Untether Your Life

By Nikhil TorsekarHealth & Fitness Mental Health

Untether Your Life episodes

November 30, 2022 43: Niraj Naik, Founder, SOMA Breath: Tapping into Your "Inner Pharmacy" Through Breathwork, Music, Dance, and Community
Niraj Naik has a highly effective prescription to optimize the health of your mind, body, and soul. He is a certified UK pharmacist, turned holistic wellness, brain training and breath work expert who launched SOMA Breath. Through SOMA, Niraj has trained thousands of coaches in the powerful, scientifically-backed benefits of breathwork, music, dance, and community.
Niraj developed a course called Breathwork for Life that is among the most popular on Mindvalley, a personal transformation platform with more than 12 million members. His journey is a fascinating one that demonstrates the power of "owning your health" and "untethering your life" - the key tenets of Untether Your Life.
In this episode, podcast host Nikhil Torsekar and Niraj touch on the following topics:
Niraj's time as a highly successful DJ, hosting some of the UK's largest raves, followed by returning to a his "fall back career" as a community pharmacist
How a Tony Robbins event opened his eyes to the power of nutrition, breathing, and other nascent forms of biohacking to optimize health
Niraj's application of these holistic health management principles as a pharmacist to rave reviews, which then ended and sent him into a deep depression combined with nearly fatal ulcerative colitis
Niraj's "dark night of the soul," which led to a discovery of Ayurveda, meditation, music, "brain training," colostrum, and other alternatives to invasive surgery and dangerous medication
Niraj's reinvention as "the renegade pharmacist," creation of content on YouTube, development of a music therapy business, and collaboration with Marisa Peer and Wim Hof
How SOMA Breath has won over skeptics in the Indian medical community through the stamp of approval from Cambridge University
The "inner pharmacy" paradigm of SOMA Breath, as a more personalized, fun alternative to the one-size-fits-all "pill for every ill" pharmaceutical model
How community be beneficial in the healing process, but also lead to rigid, dogmatic indoctrination
Reflections on Mindvalley, where Niraj and Nikhil had met, and how a trip to the company's "AFest" led to a very fruitful partnership
Nikhil's reflections on teaching SOMA Breath box breathing to a classroom of 3rd graders, and the myriad benefits of teaching the next generation breathwork and meditation
The science behind breathwork, leveraging studies by Dr. Prakash Chintamani Malshe, and the benefits on generation of stem cells for healing
To learn more about SOMA Breath, visit the Website, or sign up for a free masterclass.
You can also connect with Niraj on his Instagram channels (@nirajnaikofficial and @somabreath) and his Facebook group.
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about Untether Your Life:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter

