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"This book is a gift to every parent who’s ever wondered whether they’re doing enough—or doing it right. With warmth, wisdom, and unwavering optimism, Dr. Amit Sood and his daughter Gauri Sood show that raising thriving children begins with empowered, confident parents."
"As a father of three daughters, I saw my own family in these pages. This isn’t another parenting manual, it’s a compassionate, actionable guide to building connection, confidence, and resilience for our kids and for ourselves."
Empowered Parent, Resilient Child
Protect your child’s most precious assets: attention, mental health, and self-worth
Learn tools to help you stay grounded—so your child learns to do the same
Feel Empowered as a Parent
Protect your child’s mental health, focus, and self-worth from the daily assault of the attention economy
Learn tools to help your child succeed and thrive
Praise for Dancing in the Elevator
"This book is a gift to every parent who’s ever wondered whether they’re doing enough—or doing it right. With warmth, wisdom, and unwavering optimism, Dr. Amit Sood and his daughter Gauri Sood show ....
"Dr. Amit and Gauri Sood offer a rare combination of science, warmth, and real-world wisdom, showing us how to raise children who are grounded, resilient, and joyful in an age of endless distraction...
"Dancing in the Elevator is a wise and deeply human guide to raising resilient, joyful, and purpose-driven children in a turbulent world. Blending science, story, and soul, Dr. Amit Sood and his daughter Gauri offer...
"Dancing in the Elevator is a rare and refreshing parenting book—scientifically grounded, deeply compassionate, and profoundly hopeful...
"In Dancing in the Elevator, Dr. Amit Sood and Gauri Sood illuminate the profound truth that the quality of the parent–child bond shapes a child’s entire life. Drawing on Dr. Sood’s decades of ...
"A heart-felt, wise and deeply personal companion that will hold your hand on the wild journey of parenting in an upside-down world."
"In Dancing in the Elevator, Dr. Amit Sood, MD, one of the world’s leading voices in applied wellbeing science, and his daughter Gauri offer a compassionate and practical guide to raising children who can flourish in a world of constant change....
“Dr. Sood's work in resilience and wellness has been transformative, and he brings the same insight, heart, and humor to this guidebook for raising compassionate, resilient children. In this collaboration....
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If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I:
Protect my child’s attention and self-worth in a digital world?
Raise a resilient child ready for tomorrow’s pressures?
Build a family bond no screen can replace?
More skillfully manage my own stress?
Find more joy and confidence as a parent?”
Look no further. Dancing In the Elevator will provide you the answers. It will also introduce you to the PACE (Parent and Child Empowerment) framework.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, How do I:
Protect my child’s attention and self-worth in a digital world?
Raise a resilient child ready for tomorrow’s pressures?
Build a family bond no screen can replace?
More skillfully manage my own stress?
Find more joy and confidence as a parent?
Look no further. Dancing In the Elevator will provide you the answers. It will also introduce you to the PACE (Parent and Child Empowerment) framework.
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About Dancing in the Elevator
Raising Kind, Resilient, and Happy Children
Something’s off. Parents are trying harder than ever—yet children’s mental health and academic performance are at a multi-decade low.
Maybe the real question isn’t “Are we doing enough?” It’s “Are we doing what actually works?”
Dancing in the Elevator offers a hopeful, science-backed, and deeply human path forward.
Written by Dr. Sood (a world expert in resilience and former Mayo Clinic Professor), together with his daughter Gauri (a Harvard psychology major), this book explores what the most grounded, connected, and resilient families do differently. It reveals what happens when a world-renowned resilience expert brings his life’s work home.
Inside, you’ll learn:
• The three barriers your child must navigate in today’s world
• Ten research-backed strategies that’ll help your child scale those barriers
• Everyday habits that protect children’s most precious assets: attention, mental health, and self-worth
• Tools to help you stay grounded—so your child learns to do the same
Join this intergenerational team on their simple and pure mission: to help you raise a kind, resilient, happy child while building a family bond no screen can replace.
