Mic and Magic with Manan

Manan Periwal
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Welcome to Mic & Magic, where your host, 14-year-old Manan, sits down for insightful interviews with successful entrepreneurs, trailblazing athletes, and inspiring leaders. We go beyond the highlight reel to map out their entire career journey and the life path that led them to greatness. This isn't just another motivational podcast; it's your playbook for the future. Each conversation is packed with practical advice, actionable tips, and powerful lessons you can apply to your own life. Whether you're looking to build a career in a diverse field, improve your well-being through sports

  1. Sep 20

    They Said She Wasn’t Fit for India. She Became MVP | Taarushee Tarun | Mic & Magic Ep 29

    They told her she wasn’t fit for the Indian team. At 16, Taarushee Tarun became MVP of India’s Youth National Basketball Championship and played for India at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026.  In this episode of Mic & Magic with Manan, Taarushee opens up about overthinking, India’s 99–17 win over Oman, thesemi-final loss to Kazakhstan, meeting NBA stars at Basketball Without Borders Asia, the Thai player who “cooked” her, her lucky braid ritual, and her biggest dream: to dunk. WHY YOU MUST WATCH THIS • Hear how Taarushee handled being told she wasn’t fit for the Indian team. • Get inside the mindset of a 16-year-old playing basketball at the international level. • Hear about her 25-point performance against Oman and the lessons from India’s loss to Kazakhstan. • Discover what she learned at Basketball Without Borders Asia alongside top young players and NBA coaches. • Hear her honest take on overthinking, pressure, self-doubt and proving people wrong. • And find out why her biggest dream is to become the first Indian woman to dunk in a game.  About the Athlete  Taarushee Tarun is an Indian basketball player from Bengaluru who has represented India at the international level. A standout young talent, she was named MVP at India’s Youth National Basketball Championship and competed for India at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026. Known for her rebounding, scoring and competitive mindset, Taarushee is one of the young players making her mark in Indian women’s basketball. 3 ACHIEVEMENTS  MVP at India’s Youth National Basketball Championship  Represented India at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026  Scored 25 points in 14 minutes against Oman    ABOUT THE HOST Manan is a teenage podcaster whose questions land somewhere between a sports journalist and a mischievous younger brother — and who somehow gets India's athletes to say the things nobody else asks them for.   ABOUT MIC & MAGIC  Mic & Magic with Manan is where India's champions, underdogs and record-breakers sit down for the conversation their press releases never allowed. New episodes every fortnight. Subscribe so you meet the next one before the rest of the country does.    About This Episode Episode 29 of Mic & Magic with Manan features Indian basketball player Taarushee Tarun. She talks about representing India, becoming a National MVP, dealing with self-doubt and over thinking, her biggest on-court challenges, and her dream of dunking.  3 FUN FACTS  Has a specific pre-game braid ritual she believes helps her play better Her favorite color is pink, but she wants to buy pink jewellery despite hating pink jewellery Her biggest basketball dream is to dunk in a real game  LIFE LESSON  Don’t let someone else’s doubt decide what you’re capable of. Keep working, stay patient, and let your performance speak for itself. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  Indian National Basketball TeamFIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026Basketball Without Borders Asia India’s Youth National Basketball Championship KazakhstanOman Thailand Stephen Curry Jalen Brunson Dominic Malonga “Monica — the team’s celebration song #TaarusheeTarun #IndianBasketball#WomensBasketball #IndiaU18 #FIBAU18 #FIBAU18AsiaCup #IndianBasketballPlayer #BasketballIndia#YouthBasketball #BasketballWithoutBorders #KarnatakaBasketball #WomenInSports#MicAndMagic #Manan #BasketballPodcast #IndianSports #TeenAthlete#TaarusheeTarunMVP

    They Said She Wasn’t Fit for India. She Became MVP | Taarushee Tarun | Mic & Magic Ep 29

  2. Sep 6

    Never Bowled a Leather Ball Till 16, Now Karnataka’s Purple Cap Pacer | Abhilash Shetty

