Local Heroes with Mirang Manek

Emilia Schmidt opens up about the life behind the athlete. From moving from Australia to the U.S. at a young age, to building everything from scratch, Emilia talks about what it really takes to chase a dream in professional sport. Training, competing, making money, navigating the politics of the tour, and living far away from family in a completely different time zone - this is the side of the jou...

On this episode of Local Heroes with Mirang Manek, Megan Fudge and Ryler DeHeart open up about life beyond the pickleball court. As two ambassadors of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, they travel across countries helping grow the game, building communities, and showing what pickleball can become. But their journey is also deeply personal. From parenting out of a suitcase to raising...

What does it take to invent an entire universe from scratch? From the spark of inspiration to the hidden stories inside the book, Arpita opens up about her creative process, world-building hacks, and the challenges no one tells you about writing fantasy. In this episode, we dive deep into Arpita’s journey: how she dreamed up Seredene , the challenges of building an entire world from scratch, and t...

What does it take to rise to the top of your sport? How do you turn life’s toughest moments into fuel for greatness? Today, I’m sitting down with Tomas Slavik—a 3x 4X World Champion, King of Crankworx, and the reigning champion of Red Bull Valparaíso, Monserrate, and Miraflores Cerro Abajo. In this episode, Tomas opens up about handling pressure, the mindset of a true champion, and how his challen...

Have you ever wondered what truly lies on the other side of fear? Is it freedom, strength, or perhaps a deeper understanding of life itself? In this episode, I sit down with one of the top Red Bull downhill riders in the world, Pedro Burns. Pedro shares his journey through the ups and downs of life—both on and off the bike—and how those challenges have shaped him into the fearless athlete he is to...

In today’s special episode, we sit down with one of India’s most celebrated comedians, Sahil Shah aka Sahil Bulla, a true master of stand-up who fills theaters with laughter, yet behind the curtains, battles the complexities of fame and the digital world. From the highs of his career to the personal lows, and navigating the tumultuous waves of mental health, he shares an unfiltered glimpse into th...

Meet the Local Hero who changed the course of Local Heroes! If you want to start a podcast, you've reached the right episode. Mae needs no introduction. A pioneer in the audio space, she is the personal inspiration of many, including me. Her creativity is unmatched & her innovation in the podcast space has paved the way for so many young creator to live the breathe their dreams! Mae opens...

Embrace the Power of Progress: A journey from seeking perfection to celebrating growth. Join [Your Name] as they share powerful insights and practical steps to shift your mindset and appreciate the beauty of progress in your own life. Let go of perfectionism, cultivate self-compassion, set meaningful goals, build a supportive community, and practice gratitude.

How often are we told to 'Be Consistent' or 'Practice makes perfect'? From hypotheticals to real life - discover the transformative power of consistency. Explore why consistency is crucial for success and learn practical strategies to incorporate it into your life. From building momentum and trust to boosting self-confidence, consistency holds the key to achieving your goals. Join...

From conquering peaks to riding Mountains, Vivek opens up about what keeps him going and what really goes behind living a life where fitness isn't a chore or task. It's a lifestyle. Taking a peak into his professional life, I learnt a lot about partnerships, relationships as well as friendship. When it comes to the work life balance, this Local Hero has a take on things that will resonate...

From playing in packed stadiums of thousands of fans to quitting it all to move to the corporate world. How did Koco get back to the thing he loved most? Brutally honest and a an optimist of the highest level, Koco opens up about his music, his life, the tragedies that made him the man he is today, his exciting plans for the future as well as the impact his divorce had on his son.  Speaking w...

How a young Orthopaedic redefined the traditional image of a doctor and spread hope to millions. Who is a doctor? Are they just people who cure the ill? Are they gods who heal those in need? Are they scapegoats you attack when you’re sad? Can they be more? Should they be more? Social media is the hub of misinformation and todays guest is a doctor who has taken a new age approach to spreading welln...

