Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered and straight from the heart. No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life.

This week, I’m diving into my Season 5 episode with comedian and content creator Anand Raman. Under the laughs were real, human truths about validation, identity and self-worth.

Here are the three insights behind this episode.

1️⃣ The Like Chase Always Takes More Than It Gives

Anand told me his video hit 90 million views but brought in only 20,000 followers. Instead of feeling proud, he felt disappointed and unseen. That is the price of the like chase. It reshapes your creativity, pulls you away from who you are and can ruin your day when the numbers don’t land. I’ve felt that too. When you build from likes instead of purpose, you lose the joy that made you create in the first place.

2️⃣ Performing For Others Can Make You Forget Yourself

Anand shared that there are two versions of him. The amplified character people recognize online and the quiet, affectionate guy he is at home. He even said he sometimes mirrors others just to fit in. That hit close to home. Growing up away from my parents, I did the same to feel accepted. But when you spend years performing, you eventually face the hardest question of all: who am I when no one’s watching?

3️⃣ Pleasing Everyone Leaves You Empty Every Single Time

Through breathwork, Bali, and some deep honesty, Anand realised that trying to please the masses is a losing game. It never fills the inner gaps. I’ve been doing my own inner work too, slowly filling those holes one by one, like the Aero-bar image I shared in this episode. It’s the only path that actually brings grounding. Because when you close your eyes at night, the only thing that matters is whether you feel whole inside, not how many people approved of you today.

Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.

This is me, off my chest and off the cuff.

Welcome to Off Track. 🎙️✨