    He didn’t touch a leather ball until he was 16. At 27, Abhilash Shetty became the Best Bowler of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 — and a champion left-arm seamer for Karnataka. WHY YOU MUST WATCH This is what the road to Indian cricket looks like when there is no academy, no floodlights and no famous surname — just a wet ground in Mangaluru, a sports quota admission at 16, and a boy who refused to let “no facilities” become his excuse. If you have ever been dropped, injured, overlooked or told you started too late, this one’s for you. ABOUT ABHILASH SHETTY Abhilash Shetty is a left-arm pacer from Mangaluru who came up through tennis-ball cricket and got his first real coaching at 16 through the sports quota at Alva’s College, Moodbidri. A stress fracture kept him out for eight months, but he returned to earn his Ranji Trophy debut and bowl in some of Karnataka’s biggest games. He bowls at 140+, bats at No. 11, and is one of Karnataka cricket’s exciting fast-bowling prospects. CHAPTERS 01:15 – From Tennis Ball Cricket to Leather Ball at 16 01:48 – What Small-Town Cricketers Have That City Kids Don’t 02:52 – The One Thing Abhilash Shetty Is Useless At 03:06 – Ranji Batter vs Gully Cricket Uncle 03:47 – Where Is the Purple Cap Now? 04:40 – Why His Batting Average Is Only 5 05:17 – The Stress Fracture That Kept Him Out for 8 Months 06:35 – Staying Calm Under Pressure 07:18 – When Cricket Stopped Being Fun 08:27 – Abhilash’s Cricket Memories: 2014–2026 08:46 – His Goal for 2030: Playing for India 08:59 – Complete the Sentence: Abhilash Unfiltered CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 🏆 Purple Cap winner — Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 with Shivamogga Yodhas. 🏆 Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25 champion with Karnataka. Took 3/58 in the final against Vidarbha. 🏆 Overcame an eight-month stress fracture layoff to earn his Ranji Trophy debut. ABOUT THE HOST Manan is a teenage podcaster whose questions land somewhere between a sports journalist and a mischievous younger brother — and gets India’s athletes talking about things nobody else asks them. ABOUT MIC & MAGIC Mic & Magic with Manan is where India’s champions, underdogs and record-breakers sit down for conversations their press releases never allowed. New episodes every fortnight. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Manan talks to Abhilash Shetty about his journey from tennis-ball cricket to Karnataka, handling pressure, overcoming injury and his dream of playing for India. FUN FACTS * Google his name and a Kannada film director shows up instead. * His Purple Cap is at home in Mangaluru — his mother calls it “just another cap.” * Batting average: 5. His explanation? “Non-striker jaldi out ho raha tha.” LIFE LESSON Stop auditing what you don’t have. “Jo bhi facilities aapko available hai usme aap kya kar sakte hai, uske upar zyada focus karo — reasons dhoondna kam karo.” Wet ground, no lights, no academy — the question isn’t what’s missing. It’s what’s still possible today. MENTIONED Karnataka | KSCA | Ranji Trophy | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Maharaja Trophy | Shivamogga Yodhas | Gulbarga Mystics | Mangaluru Dragons | Hubli Tigers | Mysore Warriors | Bengaluru Blasters | Baroda | Vidarbha | Mangaluru | Moodbidri | Alva’s College | Mayank Agarwal | Devdutt Padikkal | Virat Kohli | tennis-ball cricket | gully cricket | sports quota | Purple Cap | stress fracture | DRS | impact player rule #AbhilashShetty #MicAndMagic #KarnatakaCricket #MaharajaTrophy #KSCA #RanjiTrophy #VijayHazareTrophy #ShivamoggaYodhas #IndianCricket #DomesticCricket #FastBowler #LeftArmPacer #PurpleCap #Mangaluru #CricketPodcast #CricketInterview #SportsPodcast

    Never Bowled a Leather Ball Till 16, Now Karnataka’s Purple Cap Pacer | Abhilash Shetty