Free Bonuses
Practice cheat sheets
Companion reading guide
Book club questions
Free access to once-a-month group webinar with Dr. Amit Sood / Gauri Sood
How do I access the bonus materials?
After purchasing the book, take the quiz, provide your email, and then press submit.
How do I access the bonus materials?
After purchasing the book, share your one favorite parenting hack, provide your email, and then press submit.
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Dr. Amit Sood
Dr. Amit Sood is the Executive Director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well-being and The GRIT Institute, and an internationally recognized expert in stress management, resilience, mindfulness, and well-being. Formerly a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Mayo Mind-Body Medicine Initiative at the Mayo Clinic, he has led pioneering work in integrating mind-body approaches within medicine.
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Gauri Sood
Gauri Sood, is a Senior at Harvard College (Class of 2026). She is a writer, researcher, and social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing global mental health through policy and legal reform. Double majoring in Psychology and Government, she focuses on developing effective mental health policies and advocating for ethical technology regulation to safeguard youth.
Read MoreDancing in the Elevator is Your Journey into PACE, a 3‑Pillar Framework for Helping Kids Thrive
Parent And Child Empowerment (PACE) is a revolutionary, research-backed framework, grounded in lived experience, that helps you raise a child who is…
Screen-Savvy
Self‑Loving
Stress‑Smart
Screen-Savvy
Self‑Loving
Stress‑Smart
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Screen-Savvy: Finding balance in a digital world
Coexisting with screens like roommates with healthy boundaries. Screen‑savvy kids and parents don’t ditch or fear tech; they master and make peace with it. They know when to scroll, when to swipe, and when to step away.
PACE offers a four‑part process to empower Screen‑Savvy youth:
Aware: Notice how screens hook us and how fast we fall for them.
Conscientious: Tap with purpose, not because the “Next Episode” button dared you.
Engaged: Live the real life fully, with trees, laughter, and non‑pixelated food.
Strong: Grow focus, confidence, and resilience so the screens stop calling the shots.
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Self‑Loving: Nurturing true self‑worth from the inside
Raising kids to be their own best friend.
Self‑loving kids respect, befriend, and nurture themselves. They handle feedback with grace, stay grounded under pressure, and chase excellence from a place of strength, not fear.
PACE helps children build intrinsic self‑worth that lasts, rather than contingent self‑esteem based on grades, trophies, or praise.
Through consistent and creative reminders, children know they are capable, gifted, and a blessing, no matter what they achieve.
They also learn the art of healthy comparison.
Stress‑Smart: Raising calm, capable kids for an uncertain world
Stress is unavoidable. Struggle is optional. Stress‑smart families don’t just manage pressure; they grow through it.
PACE offers a four‑step approach to turn stress into strength:
Recognize: Spot the signs; that racing heart isn’t “just nerves” — it’s your body waving a flag.
Regulate: Breathe. Pause. Find your higher ground before the spiral starts.
Resolve: Ask, “Is this fixable?” Don’t deep‑breathe a thorn; grab the tweezers.
Reframe: When it’s not fixable, shift your lens. Find what is right within what seems wrong.
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The ideas behind Dancing in the Elevator draw on leading studies, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and firsthand parenting journeys.
Dr. Sood’s other books
Dr. Sood has authored several books on the science and art of mindfulness and resiliency.
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Understanding Your Parenting Priorities
Find out where your child stands on the three key pillars: Screen Time, Stress, and Self-Worth.
