Unstoppable: Sonal Dave’s Journey from Adversity to Empowering Voices
From overcoming physical challenges to becoming a trailblazer in the world of public speaking and events, Sonal Dave’s story is one of resilience, passion, and empowerment. As an award-winning Celebrant, Toastmaster, Public Speaking Expert, and Published Author, she has dedicated her life to helping others find their voice and create meaningful, unforgettable moments.
Born in Uganda with congenital hip dysplasia, Sonal’s journey has been anything but conventional. Despite facing disability and multiple medical conditions, she refused to let adversity define her. Instead, she transformed her challenges into stepping stones, carving a path that inspires countless individuals today.
Through her work, Sonal brings cultures and communities together—officiating multicultural and LGBTQ+ celebrant ceremonies, guiding individuals to speak with confidence and adding grace and gravitas to high-profile events through her toastmaster services. Whether she’s leading a heartfelt celebrant wedding ceremony, teaching public speaking skills to children or adults, or breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries, Sonal’s impact is profound.
In this exclusive feature, we dive into Sonal Dave’s remarkable journey, exploring how she turned obstacles into opportunities and continues to uplift others with her expertise, warmth, and unwavering determination.
Can you share the journey that led you to become a Celebrant, Toastmaster, Public Speaking Expert, and Author?
My adult career started as a civil servant, working for several different government departments whilst I was there for over 20 years. I was young and ambitious and quickly rose from being an admin officer to deputy director. The higher my promotion, the easier it became to notice how difficult it was for someone from a diverse background and with a disability. In my own journey, this became more apparent when I found that I was being treated differently. I felt harassed, bullied and not understood. There was a lack of people skills and understanding of diversity and disability, which meant that a career I once loved was making me ill and depressed. After a challenging year and a conversation with my union, husband and doctor, it was time to let go and leave the civil service.
It took a good year to grieve the loss of all those years of loyalty and truly find myself again, and when I finally sat down with a blank sheet of paper to focus on my skills, I discovered that Communication, People, and Events were my three key areas.
Then, the research followed, leading me to my new career and business as a Celebrant, Toastmaster and Public Speaking Expert. Did you know that currently, in the UK, there are less than three Asian female celebrants and toastmasters?
I was invited to participate in 2 anthology books where individuals would share a life-changing experience that has made them who they are today. At first, I wondered if any of my stories needed to be told, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew I had to. I realised that my story of having a positive mindset and resilience through disability and breaking barriers to reach senior levels had to be told to inspire others and, importantly, for other Asian women to see a face that resonated with them and realise that they could also follow their dreams and passions.
As a Celebrant, you’ve specialized in Asian, Multicultural, and LGBTQ ceremonies. What unique elements do you bring to these celebrations?
As an independent celebrant, I create and deliver ceremonies including namings, weddings, renewal of vows, funerals, scattering of ashes, and celebration of life ceremonies, often described as from birth to celebration of life. I write focusing on the couple, the deceased and the family without the ceremony being too religious. I offer a choice.
I was born a Hindu Brahmin, and growing up, I was introduced to the religion, festivals, and culture by my parents, family and family priests. This allowed me to learn, research, and even ask the priests in my family questions. I knew I wasn’t religious in the pure sense, but I respected who I was, my culture and my roots. I celebrate diversity, inclusivity and disability in all that I do.
I got married in my 40s to Dhani, who is multicultural, with his dad of Irish descent and his mum being Indo-Carribean. For us, religion was not an issue. Our core values, dreams, passions and acceptance of each other mattered most.
The unique elements I bring to a couple or family are my knowledge and experience of Asian cultures and my love of learning about others. Every one of us has the right to love and be loved. I include rituals with explanations so a range of generations will know what to do but also understand why they are doing the ritual or symbolic element.
I speak English, Gujarati, and basic Hindi, and I sing.
My husband speaks English, Portuguese, and basic Spanish. He sings and plays guitar.
Why do you believe public speaking is such an essential skill for children and adults?
Through learning public speaking skills, children and adults will feel confident and empowered. Public speaking helps children, teens, and adults to express themselves clearly and confidently. These skills are not just about public speaking. They’re about unlocking opportunities, fostering connections, managing mental health and building self-esteem.
Communication is at the heart of every relationship, opportunity, and success story. Yet, for many, it’s a daunting challenge. Children hesitate to raise their hands in class. Teens struggle with peer pressure and anxiety in life and interviews. Adults fear speaking up in meetings and communicating confidently with those around them at home and work. These barriers can hold people back from realising their potential. By building essential communication skills, participants gain the tools to overcome fear, express themselves confidently, support their mental health and embrace new opportunities.
Confidence and communication are at the heart of inclusion, opportunity, and growth. Through my online public speaking courses, workbooks and journals, my vision is to empower individuals to:
-Build self-esteem and reduce isolation.
-Foster understanding and meaningful connections within their communities.
-Develop essential human skills that unlock education, work, and life opportunities.
This isn’t just about teaching people how to speak – it’s about creating a ripple effect. Confident individuals go on to inspire others, strengthening families, communities, and organisations. My online courses are designed to break barriers, support mental well-being, and provide lifelong skills that create positive, sustainable change.
Why This Matters:
-Lack of confidence leads to missed educational opportunities, work, and life opportunities.
-Social anxiety can foster isolation and reduce mental well-being.
-Poor communication limits personal and professional growth.
You’ve been involved with organizations like Shishukunj, Saving Dreams, and SKSN. How have these affiliations influenced your personal and professional journey?
