Mind over money: From stock market to badminton court: Pramod Gubbi's formula for holistic health

You are an industry veteran with decades of experience in capital markets – tell us how do you keep yourself mentally fit?

What’s worked for me is to be able to build diverse interests that can take my mind off work and at the same keep it fresh and rejuvenated – spending time with family, and friends, reading on diverse topics, playing sports,s and most importantly maintaining good physical fitness has helped me stay mentally fit as well.

How often do you incorporate strength training and yoga into your routine, and what benefits do you find from these practices?

I have played sports all my life and would like to do that for as long as possible in the future. A couple of injuries over time reinforced the need for strength training to help the body deal with the vigor of sport.

I manage 2-3 sessions a week of strength training early in the morning. I started Yoga recently more to build flexibility but realised other benefits (including mental fitness) which has made it a part of the weekly routine now.

Besides helping me enjoy my game better, they also help keep energy levels high through the day.

You mentioned playing badminton as a way to rejuvenate and enhance mental strength. Can you elaborate on how sports contribute to your overall well-being?

I don’t meditate much but from what I have understood, if taking your mind off and focusing on one thing is the deal, sport in general and in particular does that for me.

When you are on the court, you don’t think about anything else. Besides, I have learned a lot from sports throughout my life, starting with being able to deal with failure (and success), to resilience to teamwork.

How do you ensure a good sleep routine and maintain a balanced diet amidst a busy schedule?

A few years ago, I chanced upon a book – Why We Sleep by Mathew Walker and I started realising the importance of sleep both quantum and quality.

Given my early morning physical routine, I end up sleeping early. Which also means an early dinner with family with time to unwind. Also means, I have to avoid late-night flights while travelling and instead return early in the morning the next day.

Diet-wise, time-restricted feeding or intermittent fasting has helped. Also, avoiding sugars and carbs as much as possible and adding more protein and vegetables has helped.

Could you share some insights into the content you read regarding behavioral aspects and how it influences your long-term thinking?

With the explosion in blogs and podcasts, a whole lot of new content from thinkers and practitioners from diverse fields has become accessible to all of us now. It has helped build a wider perspective and connecting the dots builds new insight.

What advice would you give to others looking to maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize their well-being?

What’s worked for me is to keep a diverse set of interests whether it's reading or meeting interesting people which keeps your curiosity alive and avoids mental blocks or even burnouts, and at the same time live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

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