We recently connected with Rakesh Kumar Natarajan and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rakesh Kumar, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Recharging Through Photography, Travel, and Painting
I engage in photography, travel, and sometimes painting to regain my energy. These activities have significantly impacted my life, providing me with clarity on the purpose of life, how to overcome risky situations, handle stress, manage multiple tasks, and take care of nature. During my bike road trips, I have faced numerous challenges, met many people, and seen various scenarios and places.
One important road trip that changed my view of life was my East to West Bike Road Trip, which lasted a month. This journey taught me many life lessons on self-care, how to perform tasks more effectively, and how to take care of my surroundings.
Friends & Family Are My Greatest Medicine
Two Interesting Stories
1. Encounter with Elephants in Assam
During our ride through a forest in Assam, three elephants suddenly appeared. We managed to stop our bike in time and waited for the elephants to pass. Meanwhile, another biker came along and didn’t see the elephants. I shouted at him, “Oh Bhai, elephants are there, please see!” After seeing the elephants, the person became blank and switched off his bike. Suddenly, the elephants started chasing us. I told my friend to sit on the bike quickly, but he was too scared to respond. When I turned back, I saw my friends running towards the forest to escape. I managed to turn on the bike, take a U-turn, pick up my friends, and move fast. After a couple of hours, the elephants crossed the road, and we continued our journey. Oh my God!
2. Surviving the Cold in Tawang
While we were about to reach Tawang (altitude 13,500 ft) on December 31st, we encountered heavy winds and -10°C temperatures. The opposite wind made it impossible to drive, and we couldn’t find a place to stay. Finally, we reached the top point and saw a temple, where we decided to take shelter. My friend’s body started shivering due to altitude pressure, but we somehow managed to reach the temple. Suddenly, a military person saw us and asked, “Who are you? Why are you staying in the temple?” We explained our situation, and he took us to the military camp.
Once we refreshed, my friend needed to go outside. We waited for 15 to 20 minutes, but he didn’t return, and we thought something was wrong. The military person and I went out and saw an animal running away. My friend then came from the restroom and told us the story. While he was outside, a fox appeared. He tried calling us, but there was no signal, so he hid in the restroom until the fox left. The fox didn’t leave for a long time, possibly because it was looking for food. Eventually, we took him back to the tent. It was a thrilling and fun experience.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Living the Billionaire Life: An Extraordinary Journey
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to live on this beautiful Earth as a human with the gift of a sixth sense, under the umbrella of the Orion Galaxy. Life has offered me the greatest gift of all—eyes to witness pristine scenic places, the ability to enjoy the natural aroma, taste a variety of foods, engage in positive chitchat with people, hear beautiful songs, hold a baby in my arms, drive a bike, and hike with my legs. This, to me, is the true essence of a billionaire life, and I am living it to the fullest.
A Humble Beginning
I came from a very lower-middle-class family, and education was the key to shaping my life. My heartfelt thanks go to my dad and mom for supporting my studies and teaching me about life. Since my school days, I have dreamt of exploring the world. Alongside my love for science and mathematics, I pursued my dreams with full interest and passion.
I did my schooling in Chennai at St. Joseph’s Matriculation School. The fees were quite high compared to government schools, but my father ensured that all three siblings (me, my younger brother, and my elder sister) received a good education. During that time, owning a men’s cycle was a distant dream for me. We had one Ladybird girl cycle, which all three of us had to share.
Overcoming Financial Challenges
After finishing my 10th standard, my parents found it challenging to manage school fees. They planned to shift me to a government school. My mom came to my school, got the transfer certificate, and we went to the government school to enroll. However, a week before the new school year began, my father visited the government school and told them, “My son is not joining here. I am planning to keep him in matriculation itself. Please give me all the original documents.” At that moment, my dad became my hero.
I rejoined my old school for 11th and 12th standards. Most of my school friends rode motorcycles, while their fathers sat at the back. I would watch them from afar as I walked to school. In the mornings, I would walk to school early, leaving the cycle for my younger brother. In the evenings, I would pick up my brother and ride back home.
A Piece of Cake
During my 11th standard, my school friends had a tradition of cutting a birthday cake for the birthday boy, and it was the first time I witnessed this ritual. One day, it was my close friend’s birthday, and we all gathered for the cake-cutting ceremony. During the cake distribution, I noticed that they never gave me a piece of cake. A few days later, we were watching the birthday function video, and there I was, standing next to the birthday boy as he shared cake with all my friends. Every time he took a piece of cake, I watched with emotional anticipation, literally opening my mouth, hoping for a taste. I repeated this gesture over and over, but until the end, he never gave me a piece. Everyone watching the video laughed, saying, “See what Rakesh is doing in the back.”
