Finding The Strength In Trauma: Overcome Unnecessary Suffering with Akshay Nanavati

Let's Get Naked

In this powerful episode of the Let’s Get Naked Podcast, Akshay Nanavati opens up about his journey from self-destruction to strength. He shares his early struggles with drug use, the appeal of joining the Marine Corps, and what life in the infantry is truly like—including the heartbreak of losing friends and a wild story inside a 7-ton truck. Akshay reflects on the challenge of returning to civilian life, the transformative power of trauma, and how suffering can become a source of purpose if we choose to reframe it. He also discusses the insights that inspired his book and recounts an incredible survival story from Antarctica. This episode is a raw, inspiring reminder that pain is inevitable—but how we use it defines us.

Akshay Nanavati has overcome drug addiction, PTSD from fighting in Iraq with the Marines (where one of his jobs was to walk in front of vehicles to find bombs), depression and alcoholism that pushed him to the brink of suicide. Since then, by embracing his demons, he has built a global business, run many ultramarathons, spent 17 days in darkness and solation, spent 100 days alone dragging heavy sleds for over 1200 miles in the polar regions.

Despite 4 biological defects including a blood disorder that 2 doctors told him would kill him in boot camp, he is now a sponsored athlete and most recently he pushed his body to the brink of death, spending 60 days alone in Antarctica dragging a 420 sled for 500 miles on what has been called "the boldest Antarctic expedition in modern times."

Combining his life experience with years of research in neuroscience, psychology and spirituality, he wrote the book "Fearvana," about which the Dalai Lama said "Fearvana inspires us to look beyond our own agonizing experiences and find the positive side of our lives." Now Akshay travels the world sharing the wisdom he has unearthed from the most extreme depths of solitude and suffering. He is on a mission to help our human family explore the edges and fall in love with both play and suffering in order to create a life of greater meaning, joy and fulfillment.

https://www.instagram.com/fearvana/#

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fearvana/

https://fearvana.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/fearvana

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).