Life Lessons from Naval Ravikant: How to Build a Fit Body and Calm Mind

Bala BitesLifestyleApril 3, 2025

BALA BITES: 5 NAVALISMS THAT WILL CHALLENGE HOW YOU THINK

Loyal BB readers know my love of this quote from Naval Ravikant:

“A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought — they must be earned.”

It’s simple. It’s true. It's reduced to an essential meaning that's understood by all.

Naval’s story gives the quote even more weight.

Born in New Delhi in 1974, he moved to Queens at age nine. Along the way, he's achieved major success in Silicon Valley and established himself as someone who thinks differently from the crowd.

Today, he's part philosopher, part builder, part poet.

But Naval is not one of those "I've made millions and here's the secret to life even though I didn't follow my own advice to get to where I am today" people.

He offers something more real. Which is why Naval made it into this week's BB despite having no gut health or fitness hacks to share (he admits that sometimes he sleeps a lot and sometimes he doesn't sleep much at all).

Naval talks about how to live well. Not longer. How to build a fit body and cultivate a calm mind.

Naval shares timeless habits for health and happiness.

THE MODERN WISDOM PODCAST

Naval was recently on the Modern Wisdom podcast, which is hosted by Chris Williamson. Chris has 3.5m followers on YouTube and has produced 900+ episodes.

Modern Wisdom explores life lessons and understanding the world through conversations with various thinkers and experts.

The Naval interview, all 3+ hours of it, will be sure to be one of his bests.

Here are 5 of my favorite Naval POVs that will be sure to challenge all BB readers.

1/ Happiness is a skill.

Naval asks his friends “If you’re so smart, why aren’t you happy?”

Most people are chasing success hoping it brings happiness. But Naval believes the order is reversed—happiness is upstream of success. Happiness is not a finish line you cross. It’s a habit. A mindset. A muscle.

2/ Take the harder path (at first).

One of Naval's personal growth tips is whenever you face a tough decision, Naval advises to choose the one with more short-term pain. Why? Because your brain overreacts to immediate discomfort. And underestimates long-term regret. Better choices usually feel harder in the moment.

3/ Anxiety is a signpost.

Naval says anxiety comes from unidentified internal conflicts. When you have two opposing desires battling it out beneath the surface.

Most people bury these tensions so deep they no longer know the cause. But your body keeps the score. That score often shows up as chronic stress, bad sleep, or just… feeling stuck.

4/ Happiness ≠ Envy

The happiest version of you doesn’t envy the successful-but-miserable version of someone else. Because success without peace is just decoration. Because real health starts in the mind.

5/ Action beats “success p*rn.”

Naval believes that the people who are really extraordinarily successful didn’t sit around watching "success p*rn". They just went out and did the thing they wanted to do.

In this context, "success p*rn" is content, often motivational or self-help material, that showcases exaggerated or idealized stories of success, designed to inspire or entertain rather than provide practical guidance.

Naval believes health works the same way. Less reading, more doing. Start with one food swap. One new workout routine. One habit at a time.

NOT A WELLNESS GURU

Naval would be the first to shun a "wellness guru" label but his wisdom feels deeply aligned with what we care about here. Intentional living. Clear thinking. A well-lived life.

So this week, remember that your goals (A fit body, a calm mind, and a house full of love) have to be earned.

Put in the work because that's what matters.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Naval teaches that to build a fit body and cultivate a calm mind, small daily habits are key
Naval's personal growth tips remind us that living a good life doesn’t have to be complicated
Action beats researching, no matter how small or large the step is