Prakash Padukone on Raising Deepika, Her Depression & What Success Really Costs

In this episode, we sit down with legendary badminton champion Prakash Padukone to explore his historic journey from navigating an era with no infrastructure to becoming the World No. 1. We delve into how sports serve as an investment in vital life skills, teaching youth how to work in teams, accept defeat, and navigate setbacks. Prakash shares invaluable advice for parents on identifying true passion over mere liking, giving children the freedom and safety to explore unconventional careers, and why complete alignment between both parents is essential for a child's success. We also discuss his daughter Deepika Padukone's brave battle with depression, how it led to her pioneering mental health foundation, and the crucial lessons it taught their family about pressure, stress management, and breaking the societal stigma surrounding mental illness.HighlightsLife Skills Through Sports: Sports teach fundamental life skills—such as team spirit, time management, the ability to accept defeat, and navigating setbacks—that are critical for success in the university and corporate worlds.Supporting Unconventional Passions: Parents should treat sports and unconventional interests as an investment rather than an expense, giving children the safe space to explore their true passions without the fear of failure.Discipline and Commitment Over Raw Talent: True success requires deep discipline and devotion. In an academy setting, a dedicated and highly committed player is always preferable to a naturally talented but uncommitted one.Overcoming Mental Health Stigma: Mental illness is a common, treatable ailment that can affect anyone from adolescents to the elderly. Early intervention, breaking the silence, and speaking to a therapist are key to navigating high-pressure environments.The Power of Lead-by-Example Parenting: Children emulate what their parents do rather than what they say. To pass down core values like humility and discipline, both parents must be on the same page and act out the language they preach.Timestamps00:00 - Intro & Deepika's Early Ambitions01:07 - Values Instilled by Sports02:44 - Screen Time vs. Physical Activity03:45 - Teamwork & Handling Defeat04:49 - Mistake: Forcing Kids into Choices07:32 - Advice on Unconventional Careers09:28 - Liking something vs. True Passion11:08 - Raising Deepika & Anisha13:56 - Why Today's Kids Are Smarter16:33 - The Power of Unified Parental Support17:35 - Deepika’s Mental Health Journey20:19 - Breaking the Stigma of Depression21:11 - Lessons on Success & Pressure23:44 - Youth Mental Health Challenges26:39 - Playing 18-Year-Olds at Age 728:23 - Training Without Coaches or Videos29:47 - National Champion at Age 1631:25 - Early Financial & Funding Hardships33:08 - Finding the Core Internal Drive35:03 - The 7-Year International Struggle46:30 - Lowest Moment: Losing as World No. 148:12 - Overtraining & Bouncing Back50:54 - Life Lesson: Stop Complaining01:05:10 - Balancing Speed & Precision01:05:52 - Deception & Wrist Work Secrets01:07:20 - What the Academy Evaluates: The 4 Ds01:09:21 - Discipline Over Raw Talent01:13:40 - Staying Humble Despite Success01:15:00 - Action vs. Words in Parenting01:16:17 - Conclusion👇 Connect with GuestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/popular/prakash-padukone/👇 Connect with Rodrigo and Something BiggerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigocanelasInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodrigocanelasTikTok: https://www.tiktok/@rodrigo_canelasWeb: https://www.somethingbigger.comX: https://x.com/rodrigo_canelas🎬 Production TeamHost: Rodrigo CanelasVideo Editor (Long-Format): Rishabh GuptaVideo Editor (Short-Form): Vishal MeenaThumbnail design: Aniket SinghContent Producer: Arsh Khan#PrakashPadukone #DeepikaPadukone #BadmintonChampion #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingAdvice #LiveLoveLaugh