#43 - Maanasa Gopal: Living Like It Matters

Maanasa Gopal lives life as a brilliant art project.In this Natural Genius conversation, Maanasa talks about curiosity, discipline, dreams, planning, Antarctica, creative work, and the people who help us become brave enough to live fully.Maanasa is the founder of SuperBlond, a brand strategist who has worked with TikTok, GoPro, Insta360, foodpanda and DraperTV, and a former biochemistry research scientist who has taken part in climate expeditions to Antarctica. She has travelled across all seven continents, minted the first NFT in Antarctica, made the world’s longest food delivery, and is now working on a three-part body of work documenting her 20s.This episode explores:- Why Maanasa feels genuinely excited to be alive- How curiosity became a life thesis- Dreaming of all seven continents with no money, network or strong passport- Antarctica, risk, character and the magic of following dreams- The importance of good paper, planning and 110 GSM- Depression, grief, support and choosing life- Her mother Shanti’s belief, courage and influence- Network School, digital nomad life and returning to childhood curiosity- Building with women, supporting dreams and documenting a lifeContent note: this conversation includes discussion of severe depression, suicidal thoughts, betrayal, legal conflict, and mental health challenges. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. In an emergency call 000.Guest links:• Maanasa’s world: https://www.diaryofmaanasa.com/• Maanasa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofmaanasa/Conversation mentions:• Network School: https://ns.com/samanthaleebell/invite• Frank Ocean’s Blonde: https://open.spotify.com/album/3mH6qwIy9crq0I9YQbOuDf• Balaji’s Substack: https://balajis.com/Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Maanasa Gopal01:03 Being excited to be alive03:03 Following dreams and the magic around them05:40 Seven continents, Antarctica and impossible dreams08:45 SuperBlond, science, stationery and 110 GSM11:20 Depression, loss and choosing life13:43 Maanasa’s mother, courage and support16:50 Rap, curiosity and finding her own voice21:10 Network School, Bali and factory reset26:24 The 20s Project: book, film series and album28:34 Supporting women and other dreamers30:32 Creative work, Frank Ocean and making art for yourself34:19 Friendship, security and imperfect action37:18 Her mother’s belief and taking risks39:42 Family, time and cherishing peopleCredits:Hosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Kiama and Network School, 25 April 2026.Produced at the Kiama office, 25 April - 11 May 2026.Natural Genius: https://naturalgenius.com.au