“I was bullied cos I have a big head. But when I looked in the mirror I saw the same person I still see today – someone who was motivated, passionate, and who cared.”

From Hoops to Hydration: How a Failed Basketballer Found His Competitive Edge

We've all been there, waking up after a night of celebration, feeling groggy, low on energy, and let’s be honest – just downright awful.

What if there was a way to put an end to the tiredness?

Enter No Days Wasted, a company born from a personal science project, which set out to revolutionize how we recover from a night of a little too much fun. 

Bound by 4 main pillars: Recovery, immune support, hydration, and sleep.

Today on David to Goliath, we catch up with the visionary founder Nishal Kumar, a great guy who was kind enough to let me stay in his Vancouver apartment during some of the darkest days of my life.

I witnessed first-hand as he breathed life into this business, and today, the product is not only in his hands but making waves in the industry.

Perhaps from reading this newsletter, you may learn a thing or two about science.

You may also have a revelation that could liberate you from sacrificing tomorrow's plans for tonight's enjoyment.

Sounds like something we could all benefit from, right?

But before we dive into Nishal’s back story, listen to our uncut conversation on The David to Goliath Podcast by clicking our beautiful faces below (damn I love those WeWork booths).

Now let’s learn about the brains behind the founder of No Days Wasted.

It all started with competition. Born in the routes of sport.

The Game That Made the Man

Nishal’s journey unfolds on the hardwood.

A sacred space where he unearthed the bedrock of invaluable life lessons.

Marked by highs and lows, victories and defeats, but above all, a commitment to the pursuit of greatness.

The basketball court.

"Basketball is foundational in my life for everything I do. I would have games up to 100 points on my driveway with my brother – there would be battles, end in tears. I was playing since I was 4 or 5."

From those early driveway combats to the competitive courts at university, Nishal learnt the values that would become the pillars of his success:

1. Competitiveness

2. Teamwork

3. Leadership

And an indomitable work ethic.

“It taught me how to care about something, lead, build a community and how to work.”

The pathway was clear – the best player from the school earned a coveted spot on the regional team, with the ultimate goal of representing the province.

The prospect of playing for a local college team tugged at his ambitions, but as he stood on the cusp, destiny took a different path.

Academics redirected him to the prestigious University of British Columbia.

The pursuit of excellence did not wane, as he continued to chase his basketball dreams, while navigating through the intricacies of university life.

Despite accolades and MVP titles, rejection was a regular companion.

Whilst he had a burning desire to succeed, he found himself underprepared on judgement day.

"I didn’t put my best foot forward. It was too little too late."

A huge setback. A moment of reckoning that would have broken most souls.

But the underdog spirit kept aflame and it’s one that defines his story.

Ever since, the concept of competition has been a driving force in Nishal’s journey, shaping his approach to challenges and adversity.

“Everyone’s saying ‘keep failing’ – while it’s important to feel that adversity, if you don’t get the wins, you’re gonna practice bad habits. You’re really not doing the things you need to do."

"It was tough for me to put on weight when I was younger – Before basketball and after, I was practicing – I was obsessed. I had some idols I looked up to. I would crush it in trials, I thought I had this. Then there would be that evening the next week when I was supposed to get the phone call – I’d get the call, coach said you know what, you had a great showing at trials but you’re too skinny. 3 years in a row I never made the regional team although at the peak I played at college level and trained players who played at pro level in Europe.”

The power of hearing "no" and learning to navigate through adversity becomes a focal point.

"Competition is hyper important – a rising tide raises all ships. If you had no competition, there would be no understanding of standards – what the playing field looks like. If it wasn’t for competition – we wouldn’t be having this conversation today. Evolution, survival of the fittest is what got us here."

The further we can look back, the further we can look forward. Anyone can be a critic.

A lot of people project their own insecurities.

But in the words of Roosevelt – “It’s not the critic who counts – it’s the man (or woman) who’s actually in the arena."

So face those setbacks head on, learn from them, and utilize competition as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

Discovering His Potential Through Academia

Instead of succumbing to defeat, Nishal channelled his energy into a new arena.

