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

What does it mean to rebuild yourself - when life breaks you open?

Angus Maxfield is the founder of Jumeirah Johns Running Club (JJRC) - one of Dubai’s most authentic and fastest growing fitness communities built around connection, discipline, and self-discovery. But beyond the running shoes and sunrise miles, Angus’ story is one of resilience - learning to find purpose after losing his brother, and using movement as a form of healing.

In this raw conversation, we explore how pain becomes power, how risk defines your 20s and 30s, and why staying pure and authentic is the highest form of strength. Angus shares the lessons that running, and life, have taught him about grief, growth, and being human.

In this episode, we cover:

🏃‍♂️ The rise of Jumeirah Johns Running Club (JJRC) and how community transforms people

💔 Turning personal loss into purpose, and running as therapy

⚡ Why your 20s & 30s are for risk, failure, and self-trust

💬 What “purity is king” really means - and how to protect it

🧠 How authenticity becomes your compass for resilience and reinvention

JJRC's Instagram: @jumeirahjohnsrunningclub

Angus’ Instagram: @angusmaxfield

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.

Chirag Suri is one of the most recognisable faces in Associate cricket - a former vice-captain of the UAE national team, the first player from the country to be picked in the IPL by Gujarat Lions in 2017, and one of the leading ODI run-scorers in the world in 2022. But behind the milestones and headlines lies a much deeper story - one of identity, burnout, mentorship, and the courage it takes to walk away from the game you once loved.

In this raw and reflective conversation, Chirag opens up about the defining moments of his journey - from the lessons he learned from Yuvraj Singh and his close friendships with Indian stars like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, to the unique challenges players face in Associate nations and how he’s now redefining success beyond the boundary.

In this episode, we cover:

🧠 The mental toll of high performance and the relentless pursuit of validation

🏏 The power of mentorship and how Yuvraj Singh shaped Chirag’s mindset and game

🤝 His relationships with Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and others who influenced his journey

🌍 Why players from Associate nations face a different path to the top - and how it shapes their careers

🔄 Navigating identity, purpose, and reinvention after stepping away from professional sport

🏆 The lessons cricket teaches you about resilience, discipline, and legacy

Chirag's Instagram: @csuri128

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.

Elliot Bewick is 20 years old (yes you read that right) and unafraid to call out Gen Z’s biggest blind spots: a lack of curiosity and the widening gap between ideas and execution.

In this conversation, we explore:

🤯 Why Gen Z struggles to stay curious in a distracted world

⚡ The dangerous gap between ideating and actually building

🛠️ How to root out distractions and focus on execution

🎯 What it takes to turn thoughts into realities

🌱 Practical ways to build clarity, meaning, and momentum

This episode isn’t about complaining, it’s about solutions. If you’ve ever had big ideas but struggled to bring them to life, this is the wake-up call you need.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments - I want to know if you agree or disagree.

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.

Tevaun Smith is a former NFL wide receiver who’s lived the highs and lows of one of the toughest leagues in the world. From going undrafted to fighting for a roster spot, to suiting up for the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and later carving his path in the CFL - Tevaun knows firsthand what it means when people say “the NFL is ruthless.”

In this episode of Decoding Wisdom, we dive into:

• 🏈 Why the NFL can be as unforgiving as it is glamorous

• 🧠 The mental battles of self-belief through constant rejection

• 🙏 What it takes to keep faith when your dream feels out of reach

• 🎯 The importance of decision-making and finding purpose beyond football

• 🔄 How to recognize that your worst day might still be someone else’s best

  
  

It’s a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, identity, and betting on yourself when the odds aren’t in your favour.

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.

Matt Campoli is the founder of The Coffee Party, Toronto real estate tycoon and the host of Priced to Sell, and a creator who’s been on a quiet but powerful journey of inner transformation.

In this episode, we explore what happens when outward success stops feeling fulfilling - and why so many of us go searching for answers outside ourselves, when in reality, they’ve been within us all along. This is a conversation about faith, identity, surrender, and the soul’s compass.

🔍 What we cover:

• The rise of The Coffee Party and the deeper intention behind it
• Why Matt stopped chasing external validation and started looking inward
• His journey through burnout, identity shifts, and spiritual reconnection
• How real estate and content creation shaped, and tested, his sense of self
• The difference between building for applause and building for alignment
• Why solitude, stillness, and surrender are essential for growth

I had such a powerful time sitting down with Matt. This was one of those conversations that reminded me why I started Decoding Wisdom in the first place - real people, raw truths, and deeper meaning. Grateful to Matt for opening up and sharing his journey so vulnerably.

🌐 Check them out:

📸 Matt’s Instagram: @mattcampoli

☕ The Coffee Party: @thecoffeeparty

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.