1 hr 10 min
November 23, 2022 42: The Power of Acceptance in "Befriending Bipolar:" Oliver Seligman, Mental Wellness Coach, Author, and Meditation Expert
Bipolar disorder is at its core a global issue: although the systems for managing the disease vary from country to country, it impacts more than 45 million people worldwide. With this, it is always enlightening to speak with individuals around the globe who have found strategies for effectively managing the disorder.
Oliver Seligman, today's guest, is a prime example: mental wellness coach, advocate, meditation teacher, and author of Befriending Bipolar and The Broker Who Broke Free. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Oliver was diagnosed with bipolar type one at seventeen. Having spent time in mental hospitals in Norway, Australia and the U.K, he finally gave up the fight, learned to accept his illness, and turned his life and his relationship with bipolar around.
Join host Nikhil Torsekar and Oliver Seligman as they explore numerous subjects, including:
The meaning of the title “Befriending Bipolar:” how Oliver adopted the calm, accepting mindset of the Tai Chi master, versus the bloodied, aggressive professional boxer
A deeper dive into aspects of bipolar disorder that Oliver experienced, including mania (euphoric and agitated), hypomania, depression
The key practices that helped Oliver manage his bipolar disorder, including medication, meditation,
An overview of time inside a mental hospital, how it differs from classic depictions in media (i.e., One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), and the variances in approach to mental health between the United States, Norway, Scotland, and India
What constitutes a “good,” versus “bad” therapist
The pivotal importance of relationships in effective management of bipolar disorder
Oliver’s journey with meditation, including The Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension
The benefit of taking a light-hearted (versus excessively serious) approach to discussing mental illness
Tactics for effectively managing bipolar disorder, including asking for help, finding purpose, and surrounding yourself with the right people
Authors who have contributed to greater understanding of the disorder, including Kay Redfield Jameson and mutual connection
You can connect with Oliver on his YouTube channel, Instagram, LinkedIn, and his Website - befriendingbipolar.co.uk.
Check out his books on Amazon, including Befriending Bipolar and The Broker Who Broke Free.
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about Untether Your Life:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
47 min
November 15, 2022 41: Excerpts from the SAAPRI Health Equity Project "Movember" Panel with Nikhil Torsekar, Karan Gowda, and Emmanuel Ravichandar
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Untether Your Life journey has been collaborating with organizations such as the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI). SAAPRI is a non-profit nonpartisan organization established in 2001 with the mission to serve South Asian Americans in the Chicago area by using research to formulate equitable and socially responsible policy.
Nikhil appeared as a panelist on the SAAPRI Health Equity Project “Movember” panel held on IG Live. The topic of the discussion was men's health (in observance of the famous “Movember” movement), as well as mental health in the South Asian diaspora. We've taken excerpts of this discussion and presented them here for your review. To learn more about SAAPRI, please visit saapri.org.
Some of the topics covered include:
How gratitude can devolve into gaslighting when South Asian immigrant parents unintentionally invalidate their children’s concerns
A brief overview of SAAPRI organization, and the panelists Karan Gowda and Emmanuel Ravichandar
Nikhil background of Untether Your Life, and its mission of helping people own their own health, and untether their lives from “templates” of what success looks like, specifically through the lens of the South Asian diaspora
Nikhil’s experience with bipolar disorder, and the analogy to the movie Limitless with Bradley Cooper
How the concept of bipolar disorder has evolved since 20 years ago
Social media - its benefits (driving community and engagement) and disadvantages (portraying unattainable false images of others) vis-à-vis mental health for South Asians
The limitations of mental health resources at universities, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic
Why South Asians are typically unwilling to seek help until mental illness reaches crisis proportions
One reason bipolar disorder is so difficult to diagnose: people may misinterpret mania as their loved one “coming out of a funk,” and welcome it
How gender, race, and other demographic factors may impact choice of a therapist
To learn more about SAAPRI, please visit their Website at saapri.org. You can also connect with them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about the Untether Your Life platform:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

40 min
November 08, 2022 40: Rahul Kay, CEO, Sukhi: Finding Mindful Happiness In an Increasingly Burned Out World
The crux of the Untether Your Life platform lies in "owning your health," through healing practices beyond surgery, medication, cognitive therapy, and other traditional modalities. Additionally, it is all about untethering ourselves from conventional career paths and "templates" handed down over generations - especially as South Asian immigrants.
As such, we were very excited to speak with Rahul Kay, Founder and CEO of Sukhi, a company that seeks to reduce corporate burnout and promote wellness through both in-person activities and an innovative digital app. The platform focuses on numerous areas, ranging from meditation and mindfulness to improving performance in the workplace. Sukhi includes Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Amazon, Microsoft, and numerous other leading organizations in its impressive roster of more than 50 clients.
Join Rahul and host Nikhil Torsekar as they touch on
The definition of the term Sukhi (Sanskrit for "happiness")
Rahul's time at a 10-day retreat at Global Vipassana Pagoda in India
Differences between Sukhi and Calm, Headspace, and other mental health apps on the market
Concepts that informed the launch of Sukhi, including positive psychology and Vipassana meditation
How Sukhi is similar to a "Peloton for emotional wellness"
How the pressures of business school and management consulting informed Sukhi
The resistance of many South Asians to therapy
"Model minority" - why it's a true myth
Rahul and Nikhil's motivation to better leverage meditation - "in their DNA" - to manage mental health
How Sukhi is being implemented at corporations
Future plans for Sukhi
To learn more about Rahul and Sukhi, please visit thesukhiproject.com
You can also follow the company on Instagram and Twitter.
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about The Shelly Story:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