He discovered a passion that would chart the next course for his extraordinary journey – science and problem-solving.

“I wanted to be a doctor – so science and solving problems became my path.”

As he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at UBC, he absorbed another crucial lesson: the power of first principles thinking.

The simplicity of breaking down complex problems to their core.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences professors, because they instilled a foundation of first principles and challenged us every day to think how to solve problems.”

Amid his academic pursuits, the desire to build his own business simmered beneath the surface, a flame fuelled by a deep-rooted passion for creating something with meaningful impact.

To stamp his own uniqueness on the world.

The sciences became the fertile ground where the building blocks of his future endeavours were laid.

The right mentors, who recognized his potential and nurtured his aspirations, played a pivotal role in steering him more towards the realm of science.

It was time to unleash his creative potential.

Professional Work, Learning, and Finding His Passion

Nishal’s entrepreneurial appetite was ignited further when he seized an opportunity with electric car giant, Tesla, during his undergraduate years.

Immersing himself in the world of sales and marketing, he discovered a passion that went beyond the confines of a traditional science career.

His exposure to the ground-breaking electric vehicle technology sparked a fascination with the science behind it, from the complexities of charging a battery to understanding the unit economics tied to the movement of charged particles and electrons.

“They had only a handful of cars on the road but I thought: This is very cool and it has a science foundation. Understanding the chemistry of charging a battery. Understanding the unit economics where you're tying the dollars and cents to the movement of charged particles and electrons. That was super invaluable. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.”

Another reminder to you that life is not a linear path.

Your unique experiences that you gather along the way are your biggest competitive advantage.

Transitioning from Tesla to a geotechnical engineering firm, he found a delicate balance that resonated with his evolving aspirations.

The dream of becoming a doctor continued to wane, but his love for science intensified.

A love that flourished in the world of biology, chemistry, and environmental science.

In the pursuit of knowledge, Nishal delved into various domains, gaining insights into Shopify, manufacturing, design, and the art of prototyping, as well as the dynamics of marketing and sales.

He was starting to connect the dots.

"I learnt about e-commerce and how to market it and sell it."

Although Nishal still maintained a connection with Tesla, identifying a niche in the market.

Observing the absence of a coat hook in the high-end cars, he embarked on a side venture – EV Items.

He went from manufacturing coat hooks to expanding the line to 25 products.

“Sales and customer service are great because you're interacting with people all the time. You get concise with your language, and you learn how to master conveying a complex message in a simple form to a lot of people all at once.”

The business acumen developed through these experiences was complemented by the foundational principles instilled by his mentors in the scientific realm.

A potent combination.

It paved the way for something special. 

The company, the opportunity he’d been searching for all his life…

The Quest For a Remedy

While selling car accessories, Nishal yearned for a more significant challenge, one that resonated with the broader spectrum of human experiences.

In the summer of 2017, he began to dig deeper into a common dilemma familiar to many: the dreaded morning after.

This sparked the birth of a ground-breaking venture.

Despite his dedication to fitness, he realized that a night of celebration often left him feeling less than optimal the next morning.

“I'm an early riser. I love to work out in the morning so I want to wake up feeling my best. Even if you’re out celebrating or socializing on a Thursday night, Friday morning you want to do your best on the Grind.”

Determined to find a solution, he harnessed his background in science and embarked on a quest to uncover the root cause of these feelings of low energy.

Out of this personal struggle, No Days Wasted was born in 2018, a health supplement business designed to eliminate the aftermath of what Nishal refers to as "celebratory and aspirational moments."

The journey led him to explore toxin acetaldehyde, a by-product of alcohol breakdown that proved to be 20 times more toxic than alcohol itself.

Undeterred by the complexity of the problem, Nishal dove into research, experimenting on himself to discover natural ingredients that could enhance liver enzymes and counteract the effects of acetaldehyde.

"As an alumnus of UBC, I had access to all the academic papers offline for free. University taught me how to seek out literature, peer review papers – what’s there.

Rigorously tested during a 30-day backpacking expedition through Europe, the blend of DHM, L-Cysteine, Milk Thistle, and Prickly Pear proved to be a huge revelation.