  3. Aug 23

    India's Table Tennis Star Answers a 15-Year-Old's Toughest Questions |G. Sathiyan

    Indian table tennis star Sathiyan Gnanasekaran discussesbalancing academics, professional sport, and elite-level competition. He opens up about scoring 96% in Class 10 while playing Nationals, 6–7 hours daily training, defeating Sharath Kamal, and lessons from coach Raman. Sathiyan speaks candidly about losing his father days before winning Commonwealth Championship gold, recovering from career-threatening injury, handling online criticism, playing in the German Bundesliga, and managing success-drivenpressure. He also addresses India's Olympic table tennis prospects, predicting LA 2028 could deliver India's first Olympic TT medal.    WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH  If you've ever wondered: • Can you excel in academics and professional sport? • How do elite athletes handle pressure? • What makes China so dominant in table tennis? • What does the German Bundesliga teach an Indian player? • How difficult is it to return from an injury? • When could India win its first Olympic table tennis medal? • Can young athletes balance studies and sport? ABOUT SATHIYAN GNANASEKARAN   • Indian international table tennis player • Career-best ITTF World No.24 • Commonwealth Games gold medallist • Asian Games medallist • 2016 Belgium Open champion • Arjuna Award recipient • Former German Bundesliga player WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • How Sathiyan balanced academics and table tennis • How he scored 96% in Class 10 while playing Nationals • His mindset while facing Sharath Kamal • What coach Raman taught him • How he dealt with the loss of his father • The mental battle of injury rehabilitation • Why pressure can be a privilege • What China does differently in table tennis • How the Bundesliga helped him handle pressure • What he learned from Timo Boll • Why fitness is essential in table tennis • Sathiyan's prediction for India's first Olympic TT medal • His advice to young athletes choosing between academics and sport  People Mentioned: Sharath Kamal —Indian Table Tennis Player & 10-time National Champion (@sharathkamal) Subramaniam Raman — Sathiyan’s Table Tennis Coach (@raman_subramanian) Ma Long — Chinese Table Tennis Player & Olympic/World Champion (@malong1020) Timo Boll — German Table Tennis Player & Former World No. 1 (@timoboll) Wang Chuqin — Chinese Table Tennis Player & World No. 1 @wangchuqin_official Mary Kom — Indian Boxer & Olympic Medallist (@mcmary.kom) M.S. Dhoni — Former Indian Cricketer & Captain @mahi7781 Divyanshi Bhowmick —Young Indian Table Tennis Player (@divyanshibhowmick) Arun — Sathiyan Gnanasekaran’s son Tournaments/ Leagues / Events Mentioned Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Commonwealth Games Commonwealth Championship Asian Games ITTF / WTT EventsWorld Cup World Championships German Bundesliga Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) German Cup Follow Sathiyan Gnanasekaran Instagram:   @sathiyanttYoutube : @sathiyangnanasekaran6976 X: (@sathiyantt)SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next conversation: / @micandmagicpodcastFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/mic.and.magicListen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1kbEtEA5YS6sES1shYvBJLListen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/mic-and-magic-with-manan/id1835196806Twitter/X: x.com/micandmagicWrite to us — Email: micandmagic@gmail.com   #SathiyanGnanasekaran #TableTennis #IndianTableTennis #MicAndMagic #Manan #TableTennisIndia #IndianSports #OlympicTableTennis #CommonwealthGames #ITTF#WorldTableTennis #TimoBoll #SharathKamal #SportsPodcast #IndianAthletes

    India's Table Tennis Star Answers a 15-Year-Old's Toughest Questions |G. Sathiyan

