Fitness Coach Nimai Delgado ON: How Failure Is A Part Of Success | Summary and Q&A

Transcript

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Summary

In this podcast episode, Jay Shetty interviews Nimai Delgado, a former engineer turned vegan bodybuilder and motivational speaker. Nimai shares his journey from growing up in a spiritual vegetarian community to becoming a professional bodybuilder on a plant-based diet. He discusses the importance of finding purpose, developing a morning routine, and following your heart even when it means leaving a well-paying job. Nimai also addresses common concerns about protein and nutrients in a plant-based diet.

Questions & Answers

Q: What makes Nimai feel happy and healthy right now?

Nimai feels happy and healthy by waking up with purpose and taking care of himself through his morning routine, which includes drinking water, meditation, and other practices that have become ingrained in his life. These practices allow him to show up for the day and handle anything that comes his way.

Q: What are the key principles of Nimai's morning routine?

Nimai wakes up around 6 AM without an alarm clock and drinks a cup of water. He then finds a quiet space, known as his meditation station, and practices meditation. Although the routine is not perfect every morning, Nimai emphasizes the importance of showing up to the degree that he can. This sets the tone for his day and helps him operate with intention and attention.

Q: What are the benefits of red light in Nimai's meditation station?

Red light has numerous benefits, such as ATP production, which helps rejuvenate cells and replace damaged cells. It also provides a calming and ambient lighting in the morning, especially when it's still dark outside. Additionally, red light therapy can be beneficial for skin health and recovery from athletic training.

Q: How did Nimai's spiritual upbringing impact his values and goals?

Growing up in a spiritual vegetarian community, Nimai was raised with the value of ahimsa, which means not causing unnecessary harm or suffering. This deeply influenced his decision to follow a plant-based lifestyle. Despite feeling different from his peers, Nimai developed compassion for others' differences and appreciates the connection he had with animals and his spiritual beliefs. This upbringing also shaped his desire to provide financial stability for his family, leading him to pursue engineering.

Q: What made Nimai realize engineering wasn't the right path for him?

On his first day of work as an engineer, Nimai felt a sense of dissatisfaction and realized he would have to do this job for the next 40 years. This realization made him question his career choice and sparked the desire to pursue something more meaningful. Although he felt uncertain about the next step, he knew he wanted to make a greater impact and follow his heart.

Q: How did Nimai cope with five years of working as an engineer before making a career switch?

During his time as an engineer, Nimai used the gym as an escape and a place of peace. He found solace in working out and enjoyed the process of developing his physical self. Additionally, he knew he had to provide for himself and saw the engineering job as an opportunity for financial stability. However, he always had a side passion for teaching people to be vegan and in shape. It took five years of planning and building a platform to systemize his teaching approach before he was able to fully transition into his passion.

Q: How did Nimai make the switch from engineering to pursuing his passion?

Nimai used his engineering skills to create systems and processes for teaching people how to lift weights, providing educational content, and offering meal planning. He partnered with a software engineer to build a platform that could serve thousands of clients at a time. When he launched his first program, he made more money in a week than he did in a year as an engineer. This success gave him the conviction to pursue his passion and make a greater impact in the world.

Q: What nutrients are commonly questioned in a plant-based diet?

The most common concern about a plant-based diet is protein. Nimai acknowledges that protein is an important nutrient for recovery, health, and vitality. However, he believes there is a lack of education regarding the amount of protein that plants provide. He emphasizes the need to understand individual protein requirements and the abundance of plant-based protein sources. Other nutrients that may require attention in a plant-based diet are B12 and iron, but Nimai explains that these can also be managed through proper education, diverse food choices, and supplementation.

Q: How did Nimai overcome the perception that plant-based diets lack sufficient nutrients?

Nimai always believed that he didn't need animal products to be big and strong, based on his own personal experience growing up vegetarian. Despite receiving criticism and skepticism, Nimai stayed true to his beliefs and focused on how his body felt without consuming animal products. Over time, he proved to himself and others that a plant-based diet could support his athletic goals and overall well-being. Nimai emphasizes the importance of education and individualized approaches to meet nutritional needs.

Q: How does Nimai view his challenging experiences in hindsight?

Nimai believes that every challenging experience has shaped him and provided valuable lessons. He sees these experiences as opportunities for growth, resilience, and gaining perspective. Even though certain moments may be painful or difficult, he trusts that they are happening for his benefit and contribute to his personal development and success.

Takeaways

Nimai's journey from engineering to a plant-based bodybuilder and motivational speaker highlights the importance of finding purpose and following your heart. His story emphasizes the value of developing a morning routine and being mindful of self-care practices. Nimai's experience also challenges common misconceptions about protein and nutrient deficiencies in a plant-based diet. The key takeaways include recognizing that difficult experiences can shape and inspire personal growth, using engineering skills to create systems and processes for pursuing passion, and understanding the importance of education and individualized approaches in nutrition.