Shishukunj is an international children’s charity whose London base has been running for almost 50 years. Through the medium of Indian culture and holistic development, they instil good morals and values in children from age five upwards. Hence, the children learn the skills to become responsible and respected leaders of tomorrow’s society.
I joined Shishukunj when I was around 10 years old. Shishukunj is a children’s organisation that is for children, and children run it. Just by reading that, you will see that it is a place where children can learn to thrive and survive.
At the age of 12, I was offered the responsibility to run a centre with the support of seniors. There were many other opportunities, like playing my recorder or singing in sessions. I also had the chance to train to become a leader of a group of children and later the leader of the centre. All of these opportunities supported the extrovert that I was and helped to develop further and shape my leadership and event skills. I am a life member of Shishukunj and continue supporting its UK-based and international activities.
Saving Dreams is a charity my friend Andrea Malam set up in the UK to support the less fortunate across the globe. She saw a need for an energetic, non-profit charity to support the less fortunate. Supporting Andrea has been an excellent opportunity for me to see her grow from strength to strength and see all the children and adults her charity supports through food banks, her volunteering, community work, education, care kits and more. I feel blessed to help her in the different areas of her charity through my knowledge, skill set and network.
SKSN is Sucheta Kriplani Shiksha Niketan. This is a senior secondary, co-educational residential school established in 1991 and is home to just over 550 physically challenged children and approximately 50 fully able day scholars in Jodhpur. Although the boys and girls study together, they have separate boarding facilities. In this school, boarding and educational facilities are provided free of charge.
I first met Sneh Gupta, the school’s Executive Director, when my father, Harisukh Dave, through Greenford Willow Tree Lions Club, invited the school to bring some students to the UK by sponsoring, providing accommodation, trips and food. My first impression was, “Wow, look at these children, smiling, singing, playing and just happy with life”. It made me think about how lucky we are to have what we have. Sneh is now my dear friend, and I continue to love what the charity stands for, not forgetting the hundreds of children for whom they have given and continue to provide opportunities and education for their future.
As someone who has redefined success through service and strength, how do you think society’s perception of disability and success needs to change?
For change to happen today, we must educate, raise awareness and celebrate disability, diversity, and inclusion. To do that, we must ask more questions and challenge the status quo, especially when someone says, “But that’s what we always did”, or they have no explanation. We need to raise awareness and educate that it is okay to have a disability, be in a multicultural relationship or be LGBTQ.
Success is no longer being a doctor, pharmacist, or accountant, getting married early, having children, a house and a car. Success is no longer parents forcing their ideas and dreams on their children.
In today’s society, individuals must define their own success. They must fail, struggle, face challenges and go through hard times, as the other side of that is their success.
People need to understand that success is not a career, the number of cars or holidays you have. Success is a warm feeling inside you that makes you want to get up every day and follow your dreams because you are doing what you want to do, what you are passionate about, and what you were meant to be doing.
You’ve described yourself as a survivor. What drives you to keep going despite physical and hidden disabilities?
I am a survivor every day, as my disabilities and medical conditions stay with me. So I have a choice. Do I stay in bed and feel sorry for myself, or do I get up and get on with my day, doing the things that make me happy? Yes, life is a balance for me with work and rest, but the fact that I am doing what I love in my business is a reason to keep going. I have a husband who supports and celebrates with me, a father who loves that I am living my life my way, and two awesome dogs, Neo and Ri, who are all reasons to get up and keep going. Although my mum is physically no longer with me, I know she is looking down at me from above with a big smile, knowing I am following my dreams.
How does it feel to be recognized as “Most Inspirational Public Speaking Expert” and “Wedding Celebrant of the Year”?
For me, winning these awards means being officially recognised for achieving excellence and outstanding performance. It is a public acknowledgement of my hard work and the quality of my work. Anyone who works with me in my Celebrant or Toastmaster role, or anyone I have taught Public Speaking Skills, will share that I give everything to each person, couple, family and organisation as I love what I do.
Your mantra, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Be Different,” is powerful. How do you live by this motto every day?
My mantra is, Dare to Dream, Dare to Be Different, The World Is YOUR Stage.
I knew I was different as a child, but it took some years to realise how. But I had a dream that I wanted to be a performer and a leader, and I loved people and communicating. All this as a child who knew she would break down barriers to achieve her dreams.
I knew I was different and was okay with that because I wanted to be different. How boring would the world be if we were all the same
At the age of 12, I auditioned and had the opportunity to be a child performer at the English National Opera and Sadler’s Wells. The operas included Carmen, Osud, Hansel and Gretal.
As I got older, I organised charity fundraising events to support those less privileged, and I started to sing and perform in stage shows.
I created a dance group called JALSA, and we performed at events in the UK and had the opportunity to perform abroad alongside Bollywood singers.
I was a presenter on Zee TV on the show Out and About for many years and also joined an agency for supporting actress work, all while working. I now have an acting agent who represents me.
When I joined the civil service, I started as an admin officer. I reached the deputy director level through hard work, dealing with discrimination, old rules, bullying, and pushing myself for promotions. There were not many Indian women with that title.
I have been abroad for work, won awards, and been in major publications and also on major networks, including the BBC as a Celebrant, Netflix as a British voice actor for Deepa and Anoop, a children’s animation show, and Love Is Blind UK, season 1.
I do dare to dream
I am different
The World is my stage
Sonal Dave
Events