I realized that I wasn’t craving the cake itself. At that moment, I was longing for the love and care that my friend was sharing. That incident taught me the value of money and how people sometimes overlook the value of love, perhaps because we were too young to understand it. God had a different lesson for me that day. I cried my heart out in the bathroom that night, and even as I type this for my interview, my eyes fill with tears.
School was tough for me because I didn’t have money to go to the canteen, so I often avoided being with my friends. My favorite place in school was the cycle stand where I kept my bicycle. I used to sit there alone and only go back to class when the bell rang.
During the school holidays, without my parents’ knowledge, I worked various jobs—carpentry, candle making, catering service, and as a welding helper. After working, I would receive some money, which I used to go to the playground and play with my friends. After playing, I bought snacks for all my neighborhood friends. Watching the happiness on their faces was my reward, as they also didn’t have pocket money.
I used to avoid going on school tours and never mentioned them to my parents. They were already paying for my school fees, and I loved them very much for how they took care of us. If I had told them about the tours, they would have somehow arranged the money, and I didn’t want to burden them. I kept reminding myself that studying well was the only way to achieve the life I wanted to live. My aim was to get placed in a good company and provide my parents with a better life, and then explore the places I missed seeing during my school years or travel to adventurous places that no one in my friends’ circle had been to before.
Now, I can say that I have explored many places, am living my dream life, and am taking good care of my family, all thanks to my father’s guidance and support for my education. This experience taught me how to treat everyone equally and value true friendship.
Chasing the Dream
My dream was to buy a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle, and it had to be my first bike. Until I finished school and college, I didn’t know how to ride a bike. My friends used to tease me about it. Once I joined my office, I finally bought the Royal Enfield Bullet and named it Ricky. Thus, “Rocky (me) & Ricky (bike)” Films was born. I learned to ride with Ricky and started my adventures. Now, I am known as a rider and adventure traveler among my friends and family.
The Journey Begins
I got selected by a reputable engineering company, marking the start of my travel journey. My income became a primary source for repaying my engineering studies loan and providing my family with a lifestyle they had never experienced before. My dreams and passion for exploring new places fueled my travel adventures.
Unexpected Career Advice
One day, my travel documentary was published in my organization. My global head called me and told me to resign. Shocked, I asked why. He replied, “This is not your life. I want to see you as a travel journalist or wildlife photographer.” I told him, “Sir, I am balancing both my profession and passion. I know it is difficult to maintain, but I am enjoying both and do not want to leave my professional life.”
Living the Dream
Currently, I am in the USA, living my dream life.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Discipline & Fitness, Patience & Deep Understanding about the place of Journey.
1. Discipline & Fitness
Before embarking on any journey, it’s crucial to assess our capabilities and fitness levels. Every destination comes with its own set of challenges—low, medium, or high. I ensure my fitness is up to par before setting off on any adventure. Daily, I dedicate one to two hours to walking or weightlifting. Recently, we were blessed with a baby girl, and for nearly a year, we paused our travels due to the pregnancy and the mother’s health. Up until my wife’s delivery, we maintained our routine of daily walking and yoga.
When our baby turned two months old, we decided to embark on a road trip. To prepare her for the journey, I began training her fitness two weeks prior—at just one and a half months old. We established a daily routine of sun exposure, morning walks, cold walks, and introducing her to different sounds. By the end of the two weeks, she was well-adjusted.
In November, we embarked on a 4,200-mile road trip from Houston through New Mexico, Colorado, Salt Flat, Utah, Monument Valley, Death Valley, Las Vegas, El Paso, and back to Houston. With our two-month-old baby in tow, we encountered extreme weather—cold, snow, dunes, red mountains, salt flats, and high mountain range hikes. The trip was a great learning experience, teaching us how to train for both our fitness and our baby’s.
2. Patience
Patience is one of the greatest skills to develop during travel. Unexpected challenges are inevitable, and it’s important not to panic. Addressing problems with a calm mind rather than an emotional heart is key. Expect the unexpected. Let me share an incident where patience was vital.
While trekking in Dzukou Valley, we lost our way. For six hours, we wandered through the dense, wet forest, searching for a route while our water supply dwindled. Desperately needing water, we found a waterfall as darkness fell around 7 PM. It was pitch black, and navigating the path was nearly impossible. Eventually, with the help of an offline map, we reached the base. There was no transportation available to get us back to our hotel where we left our bike. Just then, a truck passed by, and we managed to get a lift, safely reaching our room.