  4. Aug 9

    Everything You Know About Fitness Is Wrong | Former BCCI Sprint Coach Explains

    Most of us grow up believing fitness myths that simply aren't true.Does lifting weights stunt your growth? Should children take protein powder? Is expensive gym gear really necessary? Can strength training improve your mental health? And why do so many people feel anxious walking into a gym for the first time?In this episode of Mic & Magic, host Manan sits down with Ahireta Mukherjee — BCCI Sprint Coach, Cricket Performance Specialist, ACE Certified Trainer, and founder of MoveMental — to separate science from social media.Drawing from her experience training professional cricketers, Ahireta explains how athletes actually train, why movement matters more than motivation, and how fitness transforms not just your body, but your mindset.Whether you're a student, parent, athlete, beginner, or simply trying to become healthier, this conversation is packed with practical advice backed by sports science.WHY YOU SHOULD WATCHIf you've ever wondered...Does weightlifting stop height growth?Is protein powder safe?Why am I scared to enter a gym?Is 20 minutes of exercise enough?Can strength training improve confidence and reduce anxiety?What's the biggest fitness myth people still believe? ...this episode answers all of them. ABOUT AHIRETA MUKHERJEEFormer BCCI Sprint Coach Cricket Performance SpecialistACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified TrainerFounder of MoveMental Strength & Conditioning CoachWHAT YOU'LL LEARN· Truth about weightlifting and height growth· Protein powder vs whole foods· Why gym anxiety is completely normal· Fitness myths that need to disappear· How cricketers train agility and speed· The importance of recovery and sleep· Whether expensive gym gear matters· Why movement starts with the mind· Strength training for stress, anxiety and confidence· How to build sustainable fitness habitsKEY TAKEAWAYS· Weightlifting does not stunt growth.· Whole food should always be your first source of nutrition.· Protein powder is a supplement—not a meal replacement.· Consistency beats intensity.· Strength training improves physical and mental health.· Everyone feels nervous on their first day at the gym.· Recovery is just as important as training. People MentionedBCCI (@bcci.indian.cricket)American Council on Exercise (ACE) (@acefitness)Follow Ahireta Mukherjee (@ahireeta_move.mental)SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next conversation: @micandmagicpodcastFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/mic.and.magicListen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1kbEtEA5YS6sES1shYvBJLListen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/mic-and-magic-with-manan/id1835196806Twitter/X: x.com/micandmagicWrite to us — Email: micandmagic@gmail.com#MicAndMagic #AhiretaMukherjee #FormerBCCICoach #FitnessPodcast#StrengthTraining#Weightlifting#FitnessMyths#GymAnxiety#ProteinPowder#CricketFitness#SportsScience#HealthyLifestyle#AthleteMindset #WorkoutTips #Manan

    Everything You Know About Fitness Is Wrong | Former BCCI Sprint Coach Explains

  5. Jul 26

    10-Year-Old World Chess Champion A.S. Sharvaanica on Magnus, Gukesh & Grandmasters

