Name: Shefali Gandhi
Age: 37
Title: “Mommy, I need you!” In my spare time, I am an Assistant Professor at Midwestern University and a Psychologist working with children and adolescents.
Married/Single: Married
Kids: 2 – My daughter is 4 almost 5, and my son is 7 weeks
City you live in: Scottsdale – I will never move!
A typical day in my life includes…
work, family, friends, and things that make me happy. After getting family ready for the day, I spend the first half of my day at the University and then at my office in Old Town Scottsdale, seeing patients.
I was born…
in good ol’ Philly, A great town with an old heart, tastykake, and obviously the best cheesesteaks and hoagies.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
the weather!!! I love the fact that when I get tired of the heat, we can just drive three hours north and get to the Ponderosa Pines, or drive three hours south and get to the beach!
I’m listening to…
“Tonight’s Gonna Be A Good Night” – what a great beat and puts me in such a good mood.
My family…
in the center of my universe.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Mahatma Gandhi. His persistence in the face of unbelievable odds is humbling. And, then I could ask if there was any way we really are related.
One thing I cannot live without…
chapstick and my phone. As a psychologist and professor, all I do is talk all day, so I can’t have dry lips. My phone keeps me from getting lost, from speeding, from forgetting what day it is and organizes everything else! What did we do before smartphones?!?
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Madona. She had so much confidence and was not scared at all! What an inspiration for young girls.
I’m inspired by…
my husband. He is an amazing dad, the nicest person I have ever met, so humble, and always puts us first. I must have done something pretty amazing in a previous life to get to spend every day with him.
The one person who motivates me is…
my daughter. I want to make her proud.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
to protect kids. To prevent bullying, abuse, and to keep them safe. Children are sacred and the world needs to see that.
The perfect day would be…
on vacation! Anywhere with family and friends, relaxing, playing, and enjoying each other’s company.
My first job was…
as a Mad Scientist! I worked with kids of all ages in afterschool programs, teaching them how to make “oobleck” and get messy. It was so much fun.
My favorite escape…
Disneyland. No matter how old I get, Disneyland will always be a special place that makes me happy.
My life…
is more than anything I could have hoped for.
I’m currently working on…
breastfeeding and writing a chapter on bullying. I never really learned how to say No, or to just do one thing at a time.
Always…
wear your heart on your sleeve.
Never…
be too scared to try new things.
Favorite Quote…
“Life is too important to be taken seriously” –Oscar Wilde
Biggest Dream…
is for my children to be happy.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
people who are selfish.
