What if fear isn’t your enemy but your doorway to greatness? In this powerful Inside Man episode, Gary Kadi sits down with Akshay Nanavati, US Marine, polar explorer, ultra-runner, and author of Fearvana to explore how embracing suffering can unlock joy, meaning, and purpose.

From surviving PTSD and addiction to solo expeditions in Antarctica, Akshay shares raw, transformative lessons on reframing fear and building resilience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why suffering is the foundation—not the enemy—of happiness
• How to turn survivor’s guilt and fear into fuel for growth
• Practical tools for facing fear in business, relationships, and personal life
• The mental and physical preparation behind a 115-day Antarctic expedition
• How couples can thrive while chasing big goals

Fear doesn’t have to hold you back—it can become your ultimate superpower. Akshay Nanavati has faced war, addiction, and the extreme isolation of polar exploration, yet he’s emerged with a philosophy that transforms fear into purpose. In this candid conversation, he explains how changing your relationship to suffering can unlock deep fulfillment, why labeling emotions as “bad” is dangerous, and how to harness fear as a performance tool.

From dragging 400-lb sleds across Antarctica to spending 10 days in pitch darkness, Akshay’s life experiments reveal how voluntary suffering sharpens the mind, strengthens the spirit, and opens the door to what he calls “Fearvana.” This is more than a survival story—it’s a playbook for high achievers who want to grow in business, relationships, and life.

Call to Action:

If this episode challenged your thinking, subscribe to Inside Man for more transformative conversations. Share it with a brother, leader, or entrepreneur who needs to reframe fear.

Get Akshay’s Book:

Fearvana – https://www.amazon.com/Fearvana

Follow Gary Kadi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garykadi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gary.kadi/

Most high achievers believe logic and strategy are enough to lead. But what if the very tools you rely on to control your world are keeping you from the truth? Discover the power of visual models to unlock clarity and transform your leadership. Subscribe now for more insights that bridge business success with personal fulfillment.

• Why traditional logic-driven leadership leaves blind spots for even top performers
• How Simon Bowen’s Models Method transforms complex ideas into clarity and influence
• The paradox of success and imposter syndrome—and how to overcome it
• The Genius Model that decentralizes a founder’s brilliance without diluting it
• Practical tools to simplify business decisions, scale with ease, and stay on the “green line” in life and leadership

In this powerful conversation, Gary sits down with Simon Bowen, founder of the Models Method, trusted by billion-dollar companies and thought leaders worldwide. Together, they explore how visual frameworks cut through complexity, align teams, and reveal truths leaders often avoid.

Simon shares his personal journey—from growing up in small-town Australia to advising global executives—and the mindset shifts that helped him overcome imposter syndrome and lead with authentic genius.

You’ll discover how to move from uncertainty to clarity, grind to liberation, and controlling chaos to true control in your business. Whether you’re scaling your company, preparing for a future exit, or simply searching for freedom beyond performance, this episode is packed with transformative insights that last long after you listen.

Love this episode?

Subscribe now for weekly conversations bridging business success and inner fulfillment: https://www.youtube.com/@insidemanwithGK

Connect with Simon and explore his 20-minute teaching sessions: https://www.modelsmethod.com/

• Learn more about Simon Bowen: https://www.modelsmethod.com/
• Website: https://garykadi.com/

"Don't give up on people until the miracle happens."

In this heartfelt episode of Inside Man, Gary and his son Rome open up about autism, healing strained relationships, men’s mental health, and the power of simply showing up as a dad. This is a must-watch conversation for every father and son.

Hit Subscribe now to join the movement of men transforming themselves, their families, and their futures.

• Why presence matters more than dominance in fatherhood
• Rome’s personal journey overcoming autism and finding his own voice
• Honest talk about men’s mental health and the myth of “holding it in”
• Lessons on resilience, grief, and showing up for your family even in the hardest times
• The real story of a chance encounter with legendary sportscaster Bob Costas—and how it shaped Rome’s dream career in broadcasting

This episode goes deep into the raw, unfiltered conversations fathers and sons rarely have. Gary opens up about learning to stop imposing his “alpha achiever” mindset on his son and instead choosing to simply be present and listen. Rome shares his own struggles, from navigating autism as a child to finding his path in sports journalism, all while growing up under the pressure of high expectations.

The two also unpack the emotional struggles men face, why it’s harmful to “stuff things down,” and how vulnerability can actually strengthen a man’s relationships and leadership. Rome gets candid about seeing his dad push through immense grief after losing four loved ones in less than a year—and how that resilience shaped his own outlook on life.

And, for a lighter twist, Rome recounts the unforgettable moment he met broadcasting legend Bob Costas as a kid—a chance encounter that planted the seeds for his future in sports media.

This episode is real, inspiring, and transformative—perfect for high-achieving men, fathers, and families looking to break cycles and build deeper connections.

Love this episode? Hit Subscribe and leave a comment sharing your biggest takeaway—your words may inspire another dad today.

Links & Resources:

Follow Gary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gary.kadi/

Learn more about Inside Man: https://garykadi.com/