Winning Stroke: Interview With Rekuram Varadharaj, Co-founder And COO, healthi
If not in the current profession, you would be?
I think I’d have liked to be a lawyer, probably because it combines my liking for logic and reasoning with my love for reading and writing.
One tune you always hum.
Can I name two? U2’s “Beautiful Day” and “Elevation”.
One book to read when you want to motivate yourselves.
In general, I prefer fiction to non-fiction. I find that reading fiction refreshes my mind and motivates me. Plus, there was a study in the Scientific American on how reading literary fiction improves empathy and a reader’s capacity to understand what others are thinking and feeling.
Of the few non-fiction books in my library, the one that I think fits into the motivation book category would be “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There”.
One dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most.
“It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard ... is what makes it great.”
Tom Hanks playing the team manager in A League of Their Own.
The place you never been to and always want to go.
Israel. I’ll probably go there sooner than later.
A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with.
I’m not sure if it made a great movie or TV series, though it is always a fun book to read. But Lord Toranaga from James Clavell’s “Shogun” is a character I aspire to be
Choose one from each below:
Marvel or DC- Marvel hands down, particularly with their recent streak of movies including The Black Panther and the Guardians of the Galaxy
Batman or Superman- I’m an engineer by training. Batman made me believe that being smart and building cool stuff could make you a superhero
Tom or Jerry- Has anyone ever wanted to be Tom?
Chacha Chaudhary or Super Commando Dhruv- Asterix
If your life was to be turned into a movie who would you like to play your part?
I can’t imagine anybody ever wanting to see a movie about me other than my immediate family, and that too under duress.
If there was a movie to be made about a flawed everyman who tries hard, I’d like to see Denzel Washington in his prime or Farhan Akthar play the role of the everyman.
Luck or Hard Work, what do you think weighs more in defining a successful person?
Smart hard work generates good luck.
One best decision you ever made.
No brainer – marrying my wife Jayaroopa.
A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in personal or professional life?
This is something that we always strive to at healthi – “follow through on your convictions”. Usually, the most important step in making a decision is to figure out where your convictions lie.
Whose advice do you seek when in dilemma?
I’m fortunate to have my wife, friends and mentors who I can turn to for advice depending on the help I need. Ultimately though, I believe that it is up to me to make a decision with conviction
What has been your biggest achievement?
Empowering people to take control of their health by making it personalized and unintimidating. I love reading user feedback about how healthi’s customer experience or insights made taking the next preventive step much more approachable or easy for them. We’re on track to sign up about 1.6 million users and I’m just grateful to be able to help build something that makes a big impact on people’s lives
One thing that you want to change in yourself.
I can name more than a few. Being less lazy at home comes readily to mind.
A line said by your closed one that you never forget.
“Practice doesn’t make it perfect, just permanent. Therefore, be judicious in what you practice”.
Clearly, my wife’s and my parents had dinned this into us. We hear ourselves say this to our son often.
