Uncover Your Eyes: The Truth About Health & Wellness - Eyes On- Have You Been Saying Your Own Name Wrong? Reclaiming Identity & Respect with Dr. Meenal Agarwal

Eyes On- Have You Been Saying Your Own Name Wrong? Reclaiming Identity & Respect with Dr. Meenal Agarwal

05/14/24 • 8 min

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Uncover Your Eyes: The Truth About Health & Wellness

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal shares a vulnerable story about her name—and how she spent decades identifying with a version of it that wasn’t hers. From childhood classrooms to medical school to professional life, Dr. Meenal opens up about how cultural mispronunciations, assimilation, and silent acceptance shaped her relationship with identity. Through reflection and recent rediscovery, she explores what it means to reclaim your name, your heritage, and your confidence. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever felt pressured to make themselves more palatable—and is now ready to say their name proudly.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Realization: “That’s not my name.”
(00:13) Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes: A podcast about seeing truth clearly
(00:30) Growing up: How “Meenal” became “Minal” without her even realizing it
(01:30) The experience of being a minority in school and accepting name changes
(02:00) The inner conflict of wanting to reclaim your name but not knowing how
(02:45) Chasing validation and belonging through acceptance of mispronunciation
(03:42) The turning point: A social media manager gets her name right—and changes everything
(04:48) Slowly reclaiming her true name through her podcasting and personal brand
(05:49) A classmate reaches out after years of calling her the wrong name
(06:15) Why names carry identity, dignity, and cultural pride
(06:48) Teaching her kids to never compromise on their names
(07:24) Final message: Say your name like it matters—because it does

Key Takeaways:

Names Are Identity: A name is more than just a label—it's a deep part of who we are.
Silence Reinforces Mispronunciation: By not correcting people, we unknowingly teach them it's okay to get it wrong.
It’s Never Too Late to Reclaim Your Name: You can choose to take back your name at any point in your life.
Representation Starts at Home: Teaching your children to be proud of their names empowers the next generation.
You Don’t Need to Shrink to Belong: Belonging starts with self-respect, not assimilation.

Resources & Links:

Follow Dr. Meenal Agarwal on Instagram: @dr.meenalagarwal
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms

Bio:

Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an optometrist, speaker, mom, and host of Uncover Your Eyes. Through short, powerful solo episodes, she unpacks real-life emotions like guilt, identity, burnout, and validation with honesty and insight. Her mission is to help others see life more clearly—starting with how they see themselves.

Tags:

Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Uncover Your Eyes, Name Identity, Cultural Identity, Pronunciation, Self-Worth, Validation, Assimilation, Indian Names, Personal Growth, Podcast on Identity, Self-Respect, Women in Healthcare, Mental Wellness, Confidence, Parenting and Identity

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Realization: “That’s not my name.”
(00:13) Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes: A podcast about seeing truth clearly
(00:30) Growing up: How “Meenal” became “Minal” without her even realizing it
(01:30) The experience of being a minority in school and accepting name changes
(02:00) The inner conflict of wanting to reclaim your name but not knowing how
(02:45) Chasing validation and belonging through acceptance of mispronunciation
(03:42) The turning point: A social media manager gets her name right—and changes everything
(04:48) Slowly reclaiming her true name through her podcasting and personal brand
(05:49) A classmate reaches out after years of calling her the wrong name
(06:15) Why names carry identity, dignity, and cultural pride
(06:48) Teaching her kids to never compromise on their names
(07:24) Final message: Say your name like it matters—because it does

Key Takeaways:

Names Are Identity: A name is more than just a label—it's a deep part of who we are.
Silence Reinforces Mispronunciation: By not correcting people, we unknowingly teach them it's okay to get it wrong.
It’s Never Too Late to Reclaim Your Name: You can choose to take back your name at any point in your life.
Representation Starts at Home: Teaching your children to be proud of their names empowers the next generation.
You Don’t Need to Shrink to Belong: Belonging starts with self-respect, not assimilation.

Resources & Links:

Follow Dr. Meenal Agarwal on Instagram: @dr.meenalagarwal
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms

Bio:

Tags:

Previous Episode

Is LASIK About Vision—or Confidence? The Unexpected Mental Health Impact of Glasses with Dr. Rhonda Kerzner

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of Uncover Your Eyes, host Dr. Meenal Agarwal shares her own struggles with self-esteem growing up wearing thick glasses, and how LASIK changed her life—personally and professionally. Joining her is the woman who helped guide her through the process: Dr. Rhonda Kerzner, Optometric Director at TLC Laser Eye Centers in Toronto. Together, they explore how glasses can affect confidence, body image, and mental health, why patients pursue LASIK beyond the cosmetic, and how technological advances are making vision correction safer and more customizable than ever. Whether you're considering LASIK or curious about the emotional side of eyewear, this episode is packed with insight.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Why glasses can impact confidence and functionality
(01:00) Dr. Meenal’s story: Teased as a child for “Coke bottle” glasses
(02:42) Entering optometry and discovering LASIK as a life-changing option
(04:00) Introducing Dr. Rhonda Kerzner and her 25+ years in laser vision correction
(06:01) LASIK isn’t just cosmetic—it’s about independence, confidence, and lifestyle
(10:00) Real patient stories: From parents to firefighters to career-driven candidates
(13:36) Why some people aren’t LASIK candidates and how they’re assessed
(16:00) Managing expectations: Satisfaction vs. perfect vision
(18:00) Addressing common LASIK side effects: Dry eyes, glare, halos, and enhancements
(20:00) Presbyopia explained: Why reading glasses may still be needed later in life
(23:30) Why outcome happiness > hitting 20/20 on the eye chart
(24:00) Understanding LASIK tech: Custom, wavefront, and topography-guided surgery
(28:00) TikTok myths and fear around mental health and LASIK outcomes
(31:00) Dry eye management: Why it’s more than just the surgery
(33:00) Final thoughts and gratitude between Dr. Meenal and Dr. Rhonda

