Why I Wrote This Eulogy for Myself
February 8, 2025
At first glance, writing your own eulogy might seem like a strange exercise — morbid, even. But in reality, it’s one of the most powerful ways to gain clarity on what truly matters. Inspired by Ali Abdaal’s “Eulogy Exercise”, this piece is a reflection on the values, impact, and legacy I hope to leave behind.
Too often, we get caught up in the grind — chasing titles, salaries, and external validation — without stopping to ask: What do I actually want to be remembered for? Who do I want to become?
This exercise forced me to reverse-engineer my life, aligning my daily actions with the person I aspire to be. It also allowed me to weave in the words of those I’ve worked with, coached, and mentored — people who have been part of my journey and whose growth is a testament to the work I do.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, questioning whether you’re on the right path, I encourage you to try this exercise. Write the story of your life as you’d want it told. Then ask yourself: Am I living in alignment with this vision?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — what do you want to be remembered for? Let’s start the conversation. Here is the eulogy I wrote for myself.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Akshay Ramanathan
Today, we gather not only to mourn the loss but to celebrate the life of Akshay Ramanathan — a man who embraced his perfect imperfection and always strived to be his best self. His life was a testament to continuous learning, self-improvement, and purpose-driven impact.
Akshay’s mission was never about himself alone — it was about the value he could bring to others. Having navigated a childhood where he lacked the love, support, and encouragement he needed, he understood firsthand the power of guidance and mentorship. And so, he dedicated his life to giving others the very things he once sought — direction, encouragement, and belief in their potential.
Those who had the privilege of working with him knew that Akshay’s impact went beyond mere career advice — he created a safe, empowering space where people could not only learn but see their own value in ways they never had before. Whether it was a student struggling to find their footing, a young professional pivoting into a new industry, or a seasoned executive aiming for a promotion, Akshay’s wisdom, patience, and keen insights transformed their journeys.
One client reflected, “This whole process was truly a masterclass — not only in writing resumes but also in career and professional growth. Akshay didn’t just edit documents; he asked the right questions, guided me through self-reflection, and ultimately changed the way I saw my career and future.”
Another called him “an invaluable asset on any career development team,” a mentor whose enthusiasm was contagious and whose passion for helping others went beyond transactional relationships — it was a mission.
A Life Defined by Relationships
To those closest to him, Akshay was more than just a friend, a son, a mentor — he was a force of energy, sincerity, and kindness.
As a friend, he was the embodiment of fun, energy, and lightheartedness, serious about not being serious, knowing that life was too short to take everything to heart. His presence was a reminder that sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone is simply to make them laugh. One colleague described him as “a magnetic presence — friendly, outgoing, and deeply knowledgeable. The most interesting thing about Akshay is that he is completely genuine. It is not just that he has these qualities — it is simply who he is.”
As a romantic partner, he was supportive, communicative, and loving. He didn’t just share love — he nurtured it. His relationships were built on mutual ambition, creation, and impact, where both partners lifted each other up in their pursuit of building something meaningful.
As a son, he was dutiful, dedicated, and grateful — dutiful in the way he built something larger than himself, not just a company but a means to give back to his family, ensuring they were supported just as they had supported him; dedicated because he stayed true to his calling, even when it meant walking an unconventional path; and grateful because he recognized that the small, fleeting moments in life were what made it truly magical.
A Legacy of Impact and Contribution
Akshay’s professional legacy will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to helping the next generation develop the skills they need to thrive — not just as professionals, but as individuals.
He wasn’t just a teacher; he was a communicator, a mentor, and a bridge-builder. His work centered on empathy, kindness, and community-building. He saw the systemic challenges stymying young professionals’ growth and dedicated himself to solving them. He gave people the confidence to recognize and articulate their own value, proving that everyone, regardless of background or starting point, had something unique to offer.
A former mentee shared, “When I first arrived in New York, I had no network, no real career direction, and no idea how to navigate the professional world. In just a few months, Akshay helped me secure an internship, build a network, and gain skills that will stay with me for life. To this day, he remains a mentor and friend.”
A Story of Transformation and Purpose
Akshay was an inspiration because he turned pain into purpose. He transformed a difficult past into a business that was not just profitable but meaningful. He aimed to help an entire generation see their inherent worth, and taught them how to cultivate their strengths, showing that skills, talents, and passions could all be nurtured into something greater.
His life is proof that the road to fulfillment is not without its trials, and as Alex Hormozi has often said, “The lonely chapter is real.” There are moments when we all feel lost, exhausted, and afraid — when self-doubt creeps in, when the path forward is unclear, when it feels like no one truly understands the struggles we face. That chapter — the one where it feels like you’re climbing in the dark with no guarantee of success — is unavoidable. But it is also temporary.
Akshay understood this deeply. He knew that transformation requires solitude, sacrifice, and the kind of perseverance that doesn’t always feel rewarding in the moment. He had lived through the lonely chapter himself — the phase where he was redefining his career, his relationships, and ultimately, his purpose. He had felt the weight of uncertainty, the frustration of setbacks, and the quiet ache of wondering if the effort was worth it. But he also knew that the only way out is through.
And so, he kept pushing forward. He refused to let fear or isolation dictate his path. Instead, he leaned into the discomfort, treating every challenge as a stepping stone to something greater. He understood that while creativity and vision are powerful, they are only 10% of the equation — the other 90% is the work, the resilience, the perseverance to keep going even when progress feels invisible.
This is why his impact was so profound. He didn’t just teach people how to build their careers — he taught them how to navigate their own lonely chapters, to trust in the process, to persist when quitting seemed easier. He showed them that hard work compounds, that consistency wins, and that if you refuse to stop, success becomes inevitable.
And perhaps most importantly, he never let anyone walk through their lonely chapter alone. Whether it was a student trying to break into an industry, a young professional struggling with self-doubt, or a friend questioning their next move, Akshay was there — not to fix their problems for them, but to remind them of their own strength. He believed that while we enter and leave this world alone, the friendships, mentors, and connections we find along the way help us discover who we truly are.
His life teaches us that the struggle is not something to fear — it is something to honor. Because in the darkness of the lonely chapter, we are forged into the people we were always meant to become.
A Life Lived with Intention
Akshay will always be remembered as someone who lived with: ✨ An open heart. ✨ A desire to help others — after first helping himself. ✨ A deep reverence for the fleeting nature of life.
He understood the duality of existence — how life is both short and fragile, yet full of infinite possibility. And because of that, he chose to live it fully.
He believed that our most valuable assets are time and energy, and that these scarce resources should be invested in the people and endeavors that truly fulfill us. With our most basic human needs met, the real struggle begins — the search for purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. And that struggle is not just valid but should be honored.
Finding a journey that is uniquely yours is often a lonely and difficult path. But if there’s one thing Akshay knew, it’s that while we enter and leave this world alone, it is the friends, mentors, and companions we find along the way that help us discover who we truly are — who our eternal souls are meant to be. And if we are to leave this world better than we found it, then we must cherish those connections and use them as guides toward a life of impact, love, and legacy.
His Final Reminder to Us
If Akshay were here today, he would remind us:
🔹 You only have one life — make the most of it.
🔹 There is far more that unites us than divides us.
🔹 We each have the power to define what is meaningful to us.
He was not just happy, joyous, and relaxed — he was serious about success, but only in the way that mattered to him.
Most of all, Akshay was honest — about his struggles, his growth, and his humanity.
And in that honesty, he found his power.
Rest in peace, Akshay. Your story will live on in the people you’ve touched, the lives you’ve shaped, and the legacy you’ve left behind