The Underdog Protagonist

Hosted by Pratyush PK

Business Arts Design Education

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Latest episode

Sep 2025

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EN-US

About the show

The Underdog Protagonist is a podcast for the ones who are currently in the hustle period of their life. They are in the process of doing something big. But they are currently the side characters of a movie. This podcast is their voice, which speaks about the hardships which not all are aware of. The ones who are at the epitome of their success get to share their story. But what about us underdogs? The achievements we have made aren't small either. This podcast is to share our story. Let's be the protagonist of our story. Let's not settle being the side character anymore.

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48 recent

September 9, 2025Episode 551 min

Ep. 03 - Raj Khedun From Burnout to Balance: The Mental Side of Fitness

Send us Fan MailIn a world obsessed with hustle and burnout, Raj Khedun is here to remind us that real wellness starts with your breath.Raj is the Managing Director of Keep Fit Kingdom, a health and wellness brand with a mission to help a billion people live to 100. He’s also the creator of the 3:3 Metaverse Breathing Method, a powerful yet simple technique that reduces stress, heals insomnia, and helps you reclaim control of your body with no meds & no noise.We talk about the real cost of ignoring your mental health, how to reset your nervous system in minutes, and why fitness is less about reps and more about rhythm.If you’re tired of being tired, overwhelmed by wellness advice, or just need to breathe better, this one’s for you.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Buy me a CoffeeSupport the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

August 16, 2025Episode 41 hr 10 min

Ep. 04 - What Trauma Teaches Us (If We’re Willing to Listen) with Jamie Hughes

Send us Fan MailJamie Hughes is a social psychologist, certified therapeutic writing instructor, and the author of several mental health books but his real gift lies in helping people feel seen in the middle of their storms. In this episode, we talk about trauma, self-care that actually works, managing anxiety and ADHD, and what resilience really looks like when it’s not performative.Whether you’re trying to heal, support someone else, or just feel less alone in the process, this conversation gives you more than hope. It gives you tools.Connect with Jamie: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramAbout Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Buy me a CoffeeSupport the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

July 31, 2025Episode 355 min

Ep. 03 - The 3-Step System for Mind Clearing, Prosperity & Healing with Dr. Alain Salas

Send us Fan MailFeeling stuck in your career, health, or relationships even though you’re doing “everything right”?Dr. Alain Salas knows exactly what that’s like.A best-selling author, chiropractic physician, and the creator of the Mind Clearing System, Dr. Salas went from living the dream to total collapse, losing his business, his marriage, and even facing cancer.In this episode of The Underdog Protagonist, Alain opens up about the hidden mental scripts that run our lives, how he uncovered the patterns sabotaging his success, and the 3-step method that helped him reclaim health, love, and purpose.Whether you're a high-achiever secretly burning out or someone trying to heal deeply rooted self-doubt, this episode is a breakthrough moment waiting to happen.We cover:The real meaning of “limiting beliefs” and how to find yoursWhy strategy fails when your subconscious disagreesThe mind-body connection behind burnout, illness & self-sabotageHow to clear old patterns and attract aligned successDr. Salas has worked with over 4,000 clients across the US and Europe, and his insights are powerful for entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals looking to rewrite their story.About Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Buy me a CoffeeSupport the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

July 20, 2025Episode 230 min

Ep. 02 - From Diagnosis to TEDx: How Sam Mitchell is Flipping the Narrative on Autism

Send us Fan MailSam Mitchell doesn’t just talk about autism he lives it, owns it, and redefines what it means.As the host of Autism Rocks and Rolls, Sam has interviewed legends like Temple Grandin and Mick Foley. But his real impact is proving that success doesn’t come in spite of being different, it often comes because of it.In this episode, Sam joins host Pratyush to talk about breaking stigma, starting a business as a teenager, surviving internet pressure, and the truth about building confidence in a world that still doesn’t fully get neurodiversity.It’s raw. It’s uplifting. And it’s the reminder you didn’t know you needed: You’re not behind. You’re just different. And different might be your superpower.Tune in to hear:What inspired Sam’s award-winning podcastThe biggest myth about autism he wants to destroyHow he’s built a brand, a business, and a movement before 21What schools, parents, and creators need to rethink nowConnect with Sam:Website | YouTube | PodcastAbout Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Buy me a CoffeeSupport the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

July 6, 2025Episode 11 hr 12 min

Ep. 01 - Mark Steven Porro on Becoming the Caregiver: What Happens When Life Hands You the Role You Never Rehearsed

Send us Fan MailMark Steven Porro never planned to move back home and become a full-time caregiver for his 89-year-old mother but when “the call” came, everything changed. In this heartfelt episode, Mark shares his honest, humorous, and award-winning journey of role reversal, writing his debut memoir A Cup of Tea on the Commode, and what caregiving taught him about trust, legacy, and unconditional love.A must-listen for anyone walking with aging parents, grandparents or carrying stories they’re still figuring out how to tell.Connect with Mark:Book | Website | YouTube | FacebookAbout Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Buy me a CoffeeSupport the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

June 22, 2025Episode 253 min

Ep. 25 - From the Underdog to the Legacy Builder: What’s Next?