Key Takeaways:

LASIK isn’t just about glasses—it’s about self-esteem and quality of life.
Dry eyes and visual symptoms can be managed with today’s advanced tools and technologies.
Customized LASIK improves outcomes and should be a consideration when choosing a provider.
Mental health matters. If a patient’s anxiety or expectations aren’t well managed, LASIK may not be the right fit.
Satisfaction doesn’t equal 20/20. It’s about whether your visual needs and lifestyle are improved.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about LASIK with Dr. Rhonda Kerzner: TLC Laser Eye Centers Toronto
Follow Dr. Meenal Agarwal: @dr.meenalagarwal

Bio:

Dr. Rhonda Kerzner is the Optometric Director at TLC Laser Eye Centers Toronto and has over 25 years of experience in laser vision correction. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, she’s been at the forefront of refractive technology since LASIK was first introduced and is passionate about helping patients improve not just their vision—but their lives.

Tags:

Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Dr. Rhonda Kerzner, Uncover Your Eyes, LASIK, Glasses and Self-Esteem, Eye Health, Body Image, LASIK Technology, Mental Health and LASIK, Dry Eye, Customized LASIK, Vision Correction, Women's Wellness, Eye Confidence, TLC Laser Centers, Myopia, Optometry and Confidence, Self-Worth, Burnout, Wellness Conversations,

Next Episode

Navigating Cancer: How to Find Strength, Support, and Purpose with Shelyna Khalfan

In this deeply personal episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Shelyna Khalfan, a Certified Cancer Journey Coach and Registered Occupational Therapist, to discuss the emotional, mental, and physical challenges of navigating a cancer diagnosis. Shelyna shares her own powerful story of loss, survival, and resilience, from losing her father to prostate cancer, to caring for her mother through breast cancer, and then facing her own diagnosis. This episode is about more than just treatment—it’s about processing emotions, building a support system, and finding purpose through adversity. Whether you're personally impacted by cancer or supporting a loved one, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Why acknowledging emotions is key to navigating cancer
(00:25) Dr. Meenal on how cancer impacts families and healthcare providers
(01:20) Meet Shelyna Khalfan: Her background as an occupational therapist and cancer coach
(02:00) Shelyna’s personal journey: Losing her father, caring for her mother, and her own breast cancer diagnosis
(04:30) The emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis: Fear, anxiety, and feeling out of control
(06:47) Why many patients don’t talk about their diagnosis and the stigma around cancer conversations
(07:48) What is a Cancer Journey Coach? How coaching supports patients beyond medical treatment
(10:00) The turning point: How Shelyna found purpose in coaching and helping others
(15:00) From panic to power: Practical steps to regain control after diagnosis
(20:42) How to separate fear from facts when researching treatments and talking to doctors
(27:42) Why it’s important to live today and not wait until treatment is over
(30:48) The power of pausing: Slowing down, enjoying small moments, and shifting priorities
(35:00) Setting boundaries: Protecting your mental health and removing toxic influences
(37:48) Don’t be ashamed, be open: The life-changing advice Shelyna’s father gave her
(41:00) Where to find Shelyna for support, coaching, and resources

Key Takeaways:

Cancer is not just a physical battle—it’s an emotional and mental one. Finding support is critical.
Talking about cancer can be hard, but openness leads to healing. Breaking the stigma helps both patients and families.
You don’t have to wait until treatment is over to start living. Find joy and purpose in today.
Support systems matter. Be mindful of who you allow in your space—remove toxic people.
From panic to power: You are not powerless. There are tools to help you regain control and make empowered choices.

Resources & Links:

Follow Shelyna Khalfan on Instagram: @amindfulpathcoach
Email Shelyna for coaching support: [email protected]
Follow Dr. Meenal Agarwal on Instagram: @dr.meenalagarwal
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms

Bio:

Shelyna Khalfan is a Certified Cancer Journey Coach and Registered Occupational Therapist specializing in helping cancer patients process emotions, regain control, and find meaning through their journey. After experiencing cancer firsthand, she now dedicates her work to supporting individuals as they navigate life before, during, and after treatment.

Tags:

Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Uncover Your Eyes, Cancer Support, Cancer Journey, Breast Cancer, Cancer Coaching, Mental Health, Self-Advocacy, Oncology, Emotional Wellness, Mindset Shift, Finding Purpose, Healing, Anxiety, Fear, Personal Growth, Cancer Resources, Family Support, Resilience, Wellness, Health,