Akshat Dhawan is the CEO and Founder of Rally Sports - a Dubai-based startup redefining how athletes connect, compete, and build community across the Middle East. In this episode, Akshat opens up about his journey - from growing up in the UAE, India and studying in the UK, to taking the unconventional path of entrepreneurship in Dubai. He shares what it was like to go from riches to broke, rebuild from the ground up, and discover that freedom always comes with risk.

We dive into:

💼 Why he turned down the corporate route for startups

🧠 The mindset shift from victimhood to ownership

🎓 What no one told us about startups at university

🔥 Why failure is often the best teacher

🌆 Why Dubai is the ultimate playground for entrepreneurs

This is a raw, honest look into ambition, ego, humility, and the courage to start again when the world expects you to play safe.

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...

Instagram: ⁠@sachthepodcaster

Twitter: ⁠@sachin_jha23⁠

Email: ⁠sachin@decodingwisdom.com

*Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed in this podcast are my own and do not represent those of any employer, organization or affiliate. I am not a licensed expert, and all discussions are based on personal experiences, insights, and publicly available information. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always do your own research and seek guidance from qualified professionals where necessary. Listener discretion is advised.

Cynicism feels safe. It protects you from disappointment - but it also keeps you from possibility. In this episode, I explore why so many of us mistake pessimism for intelligence, and how our ancient survival wiring still shapes the way we see modern risks.

Drawing from Naval Ravikant’s philosophy, we unpack the biological roots of pessimism, why your brain is designed to expect the worst, and how to rewrite that mental code to stay skeptical but optimistic. Because in a world where failure rarely means danger - and usually just means data - optimism becomes a strategic advantage.

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I’m just being realistic,” this episode will challenge you to ask: realistic about what - your limits or your potential?

🎧 Topics covered:

• Evolutionary psychology behind pessimism

• The difference between cynicism and skepticism

• Why optimism isn’t naïve - it’s necessary

• Naval Ravikant’s mindset on failure and iteration

• How to stay grounded but hopeful in uncertain times

Listen, reflect, and share it with someone who hides behind their “realism.”

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...

Instagram: ⁠@sachthepodcaster

Twitter: ⁠@sachin_jha23⁠

Email: ⁠sachin@decodingwisdom.com

*Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed in this podcast are my own and do not represent those of any employer, organization or affiliate. I am not a licensed expert, and all discussions are based on personal experiences, insights, and publicly available information. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always do your own research and seek guidance from qualified professionals where necessary. Listener discretion is advised.

#wisdom #navalravikant #podcast #mindset #highperformance

Chaé-Leon Hendricks is a South African IFBB Pro Bodybuilder and we go way back to being high school mates. In this episode, Chaé-Leon opens up about the silent identity crisis that followed when his football career ended. What began as loss became reinvention - through pain, iron, and faith.

We talk about the illusion of “overnight success,” the loneliness of chasing perfection, and the inner conflict of using anabolics in a sport where “you don’t make money, but you might just lose yourself.”

From being inspired by Chris Bumstead to now being compared to him, Chaé-Leon unpacks the paradox of admiration and envy, and how social media has distorted how we measure self-worth. We also dive into body dysmorphia, comparison culture, and the role of faith in reclaiming identity when everything else fades.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

🕳 The identity void after losing a dream

🙏 Faith and divine timing in rebuilding purpose

💉 The emotional truth behind anabolics & aesthetics

🪞 Body dysmorphia, comparison, and compassion

🧠 Why you must be real with yourself to evolve

💬 A raw, grounded conversation about what it really takes to build not just muscle, but purpose, and peace - from the inside out.

Get in touch in the comments below or head to...

Instagram: ⁠@sachthepodcaster

Twitter: ⁠@sachin_jha23⁠

Email: ⁠sachin@decodingwisdom.com

*Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed in this podcast are my own and do not represent those of any employer, organization or affiliate. I am not a licensed expert, and all discussions are based on personal experiences, insights, and publicly available information. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always do your own research and seek guidance from qualified professionals where necessary. Listener discretion is advised.

#bodybuilding #podcast #dubai #uae #wisdom #podcasting #weightlifting #cbum #chrisbumstead #ifbb #southafrica