Raj Shamani

Hi, I’m Raj.

​Some people meditate for peace, I ask questions. 
Basically, my work is to meet the smartest people and get into their minds. Not literally. 

I talk to them to learn from their expertise, their choices, and their life. And I take my viewers along for the ride.

For me, figuring out money, business, health, relationships, and life was so confusing in the beginning, and I’m sure so many others face the same problem. 

But it gets a little bit easier when you have the right people sharing their lessons (and occasional disasters).

When I’m not doing that, I’m hanging out with my dog, Crypto, who, unlike the real crypto, never disappoints me. 

Stick around to find out more about my experiences while doing all this.

Founder

The President of the French Republic, H.E. Emmanuel Macron, was on Figuring Out. 

It was an honour to host him.

But beyond the honour, we see this as a responsibility. 

Because when someone like President Macron chooses to have a conversation with us, it becomes an opportunity to talk about India on a global stage. 

What we're getting right. 
Where we're struggling. 
What the world needs to understand about us.

"The question is no longer whether India innovates. The question is who will innovate with India."

That's what the French President had to say about India. 

The world's posture towards India has changed. 
We're not the market they want to sell to anymore. 
We're the partner they want to build with.

We talked about UPI, Aadhaar, and the way India leapfrogged legacy systems that other countries are still stuck with.

President Macron was surprisingly honest about where France went wrong. 

A country that invented cinema, photography, and the hot air balloon and yet today, the largest tech companies in the world are either American or Chinese. 

He admitted it openly. He said Europe's problem wasn't ideas, it was scale, capital, and appetite for risk. Three things. All three missing.

And then we talked about leadership. About respect. About what happens when private conversations between presidents end up on social media. 

These are the kind of conversations we always hoped this platform could have. 

And thanks to all of you who watch us, your belief in what we're building, your support, Figuring Out is able to host such guests. 

Full episode out now. Link in the comments. 

#rajshamani #figuringout

Founder & Host @ Figuring Out | Building Cüraa by YFL Home | Bestselling Author, Build Don’t Talk

Do you rely on your mood to be productive at work?

Tell me in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

About 10 years ago, I went outside the country for the first time. 

And like all Indian mothers, my mom was like, I’m packing food, take it. 

I said no, of course. Naive confidence. 
“I’ll get food there. Don’t worry.”

She packed mithi koki in my bag anyway. Without telling me. 
(koki is a sindhi sweet flatbread)

I was in Vienna, a small town in Austria in Europe.  And as an Indian vegetarian, I could not find any vegetarian restaurant that would match my budget. 

For 2 days, I struggled a lot with food.  And I called my mom and started ranting about it.

My mom just said check that bag. 
It’s an understatement to say I was on cloud nine. 

Since then, every time I’ve stepped out of the country, koki has come with me. A piece of home that travels with me.

We have reached the point where my mom makes gluten-free, protein-rich koki now. 

I’ve been travelling for work for the past month. Still not done.

I was eating koki today in yet another hotel room, and I realised how moms just know things.  

She knows what you’ll need before you even know you’re going to need it. And somehow, even after all these years, she keeps being right.

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you think that people choose comfort above everything else?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you treat your goals with urgency?

Tell me in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you think people are afraid of failure because they lack self-confidence?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you think doing too many things kills focus?

Tell me your thoughts in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you think multitasking kills focus?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

Only 6% of GenZ want to become leaders.

"They want everything, but they don't want to work for anything."

That's what majority of leaders believe in.

And I believe it is absolutely wrong, not just wrong. It's current leadership’s problem.

Old leaders don’t understand our generation and the model they built is failing.


Wrote about it in detail on Substack. 
Here's the link: https://bit.ly/4quXp0i 

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you feel people waste a lot of time waiting to "feel ready"?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

Your thoughts can make you sick. And your thoughts can make you better.

There's actual science behind it, how chronic stress rewires your brain, how fear keeps your body in a state that breaks it down over time, how the same mind that creates anxiety can be trained to create healing.

The man who's spent years studying this is Dr Joe Dispenza.

He's collected brain scans, heart data, and case studies from thousands of people who've attended his retreats. 

