Life has a funny way of introducing us to the people who shape us. Some we meet in person, some we never get the chance to, and some become our guiding lights without even knowing it. These are my mentors—the ones I’ve met and the ones I haven’t, but all of them have changed my life in ways I can never fully repay.
*The First and Foremost: My Family
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Before I talk about the mentors I’ve met or admired from afar, I need to mention the ones who have been there from the very beginning—my family.
My Mom – Love without expectations.
She faces every challenge with a smile. No matter how tough life gets, she keeps going, always radiating warmth and positivity. If I ever need a reminder of strength wrapped in kindness, she’s the one I look to.
My Dad – The silent protector.
The one who would take a bullet for me without a second thought. He may not always say much, but his actions speak volumes. He teaches me righteousness, resilience, and responsibility.
My Brother – The most caring and loving soul.
He has the biggest heart and never hesitates to stand by my side. He teaches me kindness, patience, and what it truly means to care for someone unconditionally.
These three are my foundation—the ones who have taught me love, care, respect, and how to face challenges with a smile.
The Ones I Never Met (But Oh, How They’ve Guided Me!)
Naval Ravikant – The man who taught me to seek my own truth.
“Don’t take anyone’s word for it. Find your own truth.” That hit me hard. His clarity on life, business, and money is unmatched, and his podcasts? Absolute gold. Also, he introduced me to one of my favorite quotes: “You have two lives, and the second begins when you realize you have only one.” Life. Changed.
Steve Jobs – The legend of passion and dreams.
His Stanford speech? Mind-blowing. “Don’t waste your time living someone else’s life.” If there’s one thing that keeps me going on tough days, it’s this. His passion for his dreams makes me madly respect him.
Linus Torvalds – The artist of software.
Not just a programmer but a sculptor of logic. His strong opinions, bold expressions, and obsession with clear-cut requirements have shaped the way I see software development. His talk on Git? One of my favorite binge-watches.
Robin Sharma – The monk who sold his Ferrari and gave me my mornings.
The 5 AM Club and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari are among the best books I’ve read. His words always remind me to be disciplined yet mindful.
Tim Urban – The master of procrastination (and the reason I’m working on it!).
His TED Talk on procrastination? It was like looking into a mirror. That was the moment I realized—yep, I need to fix this.
MS Dhoni – The calm amidst the storm.
I get anxious over a production issue, and here’s a guy leading a team, with millions watching, staying cool as ever. His presence of mind and leadership are something I wish I could bottle up and sip daily.
Derek Sivers – The man who taught me that everything is my fault.
Sounds harsh? But it's the best lesson ever. Taking charge of my life and never blaming circumstances or people has been empowering beyond words.
James Clear – The habit whisperer.
Atomic Habits and his newsletter always gives me food for thought. The little changes, the small wins—he made me see that they matter.
Foodpharmer & Fit Tuber – The ones who made me rethink food.
Their YouTube channels turned my perspective upside down. They showed me the mirror when it came to my eating habits and made me question everything I put on my plate.
Pranjal Kamra & Rachana Ranade – The money minds.
They taught me how to invest, how to think about money, and how to be financially literate. Lessons I wish were part of school curriculums!
Ankur Warikoo – The man who made me fearless about failure.
Fail, try again, read, learn, repeat. He made failure feel like a stepping stone rather than a dead-end.
The Real-Life Mentors Who Shaped Me
While the above names have impacted me from a distance, the real magic has been in the people I’ve been lucky enough to meet. The ones who have shaped my behavior, supported me when I needed it the most, and—most importantly—showed me the mirror when I needed it.
My Family – My first and forever mentors.
Beyond just love and care, they’ve taught me integrity, resilience, and how to embrace life’s challenges with a smile. I wouldn’t be who I am without them.
Bhushan – My lifeboat in stormy seas.
The one who keeps me afloat when I feel like sinking. My constant support system.
I think he has been the biggest force behind me being me. He’s the kind of person who balances everything—responsibilities, challenges, and life itself—all while carrying a smile. He’s an inspiration.
He always roots for me. Whenever I feel sad, depressed, or anxious, he’s the first one to rescue me. He encourages me, scolds me when needed, and holds up a mirror when I need to face the truth.
Best friend? Bestest friend.
Anu teacher - Shattered My Arrogance
I used to think I was a hotshot. Smarter than my peers, ahead of my teachers—I believed I had it all figured out. And because of that, I was arrogant, dismissive, and, honestly, a little unbearable.
Then came Anu Teacher. She didn’t just correct me—she knocked some sense into me (quite literally). That slap wasn’t just a wake-up call; it was a reality check. She made me realize that intelligence without humility is useless, that respect isn’t optional, and that true strength lies in empathy and understanding.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that moment. It changed me. It made me better.
JD – My real-life hero.
Passionate about problem-solving, self-made, a genius at touch-typing without a keyboard (still blows my mind).
The story of his life gives me goosebumps. I cry every single time. I'm very proud of you, Jd. He always strives to improve, I haven't seen a manager like him who genuinely truly cares for his team.
I wouldn’t know half of what I do today if it weren’t for him. God sent? I think so. My dream? To make this amazing human being proud one day. JD, you are the best!
Somil – The leader who lets you swim on your own but never lets you drown.
His memory and attention to detail are unreal. He covers for your mistakes when needed but doesn’t hesitate to show you the mirror. He doesn’t just teach you to solve problems—he lets you dive deep and figure them out yourself. That’s leadership. Thank you, Somil!
These are the people—some distant, some close—who have shaped me. They’ve made me question, learn, unlearn, and grow. While you may not have the fortune of meeting them, I hope this list gives you a glimpse of the wisdom they have to offer. And maybe, just maybe, one of them might end up being a mentor to you too.
Here’s to learning, evolving, and finding our own truth.
With gratitude,
Vedita
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