A journey of a psychologist-turned-entrepreneur building BrainBiceps to make emotional fitness, therapy, and mental wellness accessible for all.
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is often overlooked. Many people struggle with stress, emotional challenges, or self-awareness, yet hesitate to seek guidance. Diya S Sirrkay, a trained psychologist and founder of BrainBiceps, saw this gap early on. Her mission is to make mental and emotional well-being accessible, engaging, and meaningful — not just for clients seeking therapy, but also for the next generation of psychologists who want hands-on learning and real-world experience.
Diya began her academic journey in management, earning a Bachelor’s in Management Studies (International Business) from Jain University, Bengaluru. While studying, she realized her true passion lay in understanding human behaviour and emotional well-being. This led her to pivot toward psychology, a field where she could make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
She took a two-year gap to gain practical exposure and completed a Diploma in Counselling Psychology from Prerana Academy, training as a Licensed Metaphor Therapist. She further enhanced her skills with certifications in Graphology, Child & Adolescent Counselling, and Art Therapy. Later, she earned a Master’s in Psychology from Jain University and began working across schools, workshops, and therapeutic settings.
For Diya, every interaction is guided by one belief: even if she can’t change the world, she can change someone’s world — one conversation, one session, and one smile at a time.
The inspiration for BrainBiceps came naturally. Students and colleagues often praised Diya’s sessions, saying, “We’d love to work under you someday.” This feedback stayed with her. When health concerns required her to step away from her previous job, she saw an opportunity to turn her vision into reality.
Diya reached out to her professional network and secured her first clients. She also started guest lectures at colleges, which validated her decision to start her own venture. BrainBiceps was born — a platform that combines therapy, education, mentorship, and experiential learning into one cohesive space.
BrainBiceps provides a unique mix of counselling, art-based therapy, workshops, and supervision programs for psychology students and practitioners.
One-on-one counselling sessions for children, adolescents, and adults
Art therapy workshops to explore emotions creatively
Metaphor therapy-based interventions
Structured internships and supervision programs for undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students
School counselling and mental health awareness programs
Corporate wellness initiatives to promote emotional balance in workplaces
One of the platform’s standout initiatives is India’s (and possibly the world’s) first Summer Camp focused entirely on mental and emotional well-being for children. Through creative activities, reflection-based games, and art, kids learn to understand their emotions, build empathy, and develop self-awareness in an enjoyable, supportive environment.
What sets BrainBiceps apart is its dual focus: helping clients grow emotionally while empowering aspiring psychologists to gain practical experience. By combining hands-on training, mentorship, and therapy services, BrainBiceps bridges gaps that traditional psychology programs often miss.
Starting a mental wellness venture comes with its own set of challenges. For Diya, the biggest hurdles were building trust and visibility. In a sensitive, people-driven field, credibility cannot be rushed. It required consistent effort, authentic social media presence, and patient outreach to find clients and students who resonated with BrainBiceps’ approach.
Financial stability was another challenge. In the early months, income was unpredictable. Friends and family often suggested she take a “safer” path, which sometimes shook her confidence. On a personal level, she struggled with self-doubt, wondering if her management background made her less qualified than those who studied psychology from the undergraduate level.
Diya overcame these challenges by focusing on her strengths. Her interdisciplinary background allowed her to combine organization, structure, and creativity — skills that proved invaluable in therapy, program design, and business management. As BrainBiceps grew organically, the impact she saw on clients and students replaced her doubts with confidence.
There were times when managing therapy sessions, workshops, internships, content creation, and outreach felt overwhelming — all while taking care of her health as a one-person team. Financial instability added to the pressure. At several points, she considered stepping back or taking a conventional job for security.
What kept her going were the small victories: a client smiling after a session, a student sharing newfound confidence, or an intern expressing gratitude for her mentorship. She also learned to ask for help, delegate tasks, and build a supportive team of passionate interns.
Her father’s perseverance also inspired her. Watching him navigate the ups and downs of business reminded her that resilience and determination are key. Every message from someone positively impacted by BrainBiceps reinforced her purpose and motivation.
A common misconception in mental health is that therapy is only for people with severe problems. Diya disagrees. She believes therapy is for anyone looking to understand themselves better, improve relationships, or build a healthier mindset. Mental wellness is for everyone, not just those in crisis.
Early on, Diya made two key decisions that shaped BrainBiceps:
Focusing on education and community building over pure marketing — creating interactive, engaging sessions that allow participants to learn without feeling like they’re in a formal therapy setting
Working with passionate interns rather than full-time employees — bringing curiosity, creativity, and fresh energy that strengthens the platform’s impact
These choices helped build a loyal community and a vibrant learning environment, laying the foundation for sustainable growth.
BrainBiceps has reached several milestones in a short time:
Conducted over 40 workshops
Supervised 50+ psychology students
Collaborated with schools, colleges, and organizations
Launched India’s first Summer Camp focused on mental well-being for children
For Diya, the greatest achievement isn’t numbers — it’s creating lasting impact. She has built BrainBiceps from scratch, organically, with trust and authenticity rather than aggressive marketing or funding. Seeing clients and students grow emotionally and professionally is her biggest reward.
Diya envisions BrainBiceps as a comprehensive emotional fitness hub — a one-stop destination for mental health and well-being.
Her goals include:
Expanding to multiple cities and establishing dedicated centers
Offering certified art therapy and emotional intelligence programs
Strengthening corporate wellness initiatives
Building a robust training ecosystem for aspiring psychologists
She aims to make emotional well-being as mainstream and accessible as physical health. In five years, BrainBiceps will be a trusted, compassionate platform that empowers individuals to build self-awareness, emotional strength, and resilience.
Two major gaps exist in India’s mental health field:
Lack of applied training for psychology students — BrainBiceps offers hands-on internships, workshops, and supervision to bridge the theory-practice gap
Stigma around mental health — Through creative, interactive programs, BrainBiceps normalizes therapy and mental wellness, making it approachable and engaging for everyone
By addressing both gaps, BrainBiceps is creating an emotionally aware, resilient, and empowered community.
Diya shares:
“Don’t wait to feel ready — start small, start messy, but start with purpose. Consistency matters more than perfection. Never give up, even when progress feels slow. Success takes time, and entrepreneurship is about patience, balance, and trusting your process. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.”
🌐 Website: BrainBiceps
📸 Instagram: brain_biceps_
Mirza Ali Danyal, co-founder of **Startup Times**, brings energy, vision, and a wealth of experience to the world of media. With a Master's degree and a deep understanding of the industry, Danyal leads his team in crafting authentic, dynamic content that empowers startups. His innovative leadership drives the agency’s success, inspiring creativity and growth at every turn.
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