Send us Fan MailSeason 2 of The Underdog Protagonist comes to a close. 24 episodes of honesty, uncertainty, growth, and showing up through the messy middle.In this finale, Pratyush reflects on what this season really meant, why some dreams go quiet but never die, and what’s coming next.🎙 What’s ahead in Season 3:A shift from solo episodes to real conversations.Guests who are still building, quietly, powerfully, authentically.Unfiltered stories from people who remember what it means to be an underdog.Season 3 will bring stronger uploads, deeper insights, and more impact without losing the raw spirit that made this podcast what it is.If you’ve been here through Season 2, thank you. If you’re just joining in, you’re right on time.Catch up on past episodes now, and subscribe to get notified when Season 3 drops. Follow us on social media for sneak peeks + guest reveals.]Support the Cause: Buy Me a CoffeeConnect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeSupport the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

June 15, 2025Episode 2433 min

Ep. 24 - In The Feed: What's The Real ROI of Rebranding?

Send us Fan MailThe last year has been the year of rebrands. From global giants like Pepsi, Jaguar, and PayPal to design-savvy shifts from SanDisk, Miro, and Sprite. But not all makeovers are created equal. In this deep-dive episode, we unpack the brands that nailed it, the ones that sparked backlash, and the hidden messages behind every pixel change.We go inside the pitch room, break down the meme economy of rebrands, and explore what aesthetic shifts are really telling your customers and your investors. Have they truly gone from memes to making millions?This isn’t just about logos. It’s about positioning, perception, and why “safe” is sometimes the riskiest move in a noisy market.If you’re a designer, strategist, founder, or creator trying to make sense of 2025’s branding chaos, this episode is your blueprint for clarity.Transcript:00:00 A glance into the past year02:17 The rebrands that popped08: 45 The controversy bait14:40 Rebrands that felt flat18:55 Toolkit to make it pop20:35 Break22:17 What rebrands are really saying?23:03 Danger of playing too safe25:35 Visual landscape of 202527:22 Truth about pitching designs to a founder28:35 What rebrands actually do?29:57 The meme economy31:02 The work beneath the surface31:58 ConclusionAbout Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Support the Cause: Buy Me a CoffeeConnect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Support the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

June 8, 2025Episode 2310 min

Ep. 23 - In The Feed: What the Rise of ‘Founders as Creators’ Means for Actual Creators

Send us Fan MailEveryone’s a creator now, especially the people who never wanted to be. Founders, VCs, product managers... they’re all publishing, performing, and building personal brands in public.In this episode of In the Feed, Pratyush explores the strange, quiet shift where builders are now storytellers, and creators are being pushed behind the scenes.We ask:What happens when startup CEOs get better reach than full-time creators?Why does algorithmic attention reward status over originality?Where do actual creators fit in this new ecosystem?If you’ve felt invisible in a sea of polished founder content, this one’s for you. It’s not about resentment. It’s about reclaiming what creators do best: seeing things clearly, and telling the truth before it trends.Topics covered:The burnout loop between founders & creatorsGhostwriting culture and creative commodificationHow to own your POV in a performative worldBuilding depth when others are optimizing for reachThis episode is for: Creators. Freelancers. Designers. Storytellers. Anyone still building without the spotlight and trying to make it matter.About Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Support the Cause: Buy Me a CoffeeConnect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Support the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

June 1, 2025Episode 2211 min

Ep. 22 - Passion vs. Profit: What to Do When the Dream Isn’t Paying Yet?

Send us Fan MailWhat keeps a creator going when the money isn’t?In this solo episode, Pratyush takes you on a raw, vulnerable, and unfiltered journey into the reality of building when you're broke, not just financially, but emotionally and mentally too.This isn’t just a podcast episode. It’s a mirror, a reset, and a permission slip for every underdog who's still creating while silently surviving.In this audio experience, we explore:The emotional toll of creating with zero returnsThe shame around not monetizing your passionThe difference between passion and profitReal stories of quiet persistenceWhy creating while broke still mattersHow to reclaim your identity when the numbers don’t match the effortIf you’ve ever whispered “what’s the point?” while still pressing record, this episode is the answer you didn’t know you needed.About Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Support the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!

May 26, 2025Episode 2113 min

Ep. 21 - In the Feed: Here’s How the Metrics Are Lying - And the Real Reason You Think You’re Not Growing

Send us Fan MailWe live in an era obsessed with numbers - reach, likes, followers, engagement rates. But what happens when you’re doing everything right… and the metrics still don’t move?In this episode of In The Feed, we explore a question creators rarely ask out loud: If growth isn’t visible… is it still real? Host Pratyush peels back the illusion of "growth equals visibility" and invites you into a quieter, more powerful narrative. One where growth is defined by alignment, clarity, and inner evolution, not just dashboards.If you've ever doubted your progress because it didn’t trend, if you've burned out trying to perform “success” online, or if you’re ready to reclaim your definition of winning, this is your space.Featuring reflections on emotional resilience, creative identity, hidden growth signals, and a quiet dare that might just shift how you show up forever.If you’ve been showing up but still feel unseen, this one’s for you. Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:27 The Episode That Changed a Life02:45 The Realest Metric of All03:37 Why We Obsess Over Numbers04:28 Expression vs. Impression: The Metrics Trap05:15 Creators Who Win Quietly06:08 The Moment You Stop Posting for Proof06:30 Rethinking Growth07:53 5 Real Growth Metrics That Algorithms Can’t Track09:33 Felt Metrics vs. Feed Metrics09:59 The Truth About Consistency and Creativity10:23 The Quiet Win That No One Saw (But Changed Everything)10:46 A Radical Suggestion11:28 The Final Reframe11:44 The Quiet Dare12:18 OutroAbout Pk:Pratyush has been a designer for more than 6 years. He started creating content to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He is in a journey to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.Connect with Pk: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeIf you are liking the show, please share it along! Its free.Support the show to help us keep creating awesome content.Support the showTo connect DM me here: https://www.instagram.com/pratyushkumar_pk/Will be waiting to talk to you.Cheers!