    At just 10 years old, A.S. Sharvaanica has already become one of India's brightest young chess talents. A World Championand National Champion, she has defeated Grandmasters online, won the Nationals with a perfect 11/11 score, and dreams of one day defeating Magnus Carlsen. In this episode of Mic & Magic,Sharvaanica shares how she bounced back after losing her first World Championship game, why she never uses chess engines, her pre-match routine,lessons from her coach, thoughts on Gukesh, blindfold chess, and the mindset that drives her success. Hosted by Manan, Mic & Magic brings inspiring conversations with India's most promising athletes and changemakers.  If you enjoy chess, sports, inspiring stories, or conversations with extraordinary young achievers, this episode is for you. WHY YOU HAVE TO WATCH Whether you're a chess enthusiast, student, parent, orsports fan, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a young World Champion. From beating Grandmasters online to aiming for Magnus Carlsen, Sharvaanica's journey is a masterclass in discipline, confidence, and resilience. WHAT SHE'S ACHIEVED  • FIDE Under-12 Girls' World Rapid Champion • Women Candidate Master (WCM) • National Champion with a perfect 11/11 score • Won 9 consecutive games after losing her opening World Championship match • Represented India at International Championships • Defeated Grandmasters in online chess  TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CONVERSATION  • Preparation builds confidence. • Discipline is more important than talent. • Learn to think independently not just rely on technology. • Every setback can become a comeback. • Dream big, stay humble, and keep improving.  In this episode:  • Winning the National Championship with a perfect 11/11 • Becoming a World Chess Champion • Beating Grandmasters online • Why she never uses chess engines • Learning from former coach Vishnu Prasanna • Thoughts on Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh • Blindfold chess challenge • Rapid-fire questions People Mentioned Magnus Carlsen :  @magnus_carlsen) Gukesh Dommaraju: @gukesh.official) Vishnu Prasanna V : @chessgmvishnu) Vladimir Kramnik: @vladimirkramnik) Garry Kasparov: @garry_kasparov)Sharvaanica's Father: P. Saravanan (mentioned multiple times) Sharvaanica's Mother : P. Anburoja Sharvaanica's Sister: A. S. Ratchikaa(who taught her chess during lockdown)   SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next conversation: /@micandmagicpodcastFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/mic.and.magicListen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1kbEtEA5YS6sES1shYvBJLListen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/mic-and-magic-with-manan/id1835196806Twitter/X: x.com/micandmagicWrite to us — Email: micandmagic@gmail.com Hashtags:#ASSharvaanica #Sharvaanica #Chess#WorldChessChampion #IndianChess #ChessChampion #ChessProdigy #MagnusCarlsen #Gukesh #Grandmaster #BlindfoldChess #WomenCandidateMaster #FIDE #ChessPodcast #MicAndMagic #Manan #YoungChampion #SportsPodcast #India #ChessLife #Chennai #Tamilnadu

    10-Year-Old World Chess Champion A.S. Sharvaanica on Magnus, Gukesh & Grandmasters

  6. Jul 12

    He Toured With Team India & Never Got The Cap — Ranadeb Bose Opens Up | Mic & Magic

    Ranadeb Bose bowled 10,708 deliveries in first-class cricket without a single no-ball — believed to be a world record — and never got his Test cap. In this episode, the man who spotted Mustafizur Rahman and backed Mukesh Kumar at Sourav Ganguly's Vision 2020 trials tells Manan what selectors really look for, why "how to bowl fast" is the wrong question, and what it cost to be one of India's best bowlers never to play a Test.The host: Hosted by Manan (15), who sits down with India's sporting stars to find the real story behind the scoreline.The channel: Mic & Magic is a youth-led sports podcast spotlighting the athletes carrying Indian sport forward. Ranadeb opens up about the 2007 India tour and the Test cap that never came ("I didn't even get a chance to fail"), the discipline behind 10,708 no-ball-free deliveries, discovering Mustafizur Rahman in Dhaka, the open trial where he backed Mukesh Kumar, and the honest advice he gives every cricketparent whose kid only wants to bowl fast.Why you have to watch:Whether or not you play cricket, the way he talks about working on your strengths instead of chasing someone else's gift — and carrying a heartbreak with grace — is a mindset lesson for life. Indian domestic cricket is full of storieslike this, and they deserve to be told. What he's achieved: 317 first-class wickets for Bengal across a 15-year Ranji Trophy career (1998–2013).10,708 consecutive deliveries without a no-ball — believed to be a world record in first-class cricket.Toured England with Team India in 2007, taking a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Leicester.As a scout and coach: part of the group that first identified Mustafizur Rahman at the Dhaka academy, and the coach who backed Mukesh Kumar — now a Test cricketer — at Bengal's Vision 2020 open trials. Takeaways from this conversation:You cannot coach a fast bowler — pace is born, skill is built. Find what YOU have and master that. He dropped his pace and took 57 wickets in a season. Nets are an extension of the match. Aim to improve 5–10% every session — 25 focused minutes beat 2 wasted hours.Discipline compounds into reputation. He never bowled a no-ball even in practice — until umpires stopped checking his feet.A setback without closure still deserves peace. "The wound has healed a lot. But it still aches." Cricketers mentioned:Ranadeb Bose - @ranadebboseMustafizur Rahman - @mustafizur_90 Mukesh Kumar - @mukeshkumar3924) Sourav Ganguly - @souravganguly Virender Sehwag - @virendersehwag) Sachin Tendulkar -@sachintendulkar   Rahul Dravid - @rahuldravidofficial Gautam Gambhir - @gautamgambhir55 Wasim Jaffer - @wasimjaffer14 Mohammed Siraj - @mohammedsirajofficial Jasprit Bumrah @jaspritb1  Mohammed Shami - @mdshami.11SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next conversation: / @micandmagicpodcastFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/mic.and.magicListen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1kbEtEA5YS6sES1shYvBJLListen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/mic-and-magic-with-manan/id1835196806Twitter/X: x.com/micandmagicWrite to us — Email: micandmagic@gmail.comHashtags:#RanadebBose #IndianCricket #FastBowling #MicAndMagic #RanjiTrophy #BengalCricket #MustafizurRahman #MukeshKumar #CricketPodcast #TestCricket#HowToBowlFast #CricketCoaching #YoungAthletes #SportsPodcast #Kolkata

