About Beyond Cubicles
đ˘ #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina DâSouza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industriesâranging from tech and education to wellness and adventureâwho share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.Â
⨠Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
"I was burning the candle at both ends. Kundalini yoga changed everything."
In 2007, Nancy Zabaneh had a thriving career in strategy, public affairs, and investor relations.
Behind the success, however, she was balancing the demands of raising three children under five while navigating challenges in her seven-year-old marriage.
âI was burning the candle at both ends,â she recalls. âI sensed a greater calling beyond the demands of my daily life.â
This realization marked the beginning of a profound journey of self-discovery.
Years of practicing Hatha yoga had kept her grounded, but discovering Kundalini yoga changed everything. âIt felt like coming home,â she says. âEach class cleared stagnant energy, renewed my vitality, and strengthened meâphysically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.â
Leaving the corporate world required letting go of a familiar identity, relinquishing titles, and embracing an uncertain future.
Immersing herself in transpersonal psychology, yogic wisdom, and ancient teachings was met with skepticism, both from within and from others.
âThe more you strive to control lifeâs outcomes, the more control eludes you,â she says. âTrue liberation comes when you trust the process and allow life to unfold.â
Nancy recognized that her experiences could inspire and support others.
With guidance from mentors like Dr. Gabor MatĂŠ, Sat Dharam Kaur ND, and Shiv Charan Singh, her journey deepened further.
She went on to train thousands of yoga instructors through her platform, Darshan, becoming the first Kundalini yoga teacher trainer in the Arab Gulf.
She also led recovery programs in India and spearheaded key initiatives in Palestine. Her work expanded globally, supporting social outreach programs across Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, helping individuals rewrite their personal narratives with self-compassion and connection.
âMy greatest realization is this,â she shares. âI am not just a participant in lifeâI am its creator. My thoughts, choices, and actions shape the reality I experience. As Rumi reminds us, âYou were born with wings; why prefer to crawl through life?ââ
âFor those on the path to self-discovery,â she says, âunderstand what drives you and seek fulfilment within yourself. No job, title, or amount of money can provide true happiness. Let your reasons for change arise from a sense of wholeness, not from old stories seeking validation.â
Born in Canada to Palestinian parents, Nancy moved to Dubai 24 years ago, a decision she says mirrors her own evolution. Like her journey, Dubai represents boundless opportunityâa place where growth and self-reinvention are always possible.
Today, she balances her mission-driven work with family life, inspiring others to embrace their own journeys of growth.