I recently had the pleasure to interview Shazia Mirza for The European. Shazia has worn many hats: biochemist, schoolteacher, stand-up comic, reality TV survivor and now a soap star. The interview captures her remarkable journey from being a science teacher in London to becoming a comedian and actor. As one of the first Muslim women to break through the British comedy scene, she’s forged a career in a space that didn’t seem to have room for her. Needless to say, I’m highly impressed by her accomplishments and couldn’t help but note her pragmatic mindset that drove her to achieve her dreams.
Shazia Mirza’s life is governed by a powerful and pragmatic mindset, which can be summarized through the following core principles:
- Embrace Pragmatism Over a Grand Plan: Shazia’s life has been a series of organic, unplanned transitions rather than the execution of a lifelong dream. Her career as a comedian “wasn’t some grand plan,” it “just happened.” She found her calling not by pursuing a passion, but by adopting a mindset focused on escaping a situation she disliked.
- Find Strength in Hardship: She views difficult experiences as essential training that forges a resilient mindset. She describes the “brutal” verbal abuse from students as the training that made her “bulletproof” for stand-up. Similarly, she endured horrific challenges on reality TV shows through sheer mental discipline, believing firmly that “it’s all in the mind.”
- Authenticity is the Source of Confidence: Her breakthrough came when she adopted a professional mindset focused on truth rather than on trying to be funny. This commitment to her own perspective over audience approval is the root of her confidence. This approach mirrors the ideal mindset for actors, who must find and convey emotional honesty to make a role believable. Her self-belief is so strong that if an audience doesn’t laugh, her conclusion is, “well — they’re wrong.”
- Comedy is a Serious and Healing Art: For Shazia, comedy is more than just getting laughs; it’s “deeply serious work.” She believes its purpose is to make people feel better and that “laughter is healing. It’s a release.” This sense of purpose gives her work a deeper meaning beyond simple entertainment.
- Find Joy in the Moment: Despite her tough and pragmatic exterior, the core driver of her work is a simple love for its effect. She is motivated by the pure sound of shared laughter, stating, “I do it because I love it. I love hearing people laugh… there’s nothing else like it.”
For someone who thrives on discomfort, it’s no surprise Shazia is now entering yet another unfamiliar world: publishing. Her memoir, set for release in 2026, will chart her upbringing in Birmingham and the path to becoming a comic. I wish Shazia all the best for the book and I look forward to learning from her.