The real adventure had begun.

But Nishal's quest for a remedy didn't stop there.

Recognizing the importance of hydration in mitigating the effects, he developed the Hydration Replenisher, a specialized blend enriched with essential vitamins and minerals to rapidly rehydrate the body and bolster immune function.

The days of wasted mornings are now a thing of the past.

Getting the Word out There

One of Nishal’s biggest advantages is that he’s extremely social – he knew that he could get people together. A strength harnessed from those competitive basketball ball days.

He leveraged this as a cornerstone for his company's inception.

In an era before storytelling became mainstream marketing, Nishal and his team crafted compelling videos, sharing their vision and mission with the world.

They mobilized their networks, promoting their campaign far and wide, from group chats to social media platforms.

Despite a setback on Kickstarter, where the platform's policies clashed with supplement promotion, they persevered and launched on Indiegogo, building a substantial customer base.

“We launched on Indiegogo trying to recoup – ran it for 45 days, did $30k in sales – had a big customer base – 600-700 people – an email list to start and enough funding to do our first production run.”

But it was a chance encounter with Paul Bissonnette, a prominent figure in the hockey community, that proved to be a game-changer.

Bissonnette's endorsement and support helped No Days Wasted reach new heights, tapping into his extensive audience and amplifying their message.

“Luckily, he called me two days later saying this stuff’s amazing and  I wanna work together – I’m just joining this podcast – let’s promote it on there. He helped us build our community. They’re foundational in our success – his audience.”

He says he’s lucky – but if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Nishal put himself out there, asking those questions – developing those relationships.

He created his own luck.

Remember: All it takes is one conversation to unlock all the doors.

But even with momentum on his side, the seeds of doubt, the questions of “Can I make it?” started to creep in. 

It was time to search within.

A Shift in Perspective

As No Days Wasted ventured into the realm of scaling beyond the $1 million mark, Nishal faced a critical juncture – a point where the question of scalability loomed large.

He grappled with the fundamental question: Is this the right path to pursue?

Can I take this company to the masses?

This is commonplace in the direct to consumer industry and this is where most give up.

The challenge was not just about achieving financial milestones but fundamentally transforming the brand's identity and resonance with a broader audience.

“There’s a point – you get past $1m a year, before getting to the 8 figure mark – has this thing got the opportunity to scale? That’s when you talk to the bigger retailers.”

I wanted to know behind the scenes, at that time exactly, what was going through his mind?

“We needed to fine-tune our products – we re-formulated our hydration products – changed the flavour profile to be more palatable. Those first few years are so important – you learn from your mistakes. You then iterate and improve – for NDW, the dynamic had to shift.”

A pivotal question emerged – how could No Days Wasted provide the most value to everyone it touched?

The answer lay in a profound shift in perspective – the epiphany that time, not material possessions, was the most valuable asset.

Then he realized: No Days Wasted is not just about overcoming tiredness; it's about reclaiming time, enabling people to celebrate life without the burden of downtime.

“How do we give people more time? This became the question. What’s our most valuable asset – not the lambo – time. NDW is here to give you more time.”

Aligned with this philosophy, NDW centred its messaging around the four pillars again: 

1) Recovery, 

2) Immune support, 

3) Hydration, 

4) Sleep.

The evolution encompassed a shift in packaging, and adopting a fruit-forward approach that reverberated with authenticity.

“It’s like ‘hey we’re real people, making these products for you cos they help us and we can help you too'. Instead of throwing out supplements so we can get rich and I can buy that fancy car.”

A narrative that conveys a sense of shared humanity.

The power is in the people. The real movement had begun.

The Moment

The essence of a brand's success, especially in the consumer space, lies in the approval and satisfaction of those it serves.

In the midst of Nishal’s journey, a profound moment unfolded with the reception of the first set of reviews.

These testimonials represented a tangible affirmation from customers who experienced the positive impact of No Days Wasted.

A chorus of voices sharing stories of transformative experiences.

