Life Positive — January 2018

immensely. I never gave up on
my dream and finally made it
to the top!” Kuntal learned that
“No matter what people say,
you must continue to nurture
your dream and protect it like
your baby,” adding that there
are no shortcuts to the top.
He also learnt to live in the
present. “Whether it’s running
a business or climbing a
mountain, we are so focussed
on getting to the top that we
forget to live in the present and
enjoy the process of getting
there. While aiming for the
destination is important, one
must enjoy the journey too.”
Ever since Kuntal began
spending more time in the
mountains and nature,

has started enjoying the

present and learning from

every moment. He goes on

to narrate how this attitude

was reinforced in him when

he escaped sure death in the

2015 avalanche. “That night,

when I went to sleep, my entire

life played out in front of me. I

realized that if one has a dream

or passion, the best time to

pursue it is now. Not tomorrow

or the day after, not in 60 years

when one has all the time and

money—now!

Embracing veganism

Many are stumped to discover

that Kuntal is a vegan.

Considering he pursues such

a physically daunting passion

and trains really hard for

it, most wonder how Kuntal

manages to get all his nutrients

and energy with a vegan diet.

“I was born and raised a

vegetarian. However, it was

more about convenience, taste,

and above all, apathy towards

animal rights. For instance,

I would not eat an omelette

or boiled eggs, but would

happily eat a cake which had

used eggs as an ingredient,”

Kuntal didn’t think much

about it until he moved to Los

Angeles in 2001 to pursue

higher studies. “One of my

roommates at university was

a vegan by choice and exposed

me to the horrors of the dairy,

poultry, and leather industry.

Kuntal Joisher’s dogged

determination enabled him to

climb the Everest despite daunting

challenges

Kuntal Joisher

70 LifePositive | FEBRUARY 2018^