WHAT IS FORTITUDE FOREVER?

What is Fortitude Forever? – I keep thinking about it.

I have realized that it’s for sure “a path for me”. A path that unfolds as I create it, as those in need engage with it, and as we witness its impact together. I also see it as “a space for me”. A space that enriches as I share honestly in it, as those on a similar path as me feel belonged in it, and as we provide the mic to those who have hard-won the wisdom to inspire us all.

Only through this ongoing process—the content, the connections, and the change it inspires—will its true essence be revealed.

This page is meant to give you my latest thinking about where Fortitude Forever has been and where it’s headed.

And since you’re here, I take the liberty to declare that we have built a connection between us, so you hold the responsibility to tell me what does Fortitude Forever mean to you? I have left a simple google form for you to leave a comment for me, and also my contact details if you want to get in touch.

What’s there in this interestingly long post?

• What is Fortitude Forever, currently?

• How has Fortitude Forever evolved?

• How has Fortitude Forever stayed the same?

• Where is Fortitude Forever going?

• Reader Feedback Request & My Contact Details

• Who: I am Suyash.

• When: Fortitude Forever was started with the current name and purpose from April 2024 – Today. But a different name and the foundational purpose has existed since April 2016.

• Where, right now: I am based out of India, and Fortitude Forever has a small but global reach, mostly limited to people who know me either personally or have resonated with the initial (embarrasingly less number of) insights I have shared.

• Where, in near future: Fortitude Forever’s reach is bound to grow and the connections I make will deepen as I focus and apply myself fully on this journey.

• Why: Fortitude Forever exists to inspire in you, the courage and purpose to fight your fate and build the life you deserve.

• What: Fortitude Forever exists in multiple forms –

  • a book where I have narrated a significant part of my life (a memoir) and a handful (12, to be specific) of lessons for those thinking of giving up; 

  • a long-form podcast where courageous guests reflect on the depth and gravity of their experiences to share profound insights;

  • a series of videos where I, alone, continue to share insights by reflecting on my own journey and through explicit learning from diverse sources,

  • plenty of short-form content that give you the flavor of it all, on the fly.

Fortitude Forever was actually born as “Awesome Life Geek”, back in 2016 when I had an existential and identity crisis after failing miserably for the first time in my life. I have written about it, the events leading up to it, the four year of battle after it and finally the 4 minute 33 seconds phone call which I consider the greatest achievement of my life. However, shortly after the win, I went through a heart-wrenching loss that brought me to an even lower point of my life.

I was at square one again or even worse. I used to feel overwhelmed every day. I sat down one day in late 2020, with a strong urge to end my life, but instead, I picked up a pen and paper. I divided the paper with a margin in the middle. On the left side, I wrote “D” for “What f I choose to Die,” and on the right, I wrote “L” for “What if I choose to Live.” I listed 4-5 things that mattered the most to me in life. Under “D” for each of them , I wrote, “Will definitely fail at this and it will have no chance of eve turning into a positive thing”. One the right side under “L”, I wrote, “There is just a 1% chance maybe of this thing actually working out in my favor”.

As I looked at the page, it became clear: If I give up, I will 100% fail at everything that matters to me, but if I choose to live and fight with all I have, there’s a 1% chance I can turn my life around. I cried and made a decision in that moment: I would chase that 1% with everything I have.

Another 4 years of battle, with a singular focus: CHASE THAT 1% CHANCE.

I won at a couple of those things and lost in a few. The losses were again soul crushing. In 2024, when I again hit another rock bottom in life, I had the profound realization:

Since life kept throwing fights my way, one after another, I realized I didn’t have the option to feel broken. Expecting a specific outcome wasn’t serving me anymore. So I made a crucial decision: I would truly save myself. I would challenge my fate and stare it down instead of fearing it.

This determination to confront my identity head-on, without fear, became the core of my identity. Adopting this new identity gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I chose to become a warrior for life, not fixated on outcomes but committed to the battle itself.

This shift in understanding transformed me from someone obsessed with having an awesome life, hence an “Awesome Life Geek” into a person who truly is committed to fighting as a warrior, hence embodies “Fortitude Forever”.

How has Fortitude Forever stayed the same?

While Awesome Life Geek was an all-encompassing holistic pursuit of building a fulfilling life, Fortitude Forever is about dealing with adversities head-on and is focused on nurturing courage and instilling the warrior mindset. However, it is still the same while:

• Honoring Life’s Complexity: Fortitude Forever continues to respect the idiosyncratic and multi-layered nature of real-life challenges, acknowledging that each journey is unique and deeply personal.

• Committing to Authenticity: It remains rooted in honesty and authenticity, valuing genuine reflection over polished perfection.

• Building Beyond Trends: Fortitude Forever isn’t about following trends or quick fixes. Its purpose is to provide a truly valuable, lasting resource that empowers individuals in their own journeys.

I believe that by sticking to the core values, the more work I will put into this, the connections I make will deepen. I am continually striving for more discipline in my life, which will in turn allow me to apply myself on this journey more, and then the reach is bound to grow.

With this growth, more inspiring and diverse voices will find a platform here to share their incredible journeys, and more warriors—those who face life’s challenges with courage—will feel a sense of belonging in this space. And I also envision it to:

• Grow from virtual podcast session to studio sessions.

• Grow from being recognized in a small circle of audience who know me personally to become a mainstream content option so that whoever needs it, already knows about it, and can opt to listen to it.

• Grow from speaking at events to hosting our own immersive retreats.

• Grow from having zero collaborations to having partnerships with like-minded platforms and brands.

Each of these possibilities allows Fortitude Forever to evolve organically into something more meaningful, broaden its influence and create a lasting legacy.

I’d love to know what Fortitude Forever means to you.

You are far more than an audience—you are a co-creator of this journey, your engagement acts as a catalyst for growth, driving this mission forward and expanding its impact.

As a fellow warrior, you bring your own strength to the collective story, adding depth and dimension. You are a living legacy, carrying the ideas and values of Fortitude Forever into your own life and community, creating a lasting ripple effect.

In sharing your personal stories and perspectives, you become a source of inspiration, fueling future conversations and helping this space evolve into an even more powerful community.

So I request you to add your comment/thought/text to this simple google form.

Also, my contact details are available below if you’d like to connect directly.

Email: contact@fortitudeforever.com

Instagram: @fortitudeforeverpodcast