Ankur Warikoo’s Untold Story | Failure, Layoffs & Finding Real Freedom
The xMonks Drive
He had five months of money left.
School fees. Home loan EMIs. Responsibilities.
And one decision to make.
In this deeply honest conversation, Ankur Warikoo opens up about the moments that shaped him. Not the highlight reels, but the failures, insecurities, and turning points that most people never hear about.
This isn’t a typical “success podcast.”
It’s the real story behind the person India thinks it knows.
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🎙️ In This Episode, Ankur Talks About:
• The ambition spiral that quietly consumes high-performers
• The academic failures that stayed with him (IIT, CAT, career setbacks)
• Building Nearbuy, raising millions… and still falling apart
• The emotional weight of laying people off
• The books and music that helped him heal
• What “freedom” actually means beyond money
• Why slowing down might be the biggest form of growth
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📌 One of the Most Powerful Moments:
“We had only five months of money left…
and yet, we were excited about starting a new life.”
That single moment changes how you see everything.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Initial Reflections
00:22 Chasing Ambitions and Insecurities
01:47 Life as a Student and Educator
03:35 Realizations and Changes in Life
06:49 Overcoming Personal Challenges
15:24 Dealing with Professional Setbacks
25:44 Finding Solace in Books and Music
30:09 Underrated and Overrated Traits
33:25 Myths About Entrepreneurship
34:36 Debunking Entrepreneurial Myths
36:33 Mindset Shifts from Corporate to Startup
37:22 The Reality of Startup Growth
40:15 Embracing Slow and Deliberate Growth
40:35 Surprising Facts About Ankur Warikoo
43:36 Dealing with Online Trolls
47:10 Realizing You Have Enough
53:28 The Meaning of Money and Freedom
55:00 Perspectives on Wealth Creation
01:01:36 Staying Grounded Amidst Success
01:07:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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🎧 About The xMonks Drive Podcast
The xMonks Drive is hosted by Gaurav Arora, featuring long-form conversations with India’s most influential founders, creators, and leaders, on life, failure, ambition, mindset, and meaning.
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🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations!
Ankur Warikoo podcast, Ankur Warikoo failure story, Nearbuy startup, financial freedom India, Indian entrepreneurship, mindset and ambition, Gaurav Arora podcast
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#AnkurWarikoo #IndianPodcast #EntrepreneurshipIndia #xMonksDrive
🔗 Connect with us:
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vdhTjZlhltIt4e9YiBgMF?si=92853a15e3584866
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-xmonks-drive/id1549886334
Website: https://xmonks.com