Founder, Unboxed!

Kabeer Lal

Founder, Unboxed! is a podcast by Kabeer Lal, that explores the humanness of entrepreneurship. In each episode, I sit down with founders to unpack the childhood, turning points, fears, and values that shaped them. The tone is raw, real, and reflective—less about glossy success stories, more about the grit, gut, and growth that go into building something meaningful from the ground up. No PR spins, no corporate polish—just real people talking about real decisions, detours, doubts, and dreams.

Episodes

  1. 12/12/2025

    Is Your Career Killing You? What This Founder Discovered.

    Saurabh Thapa has transitioned from the high-pressure world of corporate sales to the grounded stillness of the mountains. A former engineer who worked with brands like New Holland and Fiat, he realised the "9-to-5" travel grind was leading to burnout, not fulfilment. Today, he is a fitness entrepreneur, a hotelier running the Shiva retreat in Mukteshwar, and the owner of a CrossFit box, all while living a life deeply rooted in spiritual practice. In this conversation, Saurabh opens up about: Growing up as an "Army Kid" and how constant movement taught him grounding The frustration of corporate "Excel sheet culture" and the realization he was meant for more The pivotal loss of his father and the 2014 spiritual awakening that changed his trajectory Why he quit his job on a specific date to launch a business with zero prior experience Surviving the hospitality crash during COVID-19 and pivoting to professional fitness Overcoming family resistance: "Why is an engineer running a tent house?" The "100REP" program: A solution for corporate employees trapping themselves in unhealthy cycles His biggest blind spot as a founder: Taking things too personally and prioritizing people over profit Building a legacy for his daughter based on an ecosystem of help, not just revenue His 60-second founder fix on trust, "200% Intention", and the power of visualization You will hear Saurabh explain why true entrepreneurship isn't about the hustle—it's about the flow. He bridges the gap between the physical discipline of CrossFit and the internal discipline of a seeker. If you are feeling stuck in a corporate loop, looking to balance your ambition with your inner peace, or want to understand how to build a business that actually serves your life, this episode offers a refreshing perspective. Listen now. And subscribe for more conversations about the humanness of entrepreneurship on Founder Unboxed. Tags: entrepreneurship, corporate burnout, CrossFit, fitness business, spiritual entrepreneurship, hospitality industry, Saurabh Thapa, Founder Unboxed, Kabeer Lal, 100REP, mental health, career pivot, visualization, Mukteshwar, work-life balance

    24 min
  2. 12/11/2025

    The Discipline Behind Wealth: Vikrant Gupta on Money, Risk, and a Long Game Mindset

    Vikrant Gupta has managed billions in institutional capital in Australia, built a SEBI licensed portfolio management firm from scratch in India, and shaped a philosophy of money that goes far beyond returns. He runs Aricus Wealth, manages over 100 crores in assets, and works with a clear process driven mindset that resists panic and prizes long term clarity. In this conversation, Vikrant opens up about • Growing up in a frugal baniya household that shaped his early relationship with money • Working for free as an intern in Australia to play the long game • Managing institutional portfolios worth billions and what that taught him about judgment • Why instinct only works when backed by structure • His move back to India and the opportunity cost he still carries • AI in wealth management and the shift from information advantage to behavioural advantage • Scuba diving lessons that shaped his thinking on panic, calm, and control • The bold move of applying for a SEBI PMS license and what that risk means • Why most investors fail due to emotions, not markets You will hear Vikrant break down money in a simple, direct way. No noise. No hype. Just process, behaviour, and clarity. If you want to understand how serious investors think or want to sharpen your own approach to risk, saving, and long term decision making, this episode will help you reset your lens. Listen now. And subscribe for more conversations about the humanness of entrepreneurship on Founder, Unboxed. Tags entrepreneurship, investing, wealth management, PMS, SEBI, long term investing, behavioral finance, Aricus Wealth, Vikrant Gupta, Founder Unboxed, Kabeer Lal, financial discipline, personal finance, decision making, AI in investing

    36 min

About

Founder, Unboxed! is a podcast by Kabeer Lal, that explores the humanness of entrepreneurship. In each episode, I sit down with founders to unpack the childhood, turning points, fears, and values that shaped them. The tone is raw, real, and reflective—less about glossy success stories, more about the grit, gut, and growth that go into building something meaningful from the ground up. No PR spins, no corporate polish—just real people talking about real decisions, detours, doubts, and dreams.