The world has never progressed as quickly as it does now, with all the new technological breakthroughs on the horizon. As a result, the desire to be as efficient and productive as possible never ends. The self-help book industry alone was worth $11 billion in 2008, and while there are a variety of perspectives on productivity, habit-forming was the majority sentiment. Over 40% of what people do, according to Duke University researchers, is not decided by their conscious choices but rather by their habits. This indicates that forming beneficial habits while breaking negative behaviors can drastically improve people’s lives.
Engineer, developer, yogi and businessman Sarad Dhungel made it his life’s work to aid those in need after coming to this knowledge. Born in Nepal, Sarad’s journey led him to the United States at the age of 19, where he attended Howard University and pursued a degree in Computer Engineering.
During his university years, he demonstrated his passion for innovation and problem-solving by taking on challenging competitions such as the Intel-Cornell Cup. He took on the role of team leader for SLaTE8, a project focused on designing and building a prototype capable of translating American Sign Language into English text. These experiences ignited a deep-seated commitment to applying his technical education to improve society, setting him on a path of impactful innovation and social change.
Sarad created StretchYo, an innovative application designed to empower users to transcend their comfort zones and nurture wholesome habits while embracing a healthy lifestyle. This visionary endeavor was born from his profound comprehension of cutting-edge technology, underscored by his unwavering passion for the digital realm.
Sarad hinted at his initial exploration of productivity applications. During his foray into this realm, he keenly identified remarkable improvements and features that he was excited to integrate into Stretch Yo. He underscored the essential importance of a polished and visually captivating user interface (UI), fully aware that an elegant design with minimalist approach would entice and motivate users to engage with the app on a more profound level.
StretchYo has four key features that encourage healthy productivity: a to-do list feature that will help users track daily tasks and realize their priorities for the day to achieve their goals; a Pomodoro timer feature that will help users focus on their tasks for a set amount of time and take breaks in between; a challenge feature where users can build, track, and form habits; and finally, an invitation feature that enables you to connect with friends, colleagues, and like-minded people to create a supportive community and help one another accomplish their goals.
Recently, Sarad has also introduced a breathing timer alongside a selection of exercises aimed at enhancing relaxation, reducing anxiety, and promoting a sense of equanimity. He says, “This new feature aligns perfectly with the app’s broader mission of not just improving productivity but also paving the way towards the wellness frontier.”
Sarad and his team are diligently working to incorporate AI, ML models and community features into their project. These elements have been thoughtfully designed to cater to individuals at various stages of their habit-building journey, fostering connections among like-minded individuals. Through these community features, they aim to create a space where people can collaborate, exchange valuable tips, and extend support to one another. In doing so, they aspire to transform the pursuit of productivity and wellness into a collective and mutually reinforcing endeavor.
Released in December of last year under his company with the same name, StretchYo’s goal is to be the number one app for personal development. “Technology is very powerful. Our devices have become virtual extensions of who we are. But if you don’t use it correctly, it can hamper us. That’s why I created user-friendly interfaces for our app to encourage people to use their phones. I want to send the message that creating and changing habits can be fun and easier if you have the right tools in place,” said Sarad.
In the upcoming years, Sarad and his colleagues plan to add other functions to the app, including relaxing music to encourage rest, which is equally crucial for productivity.
“I spent years thinking about this idea and not doing anything. I was scared, but eventually, when life hit me hard, I knew I couldn’t just sit with all these thoughts running through my head. I had to take action,” said Sarad. He explains that people shouldn’t wait for the “right time,” which was his belief that led him to where he is now. Instead, they should start now and see how things will connect moving forward. With the help of StretchYo, people can stop hesitating and take the first step toward their goals.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
