Walking 5 km every day is a part of my routine now. I invest around two hours of my day exercising at my personal gym at home.
Music Tastes
THEN
Melodies that shaped our emotional world — KL Sahgal, Shamshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosale, Manna Dey.
NOW
I listen to music with meaning, including compositions by my nephew Shashwat Sachdev, National Award winner for ‘URI: The Surgical Strike,’ ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’, ‘Dhurandhar.’
Holiday Life
THEN
Travel meant visiting grandparents.
NOW
I travel the world for work but it is also a medium for creation and inspiration.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Reading Chacha Chaudhary, Champak, Betal Katha…
NOW
Music, long drives with my wife.
AKA
Sanjeev Sachdev Founder and Director | Founder Let’s Design Life Sanjeev Sachdev | Director Let’s Design Life | Wellness Entrepreneur Sanjeev Sachdev