46 min
November 01, 2022 39: Paris Prynkiewicz: On Strategies to Live Well Bipolar - A Crooked Illness
Paris Prynkiewicz was diagnosed with depression at age 16, while her suspicion of having bipolar disorder was ignored by doctors because her productive life didn’t “fit the mold”. A few years later, she was hospitalized and court-ordered into treatment, leading to a life-changing journey of healing.
Podcaster and author of the incredible memoir, Crooked Illness: Lessons From Inside & Outside Hospital Walls, Paris Prynkiewicz is joining host Nikhil to discuss her mental health and how the shame she felt surrounding her bipolar diagnosis affected her road to recovery. You’ll also hear both of their experiences with inpatient psychiatric treatment.
On her podcast Live Well Bipolar, Paris shines light on many issues and possible solutions for those living with bipolar. Today, she’s sharing what has helped her conquer her mental health, including evaluating relationships, finding community, and challenging her inner critic.
Tune in to hear an inspiring story of change and learn how to find gratitude in the little things!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Paris’ background and advocacy
How she came up with the term “Crooked Illness” for her podcast and memoir
Paris shares her diagnosis journey
Nikhil and Paris reflect on their experiences with inpatient treatment
Changing relationships and finding community
What has helped Paris manage her mental health?
Paris' work with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and more mental health organizations
Starting her podcast (Live Well Bipolar)and its goals
What’s next in Paris’ personal and professional life
Advice to anyone struggling with mental health issues
To learn more about Paris Prynkiewicz, listen to her podcast Live Well Bipolar on Apple Podcasts and check out her memoir, Crooked Illness: Lessons From Inside & Outside Hospital Walls.
You can follow Paris on Instagram!
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about The Shelly Story:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

43 min
October 26, 202238: Mrinal Gokhale: Author of Saaya Unveiled Reflects on Mental Health in the South Asian Diaspora
With the publication of her book Saaya Unveiled, Mrinal Gokhale is trying to help break the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in her community. She joins host Nikhil on The Shelly Story this week to discuss the harmful model minority myth, and how it can lead to intense pressures and lack of focus on mental health issues.
Host Nikhil of The Shelly Story, and today’s guest, Mrinal Gokhale, reflect on shared similar experiences of being from an immigrant family. Mrinal and Nikhil have dealt with the repercussions of mental illness, which are compounded by shame and stigma in South Asian culture. However, Mrinal and Nikhil both ultimately found redemption through diagnosis, finding the right treatment plan, and sharing their stories through podcasts, books, and other creative outlets.
Mrinal and Nikhil touch on the irony that South Asians often have closed-minded views on mental health, considering that wellness modalities like yoga and mindfulness originated in India. In this episode, you’ll also learn how self-awareness can help you get through life and career challenges.
Tune in for a personal look into mental health from the South Asian perspective, and the importance of sharing your story!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Mrinal shares her mental health background

Pressures of the model minority myth

Mrinal’s education and career

Mental health is taboo in the South Asian culture

What neurodivergence and neurodiversity taught Mrinal about herself

How the pandemic affected her life and work

The positive outcomes of getting a diagnosis

Do you need a South Asian therapist to feel understood?

