Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently
I am one of five girls and we are a rowdy bunch! I grew up with unconventional Indian parents, who stressed for us all to follow both academic and athletic pursuits. My two older sisters, Diya and Shikha set the bar very high in terms of achievement, so I’m doing my best to catch up. I spent every waking moment of my youth training to be a world-class tennis player. My experience as a professional athlete was so incredible and intense – it was another life.
Returning to finish my degree at Princeton University and moving towards the next chapter in my life has been an equally intense experience. Overall, my background has given me the ability to hustle hard, stay disciplined, intense resolve and an acute intolerance to BS. Now as an entrepreneur, I get to work directly and indirectly with students (and their parents) looking to push themselves academically and athletically. It’s fun to get them motivated and use my personal experiences as an example.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote.
I am really excited about South Asians in Sports (@sainsports). We are creating the first ever network of South Asians who work and play in the sports industry globally. We recently started our first Summer Internship Program and its been great to see young professionals reach out to us to network and looking for an exciting career in the sports!
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
This is such a broad question. I think the biggest challenge for me was first defining what success means to me personally because I’ve been influenced by what success is supposed to ‘look’ like by family and society.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
My greatest personal achievement has been graduating from Princeton after a six year leave of absence. I also really love my blog, www.nehauberoi.com – it’s my baby.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
Thinking of a business to start.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration has been my father. He’s a big picture thinker, serial entrepreneur, extremely persistent, the most self-sacrificing father and the best motivator on the planet.
What does the future hold for you?
I have no idea. Swami Chinmayananda once said, “Disappointment comes to those who make an appointment with the future”. Hopefully though there will be lots of chocolate!
About Neha Uberoi
Neha is a ex pro athlete and entrepreneur based in New York in the United States. A former professional tennis player, she retired from the game after 6 years at the very highest level competing alongside her sister, Shikha. After graduating from Princeton University, Neha founded AcedUp, an education consulting and tutoring business. She also co-founded South Asians in Sports, a network of South Asian professionals that work and play in sports. Neha also focuses her time on teaching tennis and mentoring athletes as well as helping followers of her smash-hit blog (www.nehauberoi.com) and YouTube channel, to elevate their existence by promoting healthy living and empowering them to adopt positive habits that have enduring physical and mental results.
Contacting Neha Uberoi
Website (personal)
Website (South Asians in Sports)
