Raj Soren’s incredible journey is defined by resilience, transformation, and a lifelong commitment to learning. Over 40 years ago, Raj began practicing martial arts as a way to protect himself and his family, immersing himself in disciplines like traditional Japanese jiu jitsu, aikido, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Along the way, he uncovered enduring life lessons—discipline, patience, focus, and humility—that shaped his character both inside and outside the dojo. After a distinguished 35-year career in the corporate world, Raj decided to follow his true calling: full-time coaching and consulting. Today, he empowers solo entrepreneurs, individuals, and leaders to cultivate clarity, confidence, and a “Black Belt Mindset.” Through his workshops, books, and online initiatives such as Men, Let’s Talk, Raj inspires others to tackle obstacles with courage, turn adversity into opportunity, and become champions of their own lives. 

In addition, Raj partners with AI and UX/UI digital specialists to support CEOs and managing directors in leveraging artificial intelligence solutions that drive business transformation, enhance value, and optimize both time and cost efficiency. 

“Embrace imperfections, show yourself compassion, and take small steps daily—true growth comes from balance.”

How did your journey in martial arts begin, and what has it taught you about life?

I started at university 40 plus years ago to combat racism and protect myself and my family.
Martial arts has taught me invaluable skills and attitudes that extend far beyond the dojo, including discipline and consistency through the commitment to train regularly even when motivation fades, patience and humility by embracing the gradual nature of growth and remaining a lifelong student, resilience and perseverance in learning to push past comfort zones and rise after setbacks, and focus and presence through mindful attention to breath, movement, and awareness. It has instilled respect and empathy by valuing opponents and teachers, reinforced a growth mindset by showing that each belt represents progress rather than perfection, and emphasized balance and control by teaching me to manage both body and emotions, translating into calmness when facing stress, anger, or fear in everyday life.

You spent over 35 years in the corporate world- what made you decide to switch to full-time coaching?

After 35 years in the corporate world, I realized that the moments I valued most weren’t about hitting targets or closing deals, but about mentoring colleagues, guiding teams through challenges, and watching people grow into their potential. That insight made me decide to transition into full-time coaching and consulting, where I could dedicate myself to helping others achieve clarity, confidence, and growth. My sales management and national corporate training experience in Biotech, Med Tech and Pharmaceuticals gave me a deep understanding of leadership, resilience, and change, and coaching. This allows me to use those lessons to help CEOs, MDs and teams as well as individuals in a way that feels more aligned with my values and the impact I want to make at this stage of my life.

Can you explain the “Black Belt Mindset” in simple terms and how it helps people in life and business?

The Black Belt Mindset emphasizes discipline, resilience, humility, and growth, applying martial arts principles to business, work, and daily life.  It empowers individuals to stay grounded, recover from setbacks, lead with respect, and pursue excellence whether at home, in their careers, or in the boardroom.

How do you use martial arts principles like discipline and resilience to help your clients?

I use martial arts principles such as discipline and resilience to help my clients by guiding them to develop consistency in their actions and the ability to overcome challenges. Discipline is fostered through encouraging regular habits, whether it’s setting aside time for reflection, practice, or personal development—even when motivation wanes. Resilience is built by teaching clients to embrace setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, just as martial artists learn to rise after a loss or mistake. These principles help clients stay focused, manage stress, and maintain balance, leading to greater clarity, confidence, and success both personally and professionally. By adopting a “Black Belt Mindset,” clients learn to pursue excellence, stay grounded, and lead with respect and humility in every area of life.

What’s your favorite story of someone overcoming a challenge through your coaching?

One of my favourite stories involves a client who felt entirely stuck in her career, battling self-doubt and struggling to recover after a significant setback. Through coaching, we used martial arts mindset principles, encouraging her to see challenges as avenues for growth and to pursue her goals with consistent, disciplined effort. Gradually, she regained confidence, gained direction, and ultimately secured a leadership role where she now mentors others. She now runs a successful business. Witnessing her transformation reinforced the incredible impact resilience and a growth mindset can have when facing life’s difficulties.

You run workshops and speak to many organisations—what do you hope people take away from them?

When I run workshops or speak to organizations, my hope is that people leave with practical tools and renewed perspective—not just inspiration, but actionable strategies they can apply right away. I want participants to see how martial arts principles like discipline, resilience, and humility can translate into stronger leadership, better teamwork, and a more balanced approach to stress and change. Ultimately, I aim for everyone to walk away having fun, feeling empowered, equipped to pursue growth both personally and professionally, and motivated to cultivate a “Black Belt Mindset” in every aspect of their lives.

Some client feedback 

Just attended Raj’s Blackbelt Mindset Workshop. When I say it ‘packed a punch’ it really did…literally. Never really thought about the massive crossover between the disciplines involved in martial arts and running a business. The comparisons were startlingly obvious when pointed out. The clear ideas of discipline, consistency, training, having a mentor/coach, being teachable, being able to listen and translate instruction into action, taking that action, being in the room… is that martial arts or business? See what I mean? The idea of giving ‘Stress the Karate Chop’ is also intrinsic in Raj’s coaching and boy is it IMPORTANT. How to deal with stress in life and business is something we all must learn. Looking forward to ordering and reading Raj’s new book ‘The Black Belt Mindset’ I know it’s a potential life-saver. Get booked into one of Raj’s workshops and benefit immediately.