Requirements for achieving Certified Resilience Training Program (CeRT)
Bachelor’s degree or higher
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Conduct five SMART sessions
Have an established personal resilience practice
Submit documentation of the completion of the above items with the application form and receive a Certified Resilience Trainer (CeRT) certificate from the GRIT Institute. Please email us to receive a copy of the application form. The total cost of certification is $4000 (Transform - $2000 + TSI - $2000)
Complete the Transform Program
Complete the Trainer Skills Intensive (TSI)
Complete a minimum six hours of mentorship (in-person or telementoring) with a master certified resilience trainer (part of TSI)
Complete the Transform Program
Submit evaluations from at least three sessions
Provide recommendation letters from two individuals or supervisors who have worked closely with the applicant
Score 80 percent or higher on knowledge and skills assessment written exam (multiple choice)
Obtain a passing grade on a one-hour telephonic oral exam
Submit evaluations from at least three sessions
Certified to teach the SMART sessions (four-module) to individuals or groups (Each module of the SMART program is approximately 30-45 minutes long)
Membership in the network of the GRIT Institute Certified Resilience Trainers
Participate in yearly retreat (optional)
Requirements for achieving Certified Master Resilience Trainer (MCeRT)
Complete CeRT program
Be invited to apply for MCeRT (Master Resilience Trainer Certification is by invitation only)
Have a Masters Degree or higher in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related field
Score 80 percent or higher on knowledge and skills assessment written exam
Oral Exam (one hour, telephonic)
Submit a one-page essay of how you have applied resilience in your life
Submit a one-page essay on how SMART and Transform programs can be improved
Certified to teach SMART sessions to individuals or groups
As a Master Resilience Trainer you will be eligible to teach longer versions of the SMART program (half and full day)
Receive all the GRIT Institute trainer resources
Participate, in collaboration with the GRIT Institute, in conducting Trainer Skills Intensive
Mentor Resilience Qualified and Certified Resilience Trainers
A proportion of Certified Master Resilience Trainers will be invited to participate in, and eventually, teach the Transform course
Conducted over 500 resilience sessions (individual or group) with excellent reviews and taught resilience for more than five years
Have an established personal resilience practice
Submit documentation of the completion of the above four items with the application form to receive a Certified Master Resilience Trainer certificate from the GRIT Institute
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You will be directly working with Dr. Sood for the entire training.
Most participants will take six months to complete. In some instances for students with considerable background training and experience, we offer an accelerated path that can be completed in three months.
The GRIT Institute will provide the following resources to help certified trainers succeed in teaching the program:
Participant handout
Instructor guide outlining the basic content of the course
The four-module SMART PowerPoint presentation
Inclusion in the list of trainers at the website resiliencetrainer.com- Access to yearly retreat
Copies of the following books:
SMART with Dr. Sood: The Four-Module Stress Management and Resiliency Training Program
Stronger: The Science and Art of Stress Resilience
The Resilience Journal (for the Transform course)
These books will be provided to you during the in-person session for no additional cost.
We strongly suggest the trainers follow the structured four-module program. Each module of this program is approximately 30 to 45 minutes long. Within that construct, we will work with you individually to customize the program to your background and needs. The customization process will include integrating your stories and metaphors in the program, and adapting the program to your audience.
A certified resilience trainer has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to teach the four modules of the SMART program and any additional curricula approved by The GRIT Institute to be taught by resilience trainers. Upon issuance of the trainer certificate, you can represent yourself as an approved trainer of the SMART program per The GRIT Institute. You will be included in the list of the GRIT Institute network of certified resilience trainers at the website resiliencetrainer.com.
Please note: This certification does not provide you with the credentials to teach SMART or another resilience program in clinical(medical or psychiatric) settings to patients for improving mental health or other medical conditions. This certification is for providing SMART training to enhance general wellbeing and resilience.
The training is not limited to a particular professional group. The most common professionals who have previously participated in the program are: psychologists, social workers, wellness coaches, health care providers, managers/directors of wellness and resilience programs, HR personnel, personal trainers, corporate executives, student leaders, K-12 educators, higher degree educators. The GRIT Institute welcomes these and other groups to pursue resilience training.
