The Social Insights Podcast: Recent Episodes
Shray J-S.
From the title of today’s post, some of my astute readers may have already figured out that I’m a Murakami fan. And yes, they’re absolutely right. It’s hard not to be. The imaginative stories, tactile use of language, and personal flair that erupts from the surface of each page can make any uninitiated individual enthralled by his writing and eager to continue reading. So much so that they might find themselves at the end of a novel with a voracious appetite to pick up the next. Not feeling a novel? Why not pick up one of his short stories instead? In his finite universe, an infinite number of ideas unveil themselves. Cleverly interwoven through tantalizing plots and twists, these ideas make you appreciate the internationally acclaimed Japanese, whose writings have been translated into several languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
One of his short books that has had a marvelous influence on me is ‘What I talk about when I talk about running’. Part memoir and part affinity for long-distance running (LDR), it’s a tale that displays Murakami’s indefatigable character. Like Murakami, I’ve found deep satisfaction in LDR and may want to complete an ultra one day. Yet, another non-professional interest has somewhat edged out LDR. It’s an activity that I enthusiastically look forward to on Saturday mornings, almost to the extent of a zealot.
The activity requires you to ‘roll with the punches’ quite literally. Obviously the title gave it away. And there’s a burgeoning interest from tech bros and gals in combat sports but here’s what I talk about when I talk about boxing.
[Action: Fake JAB]
Resiliency: learning to take a punch
My first sparring session was an intense one. I remember being on the receiving end of a barrage of powerful blows from part-time boxers who were 10 kilograms heavier than me, more lethal, and dynamic in their movements. From the beginning, I stood no chance. Heck, I wondered why I was in the ring at all. What unfolded was carnage. To an onlooker, it may have seemed like Bivol dismantling a naive and inexperienced opponent with technical acumen that only a connoisseur of combat sports could truly appreciate. Startled and slightly dizzy by the end of the session, I was left with a black eye and an adrenaline rush that only a sociopathic junkie could match.
Sorry, this sport is not for the faint of heart nor is it for risk averse people. I mean it.
It requires physical, emotional, and mental toughness. No, scratch that. It requires demands physical, emotional, and mental toughness. These traits are necessary prerequisites to build anything great. Be it a relationship, product, or company. And I suppose I didn’t fully grasp or appreciate this until I stepped into the ring 2 years ago and moved away from the stationary punching bags. Until I put on my gloves and protective gear. Until I took my first power punch to the face and nearly ended up on the ring floor. Until I had to manage my fear, anxiety, and excitement in the heat of the battle. Until I had to adjust in real-time. Because if I didn’t, I would feel unnecessary and real pain.
But sometimes going through trials and tribulations is what enables you to bounce back. To be better informed and equipped the next time around, especially under immense pressure. In the ring and outside.
[Action: JAB]
Endurance: looking beyond the ring
Take a sneak peek at camp life and you slowly grapple with the realities of what it takes to become a professional, bursting with stamina. Amateurs may push it to the limits over 3 rounds, whereas a professional needs to survive 12 rounds. 12 long rounds that feel like an eternity.
Without a well-conditioned body, maintaining peak physical and mental performance can be challenging. If you look beyond the silly promotional derision that is often required to boost PPV figures and instead pay close attention to a top fighter’s training schedule, you may begin to respect these athletes more than the usual neophyte. Their rigorous and strict regimen cannot be sustained without the commitment and fervent support of those closest to them. Typically, the dedicated support team consists of coaches, nutritionists, fitness trainers, medical staff, and even sparring partners.
Such preparations necessitate a dramatic and focused lifestyle change, which can have positive spillover effects in other life domains.
Though I have no intention of becoming a professional boxer anytime soon, the sport has elevated my endurance and strength in ways that seemed unimaginable a year ago. From diet to recovery to weight management, my discipline has been rigorously tested and honed. I haven’t joined an official camp yet but the push to live a healthier lifestyle to reach peak physical fitness has been a journey that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Alongside attempts to follow a lightweight version of the Blueprint protocol, given my deeper fascination with extending healthspan, boxing has fundamentally changed my relationship with exercise and flow states.
[Action: Sidestep]
Art: Jab, jab, step back, and power cross. Some see punches. Others see art in motion.
London’s art galleries and museums have not disappointed me. If you find yourself in the city with some spare time on your hand, I would recommend visiting the Victoria & Albert museum or V&A for short. The Friday Lates are a special treat and I insist you check it out. There are also some cafés in the area for my coffee + croissant aficionados. It’s the small treats that can make all the difference.
Back to the ostentatious halls of the V&A.
Perhaps you might find yourself wandering around one of the many galleries and come across a painting that you…je ne sais quoi…don’t understand. Hmmmm…. Perhaps you take the next logical step to read the esoteric description but still can’t discern the underlying meaning. There seems to be a disconnect. “What is it that the artist is attempting to express?” may be the immediate thought. Unbothered, you tilt your head and turn your attention to the next painting. But right beside you is an individual who’s captivated by that same exact piece. No, let’s scratch another word. Who’s captivated mesmerized by that same exact piece.
