Vijay Rajendran has coached founders in more than 80 countries, but in this conversation we go far beyond Silicon Valley buzzwords and venture metrics. Vijay opens up about growing up between countries, learning to read new cultures and power dynamics from scratch, and how those immigrant experiences shaped his approach to leadership, risk, and resilience. He shares how watching his father serve patients from every walk of life led him to microfinance work in Cameroon, and how that calling to “be of service” eventually evolved into coaching entrepreneurial leaders around the world. We talk about pressure, expectations, and that simple but life-changing question: “Would I ever want my children to feel this way?”
Vijay breaks down imposter syndrome as a sign of growth, not failure, and explains how to find the “joy of juggling” when you have a lot on your shoulders. He shares practical tools to minimize regret, find clarity in uncertainty, and reclaim your agency so your confidence can finally shine through.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.