Falsehoods surrounding marriage and divorce in South Asian cultures

Eastern philosophies and South Asian modalities of wellness

Finding community through her book, Saaya Unveiled
Learn more about South Asian mental health in Mrinal’s book, Saaya Unveiled!
Connect with Mrinal:
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok
Resources mentioned:
Brown Girl Magazine
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about The Shelly Story:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
37 min
October 19, 2022 37: Kiersten Parsons Hathcock - Little Voices, Big Impact: Intuitive Powers in Healing from Trauma
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
This quote attributed to Albert Einstein describes our collective misunderstanding of the relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind. For those who have experienced trauma, the learned act to rationalize our experiences can mean missing sometimes life-changing information from our subconscious. By tapping into her own intuition, today’s guest was able to escape an abusive relationship and start to heal.
Joining Shelly on today’s episode is Kiersten Parsons Hathcock, founder of Mod Mom Furniture, TEDx Speaker, and author of the book Little Voices: How Kids in Spirit Helped a Reluctant Medium Escape and Heal From Abuse. Kiersten is also an intuitive medium, and uses her gift at the National Institute for Law & Justice (NILJ), which she helped create with CEO Mark Pucci.
Kiersten is sharing her emotional story of healing her inner child, including repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse and finding—and then learning to listen to—her intuition. She also discusses wounded detachment, trauma bonding, and what she’s learned from children in spirit.
As you’ll hear Kiersten say in this episode, knowledge is power, so tune in to learn about intuition, healing your inner child, and more!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Kiersten on her book, Little Voices
Her cathartic experience writing a letter to her abuser
Acknowledging and healing her inner child
Breaking the cycle of generational trauma
The story behind National Institute for Law & Justice (NILJ)
What pushed Kiersten to leave her relationship with a narcissistic abuser
Kiersten explains wounded attachment and trauma bonding
How to tap into your intuition
Using binaural beats to get into an alpha state of mind
Kiersten speaks to future generations
The creation of Mod Mom Furniture
Kiersten’s final thoughts and resources for abuse survivors
If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to grab Kiersten Parsons Hathcock’s book Little Voices: How Kids in Spirit Helped a Reluctant Medium Escape and Heal From Abuse!
Connect with Kiersten:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
TikTok
Connect with Shelly to learn more about Untether Your Life:
Website
Instagram
47 min
October 11, 202236: Jason Goldberg Is Ruining Everything - and Making Us 5% Happier In the Process
Do personal growth books and podcasts make you roll your eyes? Are you tired of hearing the same story of “infinite inspiration” rehashed again and again? Then the guest on this episode of The Shelly Story may be the perfect alternative solution to the dry and heavy content that you’re used to.
On today’s episode we speak with an award-winning entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, bacon-atarian (that's a vegetarian who still eats bacon), funky sock lover, a former rapper (who opened for the Wu-Tang Clan - YES, really!), and previously a 332lb man (who has since lost over 130lbs despite his affinity for bacon).
The legendary person just described (in his own humble words) is Jason “JG” Goldberg, host of The Jason Goldberg is Ruining Podcasting Podcast, who is also a best-selling author of Prison Break, and celebrity mental performance coach. He is also a content creator and active contributor to MindValley, a transformational personal growth platform that is a personal favorite of our host Nikhil Torsekar, and his wife Shelly Sood.
With a desire to do things his own fun way, Jason has applied his passion for storytelling and witty sense of humor to help others find their happiness. He believes our resistance to experiences is what causes unhappiness or discontent, and he’s talking with host Nikhil today about how he reframes his thoughts on the daily to find joy.
Listen to this episode for lots of laughs, Jason’s thoughts on identity and ego, and to learn more about why Nikhil and Jason both love MindValley!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Jason’s background and career

The story behind Jason’s book, Prison Break

How Jason changed his life and mindset

Jason’s weight loss and the impact on his life

Resistance and its role in happiness

The concept of play in your self-improvement

Jason’s inspiration for his podcast

Working as a mental performance coach

Jason’s definition of and thoughts on intuition

Jason’s current focus on identity

Using Batman to explain the importance of identity

Nikhil and Jason’s experience with MindValley

What’s next for Jason?
Check out JG’s book and listen to his podcast here: http://TheJasonGoldberg.com/
Connect with Jason:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about The Shelly Story:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
39 min
October 04, 202235: Dr. Tracy Winter, "Nerd Coach," on Neurodiversity, Stormtroopers, and Solving the World's Problems
Being “gifted” doesn’t only refer to intelligence; people can be highly skilled in other areas, such as emotionality, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Neurodiversity captures the broad range of unique strengths of individuals who don’t neatly fit the typical molds that society creates. But who is serving this population of gifted adults?
Dr. Tracy Winter, aka the “Nerd Coach,” is on the show to discuss her experience coaching gifted adults and why their quirky brains are so important. She believes that neurodivergent people can change the world; they just need to live in a world where they’re able to flourish and function at their highest level.
Take a peek at Tracy’s LinkedIn profile or website for Nerd Coach and you’ll see this exemplified in one photo that shows a row of ducks, with one odd duck having a stormtrooper helmet for a head. Not everyone is “normal;” some of us are ducks, some are stormtroopers strong in their armor, and some are something entirely different — like a squirrel.
Tracy has been hired by both businesses and gifted adults in various stages of life, many of them also having ADHD, autism, and other disorders. Just like the unique brains of her clients, Tracy’s coaching process is completely individual to each person.
Whether you need help thriving in your career as an artist, scientist or stay at home parent, this episode can give you some insight and a place to look for help!
Topics discussed in this episode:
The concept of giftedness