“The first set of reviews – people saying hey I was able to go on this trip and really able to maximise it – the feedback we received. It’s the affirmation you get from your customers.”

This affirmation held a deeper significance than mere validation. It was the acknowledgment that the products crafted were making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

“Knowing that what you are doing is providing value to other people. In some ways, in the consumer space, you’re seeking a lot of approval – it’s your driver of success. Seeing this early was one of the bigger moments.”

Your community, your champions, is what your brand is all about.

Future (of Self and Brand)

In the pursuit of reaching ambitious milestones and potentially considering an exit, the question arises: what transformation must Nishal undergo personally to propel No Days Wasted towards the next level?

The quest prompts introspection into the person he must become.

To navigate the path to substantial goals, he recognizes the imperative to evolve into the person who not only envisions but has lived the life.

The roadmap includes a deliberate effort to diversify experiences, broaden perspectives, and transform into a leader seasoned by a spectrum of challenges.

"I need to keep exploring – change things up a bit, evolve into the person who has been there and done that – I need to continue to improve my leadership skills, bring in people who have skills I do not have. I need to take more calculated risks.

An essential facet of this transformation involves fostering a team equipped with diverse talents.

The recognition that calculated risks, though challenging, are essential for growth forms a key element.

"The important thing is to continue to stay true to your work ethic and the methods you set out, continuously work on yourself and your business – be the leader who people feel comfortable around. Bring in smart people who have been there and done it."

Reinventing the wheel isn't always necessary.

It's about creating an environment where innovation thrives, where calculated risks are taken, and where the pursuit of excellence is not just constant, but celebrated.

Learn from others and when you can pay to bring someone on board who has already won the olympic gold in their field, do it. The time you will save and the experience and insights you will receive is priceless.

A Closing Message

In a world dominated by social media and comparison, Nishal advocates for running your own race, understanding that the only environment that truly matters is the one within.

In the midst of life’s inevitable challenges and dark moments, it’s crucial to hold onto a powerful truth – the reflection staring back at you in the mirror defines who you are, not the criticisms or feedback from others.

In Nishal’s words: “You know what you stand for. You just have to look deep. Stay true – home in on who you are – what makes you special.”

You have to force your way into the 1%.

No one is gonna believe in you for you.

Top 5 Takeaways:

1) Power of Sport: As humans sport teaches us invaluable lessons about life, far beyond any classroom. When you’re in the arena competing you find out who you really are. Take inspiration from your favourite team, your favourite sport and apply that drive to your professional endeavours. Have the competitive edge.

2) You do You: I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Just because you’ve taken a different path to most doesn’t mean you can’t be in the top 1%. Your past, your experiences in other walks of life serve as your biggest competitive advantage. Don’t hide away from them - lean into them and let your true self shine in a world of sheep who are trying desperately to conform with the hope of pleasing others.

3) Teachers: Whilst I often look down upon formal education because I believe not many of the idealistic concepts apply in the real world of business, Nishal shows the impact teachers and the academic realm can have. There’s a huge difference between someone who knows a subject and someone who can teach it. Education is the best gift we can give to the next generation and it comes in all shapes and sizes.

4) Sunk Cost Fallacy: Quitting is often associated with a loser mentality although sometimes pivoting can be the best choice for a brighter future. Your mind will pay tricks on you when you’ve invested heavily into something - especially when there’s deep emotional connection. But step out, speak to others and realize you might have to let go of your past judgements to get to the next level.

5) Responsibility of Self: Businesses are reflections of the people inside them - personal lives and work are not separate. Meaning to get to the next level (especially if you’re the leader) you must accept the burden lies with you to transform yourself. Instead of trying to hire the best in class first be the best class in class and you’ll naturally attract A-Players toward you.

Take inspiration from Nishal's extraordinary journey, where he seamlessly moulded his passion, childhood challenges, and innate talent into a monumental achievement.

This is your call to dream like a giant.

But fight and believe in those dreams like a god damn underdog baby!

Yours truly,

-Nigel Thomas

Click here to listen to more behind the scenes with Nishal on The David to Goliath Podcast including the complicated relationship with his father.