3. Deep Understanding of the Journey’s Purpose
Having a clear purpose for travel enhances the experience—whether it’s to see natural wonders, understand different cultures, meet new people, savor local foods, or visit pilgrimage sites. This clarity helps in planning and exploring specific areas. I recommend reading books, magazines, or documentaries about the destination beforehand. Avoid using mobile phones or social media during the trip as they can spoil the experience. I always carry a diary and a DSLR camera to take notes and capture the best moments.
Spending time with local people enriches my understanding of their culture and lifestyle. Photography has the power to pause a moment in time, and I love doing it. Once a trip is complete, I share the best photos on my Instagram page @Onelife_rocky to inspire others and showcase the beauty of our Earth through my lens.
If planning a hike or mountain drive, always ensure you have offline maps and emergency contact details, as sometimes you may find yourself isolated from city life to explore pristine places. For high altitude travels, preparation is key to a safe and enjoyable experience.
Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling
In today’s world, many people travel more for societal approval and social media likes, rather than for their own inner satisfaction. Here are some common travel mistakes and tips to avoid them:
Prioritize Experiences Over Accommodations: Spend less on expensive rooms and hotels. Instead, extend your stay at your travel destination and immerse yourself more in the local culture and attractions.
Do Your Research: Before heading to a destination, read up on the place and discover its hidden gems. The best advisors are often the locals, not just Google Maps.
Try Local Cuisine: Experience the local food instead of sticking to what you usually eat at home. Savor the unique flavors and dishes that each destination has to offer.
Engage with Locals: Chat and gossip with the locals. Spend your evenings around a campfire, sharing stories and making memories. This will enrich your travel experience and give you insights into the local way of life.
Reflect and Relax: During your travel, take time to reflect on your memories. This can help relax your tired body and mind, making the journey more enjoyable.
Choose Destinations You Truly Like: Select places that genuinely interest you and align with your preferences.
Limit Phone Usage: Avoid being glued to your phone while traveling. Focus on the present moment and fully enjoy the experiences around you.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The Birth of Life: A Tribute to Amma and Appa
Amma (Mother)
I like to save my mother’s mobile number as “Angel” because that’s exactly what she is to me. My amma taught me the essence of love, the importance of self-care, the value of sharing, and how to find happiness with what you have. She showed me the true meaning of friendship and family relationships.
Amma always ensured that I was happy, spending a lot of time with me and growing our bond. As I grew older, she became my friend. She adored my travel stories, eagerly waiting for my photo collections whenever I returned from a trip. She had a deep love for travel and cherished our family moments.
There is one special story between us that I hold dear. During my school and college years, I would often ask Amma about her dreams and the places she wished to visit. She was always shy and rarely shared her dreams, but I persisted with my questions year after year. Finally, when I was in 11th or 12th grade, she revealed that her dream was to see the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I held that dream in my heart, promising myself that one day, I would take her there.
On my parents’ wedding anniversary, I booked flight tickets to New Delhi for Amma, Appa, and myself. I didn’t tell them until the day before the trip. I secretly asked my siblings to pack their clothes, and in the afternoon, I revealed our surprise trip. It was Amma’s first flight journey. I had booked a room at the Radisson with a view of the Taj Mahal, so she could see it 24/7. The next morning, during sunrise, I took Amma and Appa to the Taj Mahal, slowing down to watch their reactions and emotions as they took in its beauty. It was a beautiful gift from God to witness that pristine moment in my life.
Appa (Father)
I save my father’s mobile number as “God Father” because he is my role model.
During my school years, I saw Appa as a villain because he often gave me advice and disciplined me strictly. As an adult, I came to understand his actions and saw him as my hero, my God Father. His discipline and guidance shaped me into the person I am today, writing an interview for a journal.
One beautiful story about my God Father stands out. He worked in a small company where he was treated unfairly and paid poorly. By the time I was in 11th grade, I understood the struggles he faced. One day, his company voluntarily asked him to resign. I suggested he start his own company, offering to help with documentation work while managing my studies. He took the leap, and his company began to grow.
Appa’s dream was to buy a car and go on an international travel tour. After four or five years, our family started to thrive. One day, Appa told us we were going to buy a car. He asked me and my siblings to choose the model, and we all went for the car delivery. I told Appa that I wouldn’t come for the delivery but instead asked him to bring the car to my office and meet me at the entrance.
I still remember the moment my God Father arrived, sitting in the back seat with a driver. He called me down, and when I saw him, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. A couple of months later, he went on his dream trip to Europe, achieving both his dreams.
Amma taught me how to love, and Appa taught me how to live.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/onelife_rocky/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/RockyandRicky
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakesh-kumar-natarajan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rakeshnataraj/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RakeshKumarNatarajan
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