Only Listen to Achievers

I still recall the first time I had consistently worked out for over a month during my sophomore year at UCLA. I was feeling fantastic until someone my roommate introduced made a comment that knocked my confidence:

“You're looking great, ____; Kanav, you should stop being lazy and work out like him, bro. You're definitely not doing it right.”

That remark hit me hard, and I ended up giving up on the gym altogether.

Fast forward to when I was working a 9 to 5 in Los Angeles and had been regularly exercising for about three months. I would have friends who would so casually say:

“What have you been doing bro? You look worse than before.”

A statement made without much thought, but one that could kill the confidence of an overly self-critical person like myself. This time, however, I chose to brush it off. Now, having maintained my workout routine for two years, I'm grateful that the 2022 Kanav found the resilience to ignore the negativity.

Even today, I face remarks about various aspects of my life — my attire, behavior, physique, etc. However, I ground myself with one critical question:

“Have these people, who are giving me advice or passing comments, achieved what I want?”

Most of the time, the answer is no. Reflecting on it, the real fitness enthusiasts have always encouraged me to persist (shoutout to @flexwithrishab), while criticism has often come from those who spend more time in the sauna than actually working out.

So, the next time someone has something to say about your diet, fitness, or any aspect of your life, remind yourself to ask the same question.