What if fear, stress, and even pain weren't enemies to overcome—but powerful allies?

On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Akshay Nanavati, founder and author of Fearvana. Akshay has built his life and mission around transforming our relationship with negative emotions—teaching us how to channel fear, struggle, and discomfort into fuel for growth, clarity, and resilience.

Drawing from his own extraordinary experiences, including life-threatening adventures and personal battles, Akshay shares his process for reframing fear and using it as a compass instead of a roadblock. Whether you're a high achiever facing burnout or simply someone looking for more courage in daily life, this episode offers a blueprint for turning struggle into strength.

⏱ On This Episode

[02:14 ] – Why high performers struggle with fear, stress, and self-sabotage

[05:06 ] – The science of reframing "negative" emotions into productive energy

[07:38 ] – Akshay's personal story: a time when Fearvana helped him in life-or-death situations

[10:41 ] – How embracing fear builds resilience instead of draining energy

[13:22 ] – The mindset shift that turns pain into purpose and clarity

[16:08 ] – Practical exercises for using fear as a tool in business and life

[19:47 ] – Kyle and Akshay discuss how to reframe failure as training, not defeat

[23:11 ] – Why fearlessness is a myth—and why fear itself is essential for growth

[26:40 ] – Closing insights: how to live a bold, aligned, and purpose-driven life with Fearvana