The core competencies of the certified trainers cover your skills in delivering high quality content and your commitment to lead a good virtuous life. The five core competencies are:
Passion
A drive to make a positive contribution to the world
Excellence
A desire to excel in the chosen work
Authenticity
A coherence in thoughts, words and actions
Compassion
A disposition of kindness toward others and self
Ethics
A commitment to live with the highest morals
In addition, your ability to engage and inspire individuals and group in a participatory program, will be important to successfully teaching the SMART program.
The GRIT Institute certified trainers teach SMART program in a variety of settings to adults, both as individuals and groups. Some of the common settings include corporate, schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, individual coaching, government entities, and others.
The initial certification is valid for two years. Individuals can renew their certification for two years by participating in a yearly retreat/course offered by The GRIT Institute, along with teaching the SMART program at least 10 times in the two years.
You can continue to teach the program based on your current training and credentials but would not be able to represent yourself as a Certified Resilience Trainer.
Since we have a wide variety of participants from different fields, we haven’t applied for the education credits. We typically provide the number of training hours along with the curriculum of the course and encourage individual participants to obtain credits from their respective organizations.
The following are some of the personal benefits previous groups and trainers have reported as a result of participating in the resilience programs:
Improved personal resilience
Decreased stress
Improved wellbeing
Lower anxiety
Enhanced mindfulness
Increased happiness
Better health behaviors
Improved relationships
Greater clarity
Improved physical health
Weight loss
Enhanced sense of self-worth
Better focus
Greater career success
Deeper spirituality
Also, you will become part of a community of members who are committed to living a life guided by higher principles.
Please look at the description of the Transform course and Trainer Skills Intensive. We will provide you with more details after your registration.
The student can cancel their participation at any time.
The following is the reimbursement schedule on cancellation:
Up to two-weeks prior to start of the course - 100% refund
Within two-weeks prior to the start of the course - 50% refund
After the start of the course - 25% refund
The GRIT Institute reserves the right to cancel student’s participation for disruptive behavior.
If The GRIT Institute cancels a student’s participation after the start of the TSI course, then 50% of the tuition will be refunded.
Upon receiving the Certified Resilience Trainer certificate, you will be able to license the SMART program.
No additional licensing fee will be charged for the first two years to the individuals. After the first two years, a $500/year licensing fee will be charged for maintaining the license. A small revenue share is part of the licensing for individuals teaching the program for profit.
If you are an employee of an organization, this license covers training up to one hundred employees. Please email us if you are an organization or a company, or wish to provide training within an organization, company, or any entity with more than one hundred employees, for details about an organizational license.
Contribute toward improving the wellbeing of their community
Live by the principles of gratitude, compassion, acceptance, meaning, and forgiveness
Never misuse their position of power and respect
Treat their students with courtesy, professionalism, and grace
Follow the law of the land
Yes it is. A third of the Transform course participants take the course for their personal resilience and wellbeing and do not wish to progress to CeRT status.
The GRIT Institute’s purpose is to help create a stronger, kinder, and happier world. The initial activity of the GRIT Institute will be to support the training of individuals who wish to become certified resilience trainers. The GRIT Institute will expand its work and collaboration in the coming years depending on its resources and the felt societal needs.
Guided by Experts, Inspired by Parents
Learn from the diversity of experts who are members of our parenting panel.
Encouraging proof that our programs have demonstrated efficacy for improving stress, resilience, mindfulness, anxiety, depression (mild to moderate), wellbeing and health behaviors.
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Director, Organizational Development & Change Management, Novo Nordisk
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Amit Sood
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Arush Chandna
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Bridget Berkland
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Carla Paonessa
MD
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Debbie Fuehrer
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Gauri Sood
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Julie Schmidt Hasson
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Meera Narasimhan
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Richa Sood
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Rocio Huet
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Sandy Chandna
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Sara Blanchard
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Seema Kumar
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Sheila Anderson
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Sherry Chesak
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Tanya Goodin
We’d love to hear from you.
Write to us with a question, with feedback, for information, or just to say hello!
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