Be a Rolls Royce, not a Mahindra Thar

I had the pleasure of meeting a young man who shared the most inspiring story of transformation. I was meeting him after 2 years and barely recognized him. As he spoke, I was struck by his determination to deal with teenage obesity. It’s rare to see someone take charge of their life with such a balance of passion and unwavering commitment. He expressed himself with such clarity and enthusiasm. I’m left inspired not just by the physical transformation he achieved but by the resolve with which he approached his journey. His story is a reminder of the power of self-discipline and the remarkable changes we can bring about when we prioritise and align our actions with our aspirations.

This is what he had shared with me (paraphrased):
A few years ago, I found myself stuck in a rut. I was overweight, out of shape, and deeply unhappy. Ironically, I was spending all my time trying to help others—being kind, supportive, and a quintessential “nice person”—believing that it would somehow compensate for the fact that I wasn’t taking care of myself. But deep down, I knew the truth: I wasn’t serving myself. My mind was a mess, and my body reflected that inner chaos.

The breaking point came two years ago at college when I had to give a business presentation to a group of CXOs from leading brands. These were sharp, well-dressed professionals who clearly understood the importance of presentation—not just in content but what it meant to have influence over audiences through their presence.

While my delivery and content were appreciated, I saw a recording of myself later, and it was hard to watch. There I was, wearing oversized clothes, looking like Hagrid in a black coat. My words were polished, but my appearance didn’t match the energy I wanted to project. It was a wake-up call: the way you dress is the way you are addressed.

That day, I made a decision. No more excuses. No more hiding behind personality or humor. I wanted to become a version of myself that I could be proud of.. I made a commitment to lose 30 kgs over 2.5 years. It wasn’t easy. There were no shortcuts, no magic pills—just deliberate, consistent effort. I painstakingly worked on my diet and exercise regimen, tackling one day at a time.
I realized something profound along the way: happiness isn’t just about external achievements or doing everything to make others happy. Sometimes, happiness begins with giving yourself good habits—acts of self-love that pave the way for real growth. It’s only then can we be ready to give more to the world.

Today, my friends laugh when I share my personal mantra:
“Be a Rolls Royce, not a Mahindra Thar.”
(For context, the Mahindra Thar is a budget version of a G-Wagon, and while it has horsepower, it’s not what I aspire to be!)