The Kitchen Table

From Wealth to Fulfillment: How People Pleasing Almost Cost Me My Life with Saahil Mehta

Episode Summary

In this deeply personal and transformative episode, Saahil Mehta opens up about his journey from achieving external success to finding true fulfillment. As a second-generation entrepreneur who built a seven-figure net worth by age 20 and runs multiple successful businesses in diamond trading and hospitality, Saahil appeared to have it all. But by 36, despite checking every box of conventional success, he found himself empty, disconnected from his family, and trapped in a life driven by people pleasing rather than purpose. This conversation explores the pivotal moment when Saahil's pursuit of wealth and approval nearly cost him everything - his health, his relationships, and ultimately his life. Through vulnerability and raw honesty, he shares how he broke free from the "horse with blinders" mentality, redefined success on his own terms, and built the Zero Regret framework that now guides his coaching practice and helps other entrepreneurs avoid the same painful path. Host Ken Baden guides this authentic dialogue that moves beyond business metrics to explore what truly matters: purpose, presence, relationships, and living aligned with your values. Saahil offers practical wisdom on recognizing when you're living someone else's definition of success, the importance of decluttering physical and emotional baggage, and how to make decisions that lead to fulfillment rather than regret. This episode is essential listening for any entrepreneur who's wondered if there's more to success than the bottom line, anyone feeling trapped by others' expectations, or business owners seeking to build companies and lives they're truly proud of.

Episode Notes

Guest Background:

• Saahil Mehta - Based in Dubai (visiting New York during recording)
• Entrepreneur running three businesses
• Second-generation entrepreneur (diamond trading business started by father at age 54)
• First-generation entrepreneur (hospitality business running ~17 years)
• Author of "Break Free: A Guide to Decluttering Your Life"
• Success coach and member of Dr. Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches
• Keynote speaker with upcoming TED Talk (February 5th)
• Father and husband committed to family presence

Key Themes Discussed:

1. The Success Paradox
   • Achieved seven-figure net worth by age 20
   • Hit all conventional success markers by age 36
   • Felt completely unfulfilled despite external achievements
   • The danger of having "blinders on" focused only on wealth creation
2. The People Pleasing Crisis
   • How people pleasing became a life-threatening issue
   • Ignoring personal needs and health for others' approval
   • The cultural and familial conditioning around pleasing others
   • Breaking free from the need for external validation
3. Rock Bottom and Awakening
   • The moment of realization that something had to change
   • Confronting the emptiness behind the success facade
   • The courage to admit vulnerability and seek help
   • Beginning the journey of self-discovery
4. Redefining Success
   • Moving from society's definition to personal definition
   • Understanding that success without fulfillment is hollow
   • The importance of aligning actions with values
   • Creating a life of purpose, not just profit
5. The Zero Regret Philosophy
   • Decision-making framework based on avoiding future regret
   • "If your decision will take you to potential regret, think again"
   • Living intentionally rather than reactively
   • Taking ownership of your choices and their consequences
6. Decluttering Life
   • Physical decluttering as a gateway to mental clarity
   • Identifying and releasing emotional baggage
   • Letting go of limiting beliefs and conditioning
   • Creating space for what truly matters
7. Family and Relationships
   • The wake-up call about missing his children's childhood
   • Choosing presence over productivity
   • Being a better father, husband, and friend
   • The ripple effect of personal transformation on all relationships
8. Coaching and Mentorship
   • Working with Marshall Goldsmith and the 100 Coaches community
   • Helping other entrepreneurs avoid similar pitfalls
   • The power of vulnerability in leadership
   • Creating sustainable success that includes fulfillment
9. Practical Transformation Steps
   • Starting with self-awareness and honest assessment
   • Free complimentary webinar to kickstart the journey
   • Discovery calls for personalized guidance
   • Daily practices for maintaining alignment

Notable Quotes:

• "If your decision will take you to potential regret, think again"
• "I felt like a horse with blinders on - focused only on wealth creation"
• "I've hit all the boxes but felt completely unfulfilled"
• "At what expense are you achieving your success?"
• "Your dad started a company at 54 - it's never too late"
• "Success without fulfillment is just an expensive emptiness"

Resources & Links:

Saahil Mehta's Resources:

• Website: www.saahilmehta.com/success
• Free Complimentary Webinar: Available at above link
• Book: "Break Free: A Guide to Decluttering Your Life"
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/saahilmehta
• TED Talk: "How People Pleasing Almost Cost Me My Life" (February 5th, available online 60-90 days after)
• Social Media: Search "Saahil Mehta" on major platforms

The Kitchen Table Podcast:

• Website: thekitchentablepodcast.net
• Host: Ken Baden
  • CEO/Owner of Baden Consulting
  • CEO/Owner of Potomac Custom Remodeling

Action Items for Listeners:

1. Immediate Actions:
   • Reflect on your own definition of success - is it yours or someone else's?
   • Identify one area where you're people pleasing at the expense of your well-being
   • Consider what "baggage" (physical or emotional) you might be carrying
2. This Week:
   • Enroll in Saahil's free complimentary webinar at saahilmehta.com/success
   • Read or purchase "Break Free: A Guide to Decluttering Your Life"
   • Journal about a decision you're facing using the "Zero Regret" framework
3. This Month:
   • Schedule a discovery call with Saahil if you're ready for transformation
   • Implement one decluttering practice (physical or mental)
   • Share this episode with an entrepreneur friend who might need to hear this message
4. Long Term:
   • Watch Saahil's TED Talk when it goes live
   • Regularly assess whether your actions align with your values
   • Build a support system that encourages authentic success

Episode Insights:

This episode stands out for its raw honesty about the dark side of entrepreneurial success. Saahil doesn't just share his story - he provides a roadmap for others to avoid the same traps. The conversation challenges conventional notions of success and offers a more holistic, sustainable approach to building both business and life.

Key takeaways include the importance of defining success on your own terms, recognizing the warning signs of burnout and unfulfillment, and understanding that it's never too late to course-correct. Saahil's father starting a business at 54 is particularly inspiring for listeners who feel they've missed their window.

The Zero Regret philosophy provides a practical framework that listeners can immediately apply to their decision-making process, while the emphasis on decluttering offers tangible first steps toward transformation.