    He Toured With Team India & Never Got The Cap — Ranadeb Bose Opens Up | Mic & Magic

  7. Jun 28

    India's Next Sania Mirza? Vaishnavi Adkar on the ACL, the Comeback & the Cost of Tennis

    She was 6-0, 5-3 up — two points from her first ITF junior title — when she fell and snapped her ACL. Eight months later, she became India's No. 1. This is Vaishnavi Adkar's story. The guest: Vaishnavi Adkar is India's No. 1 women's singles tennis player, who climbed from outside the world's top 600into the WTA top 400 in a single breakthrough year. The host: Hosted by Manan (15), who sits down with India's sporting stars to find the real story behind the scoreline. The channel: Mic & Magic is a youth-led sports podcast spotlighting the athletes carrying Indian sport forward. What this is about: Vaishnavi opens up about the injury that nearly ended her season, the comeback that made her India No.1, the move that changed everything, and what it really takes to chase a tennis dream in India. Why you have to watch: Whether or not you play a sport, the way she talks about losing, setbacks and staying grounded isthe kind of mindset that stays with you for life. India has a deep bench of young stars worth being proud of — and stories like Vaishnavi's are exactly why the next generation should believe it's possible.  What she's achieved: India's No. 1 women's singles player as of April 2026 — climbing from outside the top 600 into the Top 400 in roughly a year. Big News NetworkIndiasportshub Reached the final of the ITF W100 event in Bengaluru — the best singles performance by an Indian woman in 17 years. Big News Network First Indian woman to win a tennis medal at the World University Games (bronze, 2025), and a Billie Jean King Cup debutant for India. WikipediamyKhel   Takeaways from this conversation: A setback can be a setup — she treated her injury layoff as time to fix the gaps she couldn't while competing. "A blessing in disguise." A loss teaches more than a win. Take a day to feel it, then get back to work the next morning. No one rises alone — coach, physio, family and the right academy turned promise into results. Vaishnavi Adkar — IG @vaishnavi__adkar Sania Mirza — IG @mirzasaniar | X @MirzaSania Ankita Raina — IG@ankitaraina_official | X   @ankita_champ)   Donna Vekić — IG @donnavekic Novak Djokovic — IG @djokernole Serena Williams — IG @serenawilliams Rafael Nadal — IG @rafaelnadal Roger Federer — IG @rogerfederer Motilal OSwal — IG @motilaloswalgroup     SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next conversation:    / @micandmagicpodcast  Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/mic.and.magic Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1kbEtEA5YS6sES1shYvBJL Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/mic-and-magic-with-manan/id1835196806 Twitter/X x.com/micandmagic Write to us - Email: micandmagic@gmail.com   #VaishnaviAdkar #IndianTennis #Tennis#MicAndMagic #WomensTennis #SaniaMirza #WTA #ITF #IndianSports #TennisIndia#SportsPodcast #Comeback #YoungAthletes #Bengaluru #Inspiration

