AbouT
About me
Hi, I’m Viran Pandya — a Chindian (Malaysian-Chinese and Indian) East Londoner now calling Tokyo home.
I’ve spent my whole life navigating cultures, career changes, and personal reinvention.
I grew up in a low-income neighbourhood, and lost my father to alcoholism at the age of seven. My mother taught me resilience, grit, and how to keep moving forward — lessons that carried me through scholarships to York, California, and Oxford.
I began my career teaching history in a tough London school through the Teach First program, earning a PGCE and a Master’s in Leadership while becoming an Ofsted-rated “outstanding” teacher.
In 2014, I was awarded a Daiwa Scholarship and moved to Japan. I transitioned into strategic communications, working for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Committee and rising through three global PR firms — from Associate to Vice President in under 10 years.
In 2022, everything changed again when my son was born.
I took paternity leave, discovered coaching, and found a more meaningful way to help people grow. Coaching lit me up in a way no corporate role ever had.
Today, I coach ambitious professionals navigating career change, cross-cultural leadership, confidence challenges, and the messy overlap of work and parenting — just like I have.
Since November 2024, I’ve chosen to stay home with my son full-time. That means I coach only in the evenings — and only take on a limited number of clients.
If you’re reading this, I’m hoping you might be one of them.
FAQ
“Gaijin” means foreigner in Japanese. My mum is Chinese Malaysian, my dad was Indian from Kenya, and I grew up as a Chindian in East London before moving to Japan 10 years ago – I’ve been a foreigner my whole life.
And despite coming from a fairly tough background, I “smashed” my way into Oxford University, became a history teacher in London, then moved to Japan on a Daiwa Scholarship in 2014. I became a PR consultant in Tokyo and was promoted at every company I joined, which is also a bit rare.
The term “Gaijin Smash” generally refers to foreigners intentionally or accidentally breaking Japanese social norms or rules.
Japan has a LOT of rules and social norms, but I’ve found success by embracing a different approach. By most notably defying the expectations of a typical salaryman to take a year of paternity leave, I’ve managed to prioritize what’s important to me.
The Gaijin Smash isn’t meant to be offensive. I just felt that it represented how I’ve navigated through my life – always being a foreigner, and regularly smashing through obstacles – especially in Japan.
I want to help you achieve the same progress, endorsing you to be courageous and travel a different path.
As a general rule, I don’t believe in long-term coaching packages as I think coaching is most effective when it is targeted on a specific issue within a limited time frame.
I don’t use any other products – no personality tests, tarot cards, meditation, hypnosis, Reiki, spiritual rituals, or brainwave theories – if this is what you are looking for, I am probably not the right guy. I use a simple and direct coaching framework in order to help you reach a solution fast.
I also do not coach people who are on anti-depressants or need clinical therapy. While I am a trained suicide lifeline counsellor, I do not pretend to be a psychologist or psychiatrist.
I hold an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, which equips me with a well-rounded and impactful approach to helping clients achieve their strategic goals.
As a Vice President in Strategic Communications at one of the world’s largest PR firms, I advised and trained executives how to communicate effectively, especially in crisis and high-stress situations.
I am a trained phone counsellor with TELL Japan (Tokyo English Lifeline) which developed my active listening skills.
And finally, I am a certified coach with the Coach Training Alliance, and my practice adheres to the principles of the International Coaching Federation.
I specialize in coaching high-achieving international professionals in Japan who:
- Are seeking to rediscover their passion and purpose.
- Want to enhance their leadership skills and confidence.
- Strive to achieve better work-life balance and prioritize what matters most.
- Need support navigating career transitions and personal growth challenges.
My clients are individuals who are driven to succeed, eager to make meaningful changes in their lives, and committed to personal and professional growth.
My clients are normally managers, consultants, freelancers, and business owners.
I focus on helping international professionals in Japan – but this isn’t exclusive.
Generally, as long as you can speak English and you are committed to improving your life, there’s an opportunity to work with me. In the best case scenarios, you have very specific goals or areas of your life that you want to improve.
Go to the Contact page to schedule a free session where we can both see if we would work well together or not.
After a free suitability session, a single session costs from 20,000 JPY to 45,000 JPY depending on financial constraints.
This fee reflects the 1-on-1 VIP-level attention that you receive during, between, and after each session. Each session is co-created meaning that you receive individualized guidance tailored to your specific needs, maximizing the impact of each session.
I coach high-achieving individuals who are ready to make a significant positive change in their life, and who are prepared to invest in themselves. The value extends far beyond the cost, as it empowers each person to take control of their lives and to improve it even after the course ends.
REACH OUT TO ME
Have any questions for me? I would love to connect with you and learn about your goals, career, business plans, and social life in Japan – and see if I can help you make them all even better.