To the initiated and well-informed, they see beyond the surface and see the art for what it is. A magnum opus. In boxing, as in Murakami’s storytelling, there’s a rhythm and dance that transcends the surface experience. It can take time and effort to develop such recognition. But I believe it can be developed and refined. Similarly, behind the gruesome nature of boxing lies a delicate art. The combination of jabs, hooks, crosses, and uppercuts might just seem like ordinary movements to the regular bystander. But to the connoisseur, it’s more than that. It’s an art in motion. Its mesmerizing effects can only be understood if its underlying techniques are fully appreciated. And like many forms of art, it has the unique ability to bring people together.
[Action: Cross]
Friendship: some artifacts are invaluable
Every now and then, I’ll rewatch Jobs’ ‘05 Stanford commencement address. It’s packed with wisdom and some fascinating life stories. If you’re looking for a holiday read, why not check out the archive named after him and read ‘Make Something Wonderful’?
Anyways, one quote from his address has stuck with me for a few years as I’ve embarked on new pursuits:
“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
You see, I never intended to start a new sport, not in the least boxing. Nor did I know much about it until a close and important friend encouraged me to give it a go. I’m thankful for his recommendation. Working backwards and connecting the dots, it’s apparent that it has become more than just a pastime. More like a ritual that’s on repeat practically every Saturday: 5 - 10K run (check out Founders Running Club - we have a few global chapters), 60 minutes boxing session, 45 minutes low-intensity strength training, and 15 minutes in the Sauna. Sure, the process takes a few precious hours of my time but sets an upbeat tone for the rest of the day and following week.
And sure, this amount of activity could be perceived as unusual, perhaps borderline abnormal, like some peers have told me. But I assure you that you too, my dear reader, are capable of something like this. Whether it be in this sport or another endeavor altogether. Expend focused effort, be prepared for regular downfalls, and push long enough till the repetitions become habitual. No matter how trivial the constructive pursuit may appear to be at first sight, repeat it several times and it’ll feel like art in motion. This concept, I strongly believe.
Beyond my silly ritual, boxing has helped me find community and a sense of belonging in mutual suffering, albeit for an hour. Just as friendship is about balancing support and challenge, so too is boxing about the balance of strength and strategy. Like many sports, boxing transcends cultural, social, and economic boundaries. For the most part, it’s inclusive and promotes fitness, inspiration, and even conflict resolution. It has the capacity to bring together people, playing finite and infinite games. While finite players play within boundaries and seek to solely win, infinite players play with boundaries and seek perpetual play, learning, and growth. Be an infinite player. I’m not there yet but will continue trying.
Maybe I should compete in a white-collar fight next year. Yes, maybe I will and I’ll report on it. In the meantime, I’ll be on the sidelines cheering friends along as they compete in the near-term. Because seeing them succeed, both personally and professionally, brings me immense joy.
Whether it’s boxing or another passion, I implore you to find a pursuit that challenges, excites, and ultimately transforms you. Because some bonds know no bounds.
[Action: Hook]
KO.
Your ‘boxing’ amateur, Shray
P.S. Oh, and Happy 2024 - wishing you plenty of love and good health. :)
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An open-ended conversation with Jason Mironov, a director at TA Associates' Menlo Park office, where he leads investments in business and financial services companies based primarily in North America. Since the company's inception in 1968, TA has raised ~$32 billion in capital, opened 5 offices, and executed over 525 investments. Since joining the firm in 2012, Jason's investments have spanned from entities operating in information services to integrated payments to travel. Prior to his current role at TA, Jason had stints at J.P Morgan (Corporate & Investment Banking division), Spectrum Equity Partners, and Technology Crossover Ventures. Jason holds a BBA from Michigan Ross and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
We covered Jason's most fond memories at Michigan Ross/Harvard Business School, the ongoing effects of the pandemic on private equity, meeting the founders of TA, staying true to core values, lessons learned the hard way, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), and much more. Jason was unfeigned, pellucid, and generous with his time.
To learn more about TA Associates, please visit ta.com
For the latest updates, follow Social Insights on Linkedin at linkedin.com/company/social-insights-1
An open-ended conversation with Simran Suri, an investment analyst at Equal Ventures, a $56 million fund based in NYC. Prior to joining Equal, Simran was an undergraduate at The Johns Hopkins University, where she studied international studies and sociology, in addition to leading A-Level Capital, a $350K student-run investment fund, as a managing partner.
She's a hustler, having worked at the likes of Greenspring Associates, SoGal Ventures, Predata, and Vista Equity Partners. We covered countless topics, including what differentiates a brilliant investor from the crowd, Simran's moral compass, and her playbook to break into the industry. She was well-spoken, urbane, and inspiring.
To learn more about Equal Ventures, please visit equal.vc.
For the latest updates, follow Social Insights on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/social-insights-1.