Sheeba Varghese is Founder and President of Defining Moments 365, a coaching consultancy dedicated to empowering individuals so they can transform the challenges and obstacles in their lives into defining moments of positive growth and change.
A Certified Life and Career Coach, Sheeba brings more than 15 years experience working with women and students to her coaching, including more than seven years as a certified K-12 teacher. An accomplished speaker and Women’s Ministry Leader, Sheeba has organized and managed numerous women’s spiritual retreats, facilitated women’s workshops, and delivered powerful presentations, including “Grace” and “Me, Offended?” Using the gifts that made her an exceptional teacher – intelligence, strength, compassion and intuition combined with a wisdom that springs from a spiritual foundation – Sheeba helps clients to find the clarity they need to shift their focus from obstacles to possibilities, from dreams to opportunities. And she holds them accountable so they see the results they desire.
Sheeba’s journey to coaching began many years ago in New Delhi, India, where she was born. Fluent in both English and Malayalam (a south Indian dialect), Sheeba immigrated to the United States as a young child and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. An oldest child, Sheeba emerged into a natural leader and nurturer, possessing a quiet determination to succeed and overcome any obstacles that kept her from attaining her goals.
Two stories of how Sheeba’s determination and strength paid off in her student years are particularly notable. The first was when Sheeba moved to a new county and had to change schools. Struggling with a new curriculum, she fell behind in mathematics, at one point throwing her textbook across the room in frustration. Refusing to be beaten, she entered university and began taking Pre-Calculus classes, eventually majoring in mathematics and returning to her high school to complete her student teaching in the Mathematics Department. The second story was of her determination to pay her college tuition and expenses on her own, alleviating any pressure on her hard-working parents. With a stealthy diligence, she frequently visited the Guidance Counselor’s office to check on available scholarships. Her focus and determination paid off, resulting in her receiving not only one, but three undergraduate scholarships, namely a National Merit Scholarship, a Delegate Scholarship, a four-year Silver Spring Women’s Club Scholarship.
Years later, after successfully completing her undergraduate degree, as well as earning a Residential Planning Diploma from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Sheeba began teaching high school mathematics and married the love of her life. Moving from Maryland to northern New Jersey, she continued teaching for several years, working more directly with students to set and achieve goals both inside and outside the classroom through measurable small steps. Through her teaching, Sheeba was able to see the positive influence of her measured approach on the lives of her students, many of whom she still hears from today.
When Sheeba was graced with the birth of her first son, she left teaching to be a stay-at-home mother. Not long after, her mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer and Sheeba began to travel regularly from New Jersey to Maryland to care for her mother in her final days. Sheeba also experienced the loss of her father not long afterwards due to heart complications. The deaths of both parents in such a short period of time, as well as the birth of her second son, were life changing experiences for Sheeba. She began looking for deeper meaning and purpose in her life. As an active volunteer at her church and children’s schools, Sheeba emerged as a go-to sage, speaking at women’s retreats and advising students on post-secondary education possibilities. From this involvement and her years of teaching, she identified one of her life’s purpose – coaching – and Defining Moments 365 was born.
Sheeba is a member of the International Coach Federation and the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). She holds a dual Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from the University of Maryland at College Park. She received her Coaching certification through the Life Purpose Institute (LPI) and recently served as an Assistant Trainer for an LPI Coach Training program conducted in New York City. She is a four-time recipient of the Who’s Who Among American Teachers Award. In addition, Sheeba is an active volunteer in her sons’ school, sponsors a female student in Bolivia through Compassion International, supports charitable causes in Kosovo, Benin, West Africa, and India. She also regularly provides support to local programs that provide meals for the homeless.
When not coaching clients, Sheeba enjoys song-writing, time with her family, traveling, tutoring, doing voice-over work, and decorating. Currently, she lives with her husband and two sons in Warren, NJ. Sheeba would love to help you! If you are in need of coaching, contact Sheeba today for a complimentary consultation!
Your defining moment is within your reach!
