In this episode of the Second Innings podcast, hosts Atul & Suman talk to Anil Nair to explore his journey from a successful career in advertising to founding Goodwind Moto Tours, a premium motorcycle touring company. Anil shares his early influences, the challenges he faced in his career, and the importance of self-awareness and purpose in making significant life transitions. He emphasizes the need to embrace the unknown and the value of personal growth through experiences, ultimately leading to his passion for motorcycling and helping others.Anil Sadasivan Nair is the co-founder of Goodwind Moto Tours, a premium motorcycle touring company from India. GMT is the pioneer in premium motorcycle tours taking Indian riders to exotic routes in Europe, Africa and Asia. He also serves as the co-founder and executive director of Hyper-ready Technologies, an AI technology firm. Apart from these two he holds board positions in various companies, including Kalyan Jewelers and Candere.With 27 years of experience in advertising, Anil's last role in advertising was CEO and managing partner at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, a leading global advertising agency from where he retired in 2020. He was also a member of the global leadership board for Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide.In addition to his professional achievements, Anil authored "License to Fall," which shares insights from motorcycling about living life on one's own terms. The book is available on Amazon and in select bookstores. Anil is married to Arati Nair, an avid trekker who teaches social skills and English to children from less privileged backgrounds for the NGO Angel Express in Mumbai. He is a father to a young lady pursuing her master's degree in digital marketing and social media at the University of Dublin, Ireland.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Second Innings Podcast

00:02:12 Anil Nair's Early Life and Background

00:03:14 Transition to Mumbai and Early Career

00:04:10 Passion for Cricket and Its Impact

00:05:10 Injury and Career Shift

00:05:30 Discovering Advertising and Marketing

00:06:31 Family Influence and Motorcycling Passion

00:07:44 The Journey to Mumbai and Dreams of Motorcycles

00:15:49 The Challenge of Acquiring a Bike

00:18:06 Balancing Passion and Career in Advertising

00:20:07 The Near-Fatal Crash and Its Impact

00:21:48 The Decision to Buy Another Bike

00:23:22 Transitioning from Bikes to Cars

00:24:19 The Influence of Advertising on Passion

00:26:24 The Birth of an Agency

00:28:18 Navigating Success and Challenges in Advertising

00:30:49 The Desire for Independence

00:33:22 The Journey to Founding a New Agency

00:36:32 The Leap of Faith: Starting A New Agency

00:38:40 Navigating Risks and Rewards in Entrepreneurship

00:41:46 Financial Preparedness: The Reality of Starting Up

00:46:43 Building a Legacy: From Agency to Impact

00:48:27 Passion Meets Purpose: The Birth of Goodwind Riding

00:55:10 Self-Justification and Truth

00:58:47 The Race of Life: Running Your Own Race

00:58:57 The Journey of Writing a Book

01:01:51 Lessons from Motorcycling: Metaphors for Life

01:08:38 Reflections on the Journey: What Would You Change?

01:08:57 Advice for Transitioning: Start with Why