    India's Next Sania Mirza? Vaishnavi Adkar on the ACL, the Comeback & the Cost of Tennis

  8. Jun 14

    "I MANIFESTED Beating a World Champion" — Kiran George Gets Brutally Honest | Mic & Magic with Manan

    He was 14-20 down. Six match points against him. What happened next is why you need to watch this episode till the end. India's badminton smash machine Kiran George (BWF Top 50, Thomas Cup medallist) sits down with 15-year-old host Manan for his most unfiltered conversation yet — pressure, pain,comebacks, and the one David Goggins idea he uses on court every single day. About the host: Manan is a Grade 10 student who interviews India's top athletes with the kind of questions adults are too polite to ask. About the guest: Kiran George comes from badminton royalty — his father is an Arjuna Awardee,his mother played at state level — and heleft home at 14 to train at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy alongside Lakshya Sen. Why watch this? Because Kiran reveals exactly how he stayed calm at 14-20 down against Alex Lanier at India Open 2025, what was going through his head facing World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi at match point, and why he walked into the Swiss Open certain he'd beat former World Champion Loh Kean Yew — after losing to him twice. A rising Indian badminton star breaks down the mindset, sacrifices, and rituals behind competing with the world's best — told to a teenager who asks what fans actually want to know. Kiran's achievements covered in this episode: Historic Thomas Cup medal with Team India Beating former World Champion Loh Kean Yew in straight games (Swiss Open) The legendary 14-20 comeback vs Alex Lanier (India Open 2025) Facing World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi (Thailand Open 2023) 3 lessons you'll take away: One point at a time — why thinking about the scoreboard is the fastest way to lose it Learn to love the hard part — the Goggins principle Kiran applies to 6 AM training Consistency beats talent — what training beside Lakshya Sen taught him about work ethic Mentioned in this episode: Lakshya Sen • Shi Yu Qi • Loh Kean Yew • Alex Lanier •Jonatan Christie • Viktor Axelsen ("Linden" — best aura) • David Goggins • Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) • Thomas Cup • India Open • Swiss Open • Thailand Open • Sidemen Comment below: Could YOU come back from14-20 down? What's the biggest pressure you've ever played under? ABOUT MIC & MAGIC WITH MANAN This is a podcast hosted by young India's most curious interviewer — bringing you honest,inspiring conversations with the country's rising sports stars, achievers, and changemakers. New episodes drop every fortnight at 7 AM. Subscribe to Mic & Magic with Manan for raw, real conversations with India's sporting stars — SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next conversation: www.youtube.com/@micandmagicpodcast Follow us on Instagram:instagram.com/mic.and.magic Listen on Spotify:open.spotify.com/show/1kbEtEA5YS6sES1shYvBJL Listen on Apple Podcasts:podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/mic-and-magic-with-manan/ id1835196806 Twitter/X x.com/micandmagic Write to us - Email: micandmagic@gmail.com #KiranGeorge #Badminton #MicAndMagic#IndianBadminton #ThomasCup #LakshyaSen #PrakashPadukoneAcademy #BWF #IndiaOpen#SwissOpen #BadmintonIndia #SportsPodcast #LohKeanYew #ShiYuQi #DavidGoggins#AthleteMindset #BadmintonLovers #IndianSports #PodcastIndia #TeenPodcaster

    "I MANIFESTED Beating a World Champion" — Kiran George Gets Brutally Honest | Mic & Magic with Manan
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About

Welcome to Mic & Magic, where your host, 14-year-old Manan, sits down for insightful interviews with successful entrepreneurs, trailblazing athletes, and inspiring leaders. We go beyond the highlight reel to map out their entire career journey and the life path that led them to greatness. This isn't just another motivational podcast; it's your playbook for the future. Each conversation is packed with practical advice, actionable tips, and powerful lessons you can apply to your own life. Whether you're looking to build a career in a diverse field, improve your well-being through sports

Information

  • Creator
    Manan Periwal
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Manan Periwal
  • Show Website
    Mic and Magic with Manan