The Vitalist Turn Toward the Fear: Why Stillness Is the Hardest (and Most Healing) Thing You’ll Ever Do with Akshay Nanavati
Let us be real with you: most people aren’t actually afraid of failure, pain, or fear itself. They’re afraid of being still long enough to feel any of it.
In this episode, Dr. Keiko sits down with Akshay Nanavati, a former Marine, ultra-endurance athlete, and author of Fearvana, who went from addiction and self-harm to attempting the first ever solo ski crossing of Antarctica, pulling a 420lb sled.
And no, this isn’t about becoming fearless. It’s about building the courage to face the parts of yourself you’ve been running from.
We talk about:
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Why fear isn’t your enemy, it’s your access point.
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How to stop distracting yourself every time fear speaks
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Why stillness is the most terrifying (and healing) thing you’ll ever do
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The neuroscience behind labeling emotions
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How Akshay went from drug addiction to becoming the most isolated life form on Earth
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What Antarctica taught him about presence, suffering, and spiritual strength
This episode is packed with wisdom to help you face your fears and finally feel the stuff that’s been trying to get your attention for years. Because the moment you stop performing and start feeling, you begin healing.
So, if you’re ready to do the hard thing? Be still. Listen. Feel.
Fear is not here to break you.
Fear is here to reveal you.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Akshay’s journey from addiction and self-harm to joining the Marines (1:50)
How “Fearvana” was born and why it’s not the antithesis of nirvana, but the access point. (4:17)
What most people get wrong about “irrational fears” (4:59)
How to engage with fear to build the muscle of courage (5:53)
From avoiding stillness to becoming the most isolated person on Earth—how Akshay trained for fear, one small step at a time (7:24)
The “two darts” of suffering, and how to stop adding to your pain (10:13)
Neuroscience-backed tools to create space between you and fear (12:15)
Akshay’s method for preparing like an astronaut (13:39)
The quote that changed everything for him: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” (15:03)
How moving to three different countries pulled Akshay into drugs, self-harm, and the identity of “the crazy one” (18:01)
How becoming a Marine revealed the purity and paradox of human suffering (19:35)
What makes suffering alone so different from suffering with others (21:38)
The uncomfortable truth: most of us do anything to avoid being alone with ourselves (25:43)
The biggest fear no one talks about: stillness (27:28)
You don’t need a cave, start training your stillness in a closet (28:11)
The mission: 1,750 miles solo across Antarctica, dragging 420 lbs for 115 days (30:02)
Why too much challenge blocks flow (32:21)
How snow, pain, and presence shaped his mindset, and the mantra that kept him going (33:38)
The real barrier to consistency? Knowing you have to do it again tomorrow (35:24)
Day 58: gut pain, possible death, and the moment he finally had to stop (36:17)
How to be with the emotional weight you carry, grief, guilt, shame, and how to stop minimizing it (38:40)
The truth about the past: you don’t have to live in a story you didn’t choose (40:23)
Pushing the edge of identity and why opposites can (and must) coexist (43:06)
Akshay’s most powerful mantra: “I am awakened to the truth that all of reality is an illusion.” (45:16)
His #1 advice if you want to step into your next level: “Be still with yourself.” (48:17)
RESOURCES:
Order your copy of Fearvana
Watch Blackhawk Down
Read Blackhawk Down
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