From IRS Officer to Plant-Based Pioneer: Abhishek Sinha's Journey to Finding—and Fighting For—His Calling
Ex-IRS officer Abhishek Sinha left a secure career for a risky venture driven by compassion. Discover his journey & the power of finding your "why."
What happens when the path laid out for you feels fundamentally misaligned with your inner compass? For Abhishek Sinha, Co-founder & CEO of GoodDot, it meant leaving the prestigious Indian Revenue Service (IRS) to build a plant-based food empire driven by a deep sense of purpose and compassion.
His journey, shared candidly on the Inner Journeys podcast, wasn't just about a career change; it was a profound exploration of identity, purpose, and the courage required to follow an unconventional calling. It’s a masterclass in self-discovery, resilience, and building something meaningful against the odds.
Check out the video of the conversation here or read on for insights.
The Restless Learner: Adapting Through Constant Change
Abhishek's early life was defined by movement. Studying in five different cities—Patna, Calcutta, Orissa, Hyderabad, Chennai—instilled a unique adaptability. While initially exciting, the constant uprooting brought challenges.
"Every time from there on, it was a big challenge... trying to fit it into a new city, into a new student setup, new teachers... But eventually one would adapt... You find your ways through it. So that also was quite interesting because you learn a lot during those transitions."
This early lesson in navigating change proved foundational. He also learned a crucial insight about relationships.
"The stability of a relationship is not the time you spend. It's the connection you make, right? The comfort you have... even if you don't talk with some of your friends for, say, two or three years, but when you connect, you start from where you left off."
Questioning the 'Why': Seeds of Discontent
Despite adapting, Abhishek often felt disconnected from the conventional education system. He struggled with rote learning and authority when the purpose wasn't clear.
"If something is too abstract, I really can't get my head and heart in sync to really follow that... why I should be studying this... unless I really understand if there is a merit in why I'm asked to do something."
This questioning spirit persisted. Even acing his 10th boards (coming first in his school, which he attributes partly to "pure luck") or scoring 93% in his 12th PCM exams didn't quell the underlying search for meaning. He did just enough to get by, often studying only at the last minute, lacking genuine motivation beyond passing the next hurdle. His disinterest was so profound that he once skipped school for a month and a half in 10th grade, bribing his mother by offering to do household chores instead!
The Spark ✨: Animals, Spirituality, and Finding Flow
Two forces began shaping his inner world more significantly: animals and spirituality. An early encounter feeding cows in Calcutta broke down his fear of large animals and sparked a lifelong connection. Today, he personally feeds around 100 street animals daily (part of 100-150 fed by his efforts) and cares for three dogs (one rescue) and three rescue goats at his factory.
Simultaneously, a search for deeper answers led him to explore spiritual philosophies and even consider joining the ISKCON monastic order during college.
"I was on the verge of joining the ISKCON order, leaving everything behind. But eventually, you know, realized that spirituality has to be internal. You cannot repose your spirituality on any external institution."
He came to define spirituality as something deeply personal, often found in moments of complete immersion or 'flow'.
"Spirituality is basically dissolving your identity into the moment... For me, when I feed animals... I feel just time has stopped or time has gone by very fast. So you become one with that moment... you forget your identity."
Actionable Advice: Pay attention to those moments where you lose yourself. What activities make time disappear? These "sparks," as Abhishek calls them, are clues to your unique frequency and passion. Notice them, nurture them, and they can grow into a guiding flame. 🔥
The IRS Years: Gaining Confidence, Losing Illusions
Joining the IRS in 2010 after clearing the Civil Services exam twice provided unexpected lessons. Interacting with powerful business leaders and prominent figures on equal footing demystified their aura.
"These are the guys who leave their aura outside your cabin... when you see them in their human self, you know that, okay, these are also normal guys who have really worked hard, are talented, and are lucky. For me, IRS broke all the ceilings of where I can potentially go."
Working for five or six years in Udaipur gave him confidence but didn't extinguish the desire to pursue his passion for animal welfare, a seed sown during his engineering days exploring tissue-cultured meat research.
The Leap 🚀: "Go Fly, Because I Too Flew"
The decision to leave the IRS wasn't impulsive. Abhishek had discussed the possibility with his wife even before getting the job. The desire to work towards animal welfare, possibly through biochemical engineering research or, failing that, by creating an alternative path, was always present.
The catalyst was a combination of factors: the impending birth of his son, years spent developing a plant-based meat prototype with his brother and sister while still in service, and a powerful realization inspired by a TED talk.
"What the second person [who took the leap] will say? He looked the kid in the eye and said, ‘Beta, go fly because I, too, flew'. Even before my son came, I was responsible towards him. This is what I want to do."
He calculated the risk. His worst-case scenario involved leveraging his civil services background to join a coaching center, ensuring he could cover his family's basic needs with a salary perhaps similar to the one to one-and-a-half lakh rupees he was leaving behind. The real opportunity cost felt higher if he didn't pursue his calling.
"If I don't jump and do this... If I'm so convinced... And there's a need of billions of sentient beings... If I don't do this, who's going to do it? So... It was a very easy decision."
Crucially, his wife's unwavering support made the leap possible.
Building GoodDot: Compassion Meets Commerce 💡
GoodDot isn't just a business; it's the manifestation of Abhishek's "why." But passion alone doesn't sell products. The strategy had to be practical: compete head-on with animal meat on taste and, critically, price.
"Our effort was right from the beginning to develop a product which is more affordable than animal proteins. A [plant-based] Keema Pao is ₹20. Normally a mutton keema pao will be ₹100. A chicken will be ₹60-70 maybe. So that is our strategy."
This aggressive pricing, combined with a unique distribution partnership, allowed GoodDot to reach 12,000-14,000 stores across India, including remote villages in Nagaland, Manipur, and Bihar – places typically untouched by new food tech brands. They achieved this broad reach by training a team of 20-30 chefs and managers who, in turn, trained thousands of local resellers.
Despite this scale and being India's leading plant-based meat company (also exporting to Dubai, Australia, etc.), GoodDot has achieved this with remarkable capital efficiency, having raised just $7 million in funding to date.
Life Philosophy: Churning, Connecting, and Preparing for the End
Abhishek’s journey underscores profound philosophical takeaways relevant to any builder or seeker:
Embrace the Churn: Like the mythical Samudra Manthan, self-reflection involves confronting difficulties ("Vish" or poison) to eventually uncover your unique truth ("Amrit" or nectar). Don't fear the internal struggle.
Value Failure: "I think failure is much more valuable [than success]," he states simply. It's a critical part of the learning and churning process.
Connect Beyond Silos: Break free from narrow definitions imposed by careers, institutions, or media. Connect with nature, spirituality, astronomy – the vast world beyond your immediate concerns.
Live Adventurously: Inspired by explorers like Columbus who sailed into the unknown, Abhishek sees life itself as an adventure, particularly when viewed through the lens of mortality.
"Life is nothing but preparation for death. If that is the pole star of our life, you should develop that adventurous mindset. Start lifting 1 and 2 kg dumbbell[s]. Start following your voice."
By confronting the ultimate unknown, we gain the courage to face smaller unknowns and live more authentically. It’s about recognizing the finite nature of our time and choosing to spend it fighting the "wars worth fighting," even if winning isn't guaranteed.
Abhishek’s story is a powerful reminder that the most rewarding journeys often lie off the beaten path, demanding courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to relentlessly pursue your unique calling.
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