It doesn't matter if you have the best products in the world if you aren't able to tell your brand's story and reach people. Marketing and Advertising isn't a task, it's an art. Today's Local Heroes, Rakshit Jain & Vedang Jain are the second gen pioneers from Prachar Communications who are carrying on the legacy from their fathers (the founders of Prachar & game changers in the industry) a...

Michelle Philip is a TEACHER in every definition of the word. She has seen the change in generations as well as the introduction of Social Media and what it presently means to students and where it's going. Michelle opens up about growing up as a 'fat kid' and overcoming the negativity with her super power. At an age where people like to slow down, she has has taken up the mic both as a podcaster...

Cancer can shake the foundations not only of a patient, but of a family, forever. It's a chapter in someone's life that is a roller coaster of emotions, pain and strength. Todays Local Hero is a write, adventurer and survivor. Roopa opens up about her family and how her 6 year old daughter suddenly grew up in a day when she was starting death in the eyes. Everyone's story of survival is different...

Ayesha Lobo, first and foremost is a friend, mentor and Local Hero. She has worn the Indian Flag across the globe and inspired Indians to take up sailing not only as a hobby, but as a competitive sport as well as a profession. She's a self taught boss lady and a fierce competitor. Her journey and perspectives as a sportsman have changed my views over time.

He started out as a Radio Jockey in the 90's at the age of 14 and hasn't looked back since. From voiceovers to television to hosting events, Siddharth Kannan is the undisputed king. He didn't join the party, he created a revolution. He learnt to embrace himself and created a niche that made him untouchable. Today, after almost 3 decades, he is still the most sought out host and interviewer and is...

From struggling with dyslexia to winning in a world chaos, Benaisha Kharas Dongre has a heart of gold. An image consultant and counsellor by profession, Benaisha's life and the Local Heroes around her have taught her to change the narrative. It's taught her to move forward. I threw everything at her in this conversation and as negative as I was in the beginning, her patience, calmness and positivi...

Do your best, dump the rest - such a simple line, yet so difficult to practice. Ayesha Adlakha is a VJ, and actress as well as a digital marketing priate, but most importantly, a friend. A friend with a loyal and a pure heart. She opens up about living her life on the internet, the persona's she created for herself as well as the ones she had to create. This unfiltered conversation digs through th...

A lot of people have asked me what I do to get rid of stress. The answer is...

He came to Mumbai with a ticket and a dream. A dream to live the life that millions aspire to live in the multibillion rupee film industry. His story is worthy of a biopic and his thoughts stick with you, forever. An actor by profession, a story teller by heart, you’ve seen him in films like Shershah and shows like Guilty minds and Salt city. Pranay opens up about what it really means to be in the...

They say that divorce is nothing more than a piece of paper. It's just a break up. Then why is it such a big deal? Today's episode is something we need to listen too. We live in a bubble. Are divorced women really impure? Are we really still living in a society that harass' families? Are divorced women untouchable? What's wrong with them? A few days back, I would have called the above pure fiction...

It all started with a promise she made to herself when she was 6 years old. From jamming with the biggest rock icons across the globe like Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood, Alice Cooper, Ritchie Sambora (and the list goes on), to being a rockstar of her own right,  her albums have gone multi platinum and her music is sensational. As special as her music is, her story is extra...

Is 'Acceptance' an Art, a Virtue or a Sign of Weakness? Is it something that helps us move on or helps us surrender? Time is one of  the most cruel mistresses that heals in the most beautiful of ways, only if you let it! Only when you come to terms with situations, you can create a platform to BOUNCE BACK!

Staying true to yourself in an every changing environment is difficult, specially when quick trends and short format content trump the thumb. How you sustain a career that spans over 3 decades? How do you maintain your spot at the top when the world is hell bent on pulling you down? How can you succeed when your biggest opponent is yourself? Hrishikesh Kannan is a pioneer of Indian Radio. He start...