Wow. I was nearly speechless during and after my conversation with today’s guest, Akshay Nanavati, who is as fascinating as he is brilliant. After serving during the Iraq War, he returned home and found himself suffering from addiction, post-traumatic stress, survivor’s guilt, depression, and alcoholism.
On the brink of suicide, Akshay discovered a unique way to find gifts in what most of us view as “negative” emotions—such as fear, stress, and anxiety—so that they would no longer hold him back. In fact, these emotions became fuel to help him achieve his greatest goals, including running across 8 countries (on his way to running across EVERY country in the world).
His new book, Fearvana, is his actionable guide to transforming fear and struggle into boundless bliss. Today, he joins the podcast to share his unbelievable story and teach us exactly how he turns what should be debilitating adversities into major successes.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- How Akshay utilized his story, his struggles, and the adversity he faced in life to create the concept of Fearvana.
- What Akshay did to run away from the so-called “real world” after his war deployment – and how an abundance of free time led him to alcoholism, a diagnosis of PTSD, and his own investigation into post-traumatic stress.
- How hitting bottom allowed Akshay to reframe survivor’s guilt, addictive tendencies, post-traumatic stress, and fear as his allies.
- Why developing a positive relationship and finding joy within struggle is key to empowerment.
- How Akshay got the Dalai Lama to endorse his book.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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