Tracy’s career and educational background

The philosophy behind Tracy’s coaching business, “Nerd Coach”

How Tracy’s Stormtrooper photo reflects the philosophy of her business

What drew Tracy to her profession as a coach for gifted adults

Discussion on the definition of “gifted”

Asynchronous Development

Tracy shares her experiences being a gifted child

The importance of being around others like you

Tracy’s typical client profile

Examples of famous celebrities that fit her client profile

Myers–Briggs Type Indicator and the gifted population

Being gifted and finding success in your career

How the COVID pandemic affected Tracy’s clients

Tracy’s LinkedIn Series, “If I’m so smart, why can’t I…?”
Be sure to follow Tracy on LinkedIn and check out her website for more information on Nerd Coach: https://www.nerdcoa.ch/
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about The Shelly Story:
Website
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube
45 min
September 26, 2022 34: Cain McQuinley - Owning Your Health: From Near Fatal Car Crash Survivor to Innovator in Regenerative Medicine
One of the key themes of the Untether Your Life platform is owning your health. Although doctors, nurses, and medical professionals play an important role, we are the ones who are ultimately responsible for optimizing the health of our mind, body and soul.
Cain is a prime example of the benefits of owning your health. He transformed his life by going against the one-size-fits-alfl treatment model prevalent in today's healthcare system.
After suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a teenager, Cain McQuinley pushed through the subsequent struggles to take charge of his own health and decided to experiment with regenerative medicine.
Combined with his time studying sports medicine and regenerative medicine in college, his own injury has helped him gain insight and knowledge to advocate for others in his roles at the nonprofit Veterans In Pain, and Regenerative Ops.
Cain found success with stem cell therapy and ketamine infusion therapy, combined with positivity, perseverance, dogged stubbornness, and refusal to accept the status quo.
Tune in to this episode to get inspired and learn more about cutting edge regenerative medicine!
Topics discussed:
Cain tells the story of his TBI and recovery time spent in the hospital
How Cain’s TBI and drug-induced coma inspired him to explore new age therapies
How Peyton Manning’s stem cell therapy inspired Cain’s interest in cutting edge therapy
The lack of regenerative therapy options in the healthcare system
Cain’s TBI symptoms and the effect on his life
Cain’s successful experience with his own stem cell IV infusion
Cain venturing into a career to make regenerative medicine available to others in need
Veterans In Pain supporting those who haven’t had success with traditional therapies
Veterans In Pain’s goal to share research and processes to adapt change within the VA
How Cain’s success with ketamine infusion therapy led to Veterans In Pain creating a branch for this treatment within the organization
The stigma of ketamine and the shifting view on psychedelics in the medical community
Cain’s inspiration to co-found Regenerative Ops
What is orthobiologics and what products does Regenerative Ops offer?
Cain’s advice to anyone who is struggling with an injury or chronic pain
The importance of advocating for yourself
How important mindset and gratitude is on a healing journey
Connect with Cain McQuinley on LinkedIn and Instagram.
To learn more about Veterans In Pain, head here: https://veteransinpain.org/
Find out more on Regenerative Ops here: https://www.regenerativeops.com/
Connect with Nikhil to learn more about the Untether Your Life platform:
Website
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
40 min

About Untether Your Life

From the publisher's feed

Untether Your Life empowers listeners to own their own health and break free of "templates" for managing physical and mental wellness, along with key issues impacting the South Asian diaspora. Nikhil Torsekar speaks with experts in meditation, folks who have struggled with mental illness, clinicians with insights on the South Asian experience, and other incredible guests.

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