Mental health is clearly important to you. Why did you start “Men, Let’s Talk,” and what has it achieved?

Founding “Men, Let’s Talk”—A Journey Through Adversity

The “Men, Let’s Talk—Don’t Suffer in Silence” group was born out of my own battles with burnout, stress, depression, and despair. Several major turning points in my life deeply shaped this initiative. At one point, I thought I was having a heart attack and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.  Thankfully, it wasn’t a heart attack, but rather the result of extreme stress and burnout.

My struggles did not end there. During the pandemic, I had a severe case of COVID-19, enduring six weeks of uncertainty about whether I would survive and later suffering from long COVID. The challenges continued when, during lockdown, one of my teenage daughters was diagnosed with psychosis and autism. She was sectioned for three months, which was devastating news for both her and our family. However, she has since made significant progress, graduating from university and thriving.

These experiences made me reflect on how many other families might be facing similar struggles. Motivated by this realization, I began researching and writing books focused on stress, well-being, mindset, and confidence. I invited men to come together and share their difficult experiences, aiming to reduce loneliness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. My goal was to create a safe and supportive space for men to talk openly and find connection.

Testimonial 

Black Belt Mindset and the Men’s Let’s Talk group have honestly been a game changer. It’s a safe, supportive space where men can speak openly, share their stories, and realise they’re not alone. The conversations are real, and the guests are always inspiring. Every session leaves you with something to reflect on.

You’ve written several books—what message do you most want readers to get from them?

The core message I most want readers to get from all my books is that strength, confidence, and compassion are choices we can make every day to unlock our innate resilience. This is especially crucial for business owners and entrepreneurs, where adversity is part of the journey. I aim to show that by cultivating a disciplined “black belt mindset,” challenges can be transformed into strategic growth and setbacks into fuel for innovation. For leaders, it’s about building a deep well of internal confidence—not about being fearless but about making bold decisions and moving forward despite uncertainty. This same principle of courage applies to everyone, from children learning that their differences are superpowers, to professionals building ventures with compassion and integrity. Ultimately, my hope is to leave every reader—and every visionary builder—with a practical toolkit and a spark of belief, guiding them to shift from vulnerability to mastery, and to become the confident, proactive champions of their own lives and legacies.

How do you help leaders and teams manage stress and perform better in today’s world?

I help leaders and teams manage stress and elevate performance by teaching a disciplined, “black belt” mindset, rooted in martial arts principles like discipline, consistency, and openness to learning. This mindset is powered by the foundational pillars of M.E.D.S: Mindfulness, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep. Through engaging workshops like “Giving Stress the Karate Chop” and supportive forums such as “Men, Let’s Talk,” as well as running retreats I provide practical tools to integrate these pillars into daily life. We move beyond theory to practice, blending strategic stress management with activities you enjoy through dynamic movement sessions, mindful practices, or creative problem-solving. The result is a resilient, confident, and high-performing culture, where open conversations about mental health are encouraged, and teams are equipped to flourish, even in uncertainty. 

Looking back, what advice would you give to someone trying to grow personally and professionally while staying balanced?

If I were to offer advice to someone striving for both personal and professional growth while maintaining balance, I’d say: Start by anchoring yourself in the principle of:

Hara Hachibu—practicing self-discipline and moderation to create sustainable energy and avoid burnout. Prioritize your foundational well-being through:

M.E.D.S (Mindfulness, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep) and make self-care and open conversations about challenges a regular practice, as I champion in forums like “Men, Let’s Talk.” Remember, resilience is modeled by:

Kintsugi: learning to embrace imperfections and setbacks, transforming them into sources of strength and beauty. Choose strength, confidence, and kindness daily, and view each obstacle through the lens of 

Kaizen—embracing continuous improvement through small, impactful changes in both your business and personal life. 

Cultivate a disciplined “black belt mindset” by embodying:

Shoshin, a beginner’s mindset that stays curious and open to learning at every stage. This allows you to act with clarity and courage, even uncertainty. Support this journey by engaging in activities you genuinely enjoy, which fuel creativity and restoration. Surround yourself with a supportive community, and don’t hesitate to seek connection; sharing your story can turn isolation into empowerment. 

Finally, approach each day with:

Wabi-sabi—finding beauty in life’s imperfect, fleeting moments and honoring your own unique path. Ultimately, true balance comes from leading with compassion for yourself and others, integrating these principles not as rules, but as a graceful way of being. By doing so, you’ll achieve meaningful growth and become a confident, resilient champion of your own journey.

“Care for your mind, body, and spirit—when you stay grounded, both life and purpose thrive.”