The stories that come out of his work sound almost unbelievable, people getting cured of conditions that had been stuck for years. 

Whether you're sceptical or convinced, the sheer volume of what he's collected over three decades is hard to ignore.

I've always been interested in understanding how the mind works. How can someone train their brain? How do the ultra achievers think?

And Dr Joe has spent his life answering these questions. So having him on Figuring Out felt personal. 

We talked for over three hours about how to deal with negative thoughts, why most people fail to change, why meditation works the same way psychedelics do, transformation stories that are genuinely hard to believe, and how the top performers in the world train their minds.

Full episode out now. Link in comments.

#rajshamani #figuringout

Do you think you might be addicted to your phone?

Tell me in the comments!

#rajshamani #figuringout

India is the diabetes capital of the world.

And most people who are heading there don’t even know it yet.

Because it doesn’t start with sugar.

It starts with insulin resistance.

A silent metabolic breakdown where your body slowly stops responding to insulin properly long before diabetes ever shows up on a report.

In this episode, Karan Sarin, author of Sick Nation, explains why India is facing a metabolic epidemic.

He breaks down:

– Why BMI is a useless marker
– Why “thin” people can still be fat inside 
– Why Indians store fat faster than others
– Why PCOS is often metabolic, not just hormonal
– How erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign
– And why dementia might be the next big crisis linked to insulin resistance

He also talks about how your body doesn’t actually need carbohydrates.

But our entire diet is built on them.

And once metabolism is damaged, even fruit isn’t automatically “healthy.”

Link to the full conversation is in the comments.

#rajshamani #figuringout

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Most finance candidates don’t fail exams because they are lazy. They fail because they never truly understand finance.

Over the last decade, I have mentored 10,000+ candidates across CFA, FRM and SCR, helping them convert dense curriculum into practical understanding.

Before founding 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, I worked with institutions such as Nomura, Morgan Stanley and Kotak, gaining real exposure to markets, risk and decision-making.

What defines my approach:
• 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
• 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴
• 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐏 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐑𝐌® 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐂𝐑®.

We independently support candidates pursuing CFA® and CAIA®, with no affiliation to the respective institutes.

If you want to think like a finance professional, not just clear an exam, you are in the right place.

Ganesh Nayak

On 23rd Feb at Trident, BKC, I had the pleasure of having a truly engaging discussion with Nick Pollard.

We explored some compelling themes:

The pace at which AI is reshaping industries
Expanding market & career opportunities
The continued growth of the alternative investment industry
How the CAIA Association is helping students prepare for roles in 
alternative markets

What stood out was the conversation around how specialised knowledge, particularly in alternatives, is becoming increasingly valuable as the industry evolves.

We also touched on important realities:

Navigating market uncertainty
Adapting to rapid technological shifts
Bridging the skills gap in a changing job landscape
Understanding emerging risks and complexities in alternative investments

Conversations like these are a reminder of how much there is to learn, adapt to, and look forward to.

A sincere thank you to Nick Pollard for sharing such thoughtful insights and perspectives. 
Truly appreciated.

Looking forward to more exchanges like this.

#CAIA #Innovation #AI

Ganesh Nayak, FRM®, SCR®

Unlocking Finance: Specializing in CFA & FRM Exam Prep • Founder: Fintelligents • 10,000+ Students Mentored • Ex Nomura • Ex Morgan Stanley • Ex Kotak

📛📛 Stop preparing for CFA like a college exam.

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see every year.
Most students are still using school and college strategies for a professional certification.

And that doesn’t work.

Here’s how many students prepare:
→ Passively watching lectures
→ Highlighting books
→ Studying only “important” topics
→ Skipping difficult chapters
→ Revising only 2–3 subjects properly

This might work in college.

It will not work in CFA.

CFA is not a memory-based exam.

It is a discipline-based exam.

Anything can be tested from any line of the curriculum.

And more importantly —
This exam is preparing you for the professional world.
In the corporate world, you cannot say:
“I skipped that topic because it was difficult.”
If a concept feels hard,
that is exactly the one you should spend more time on.

Go through it 3–4 times.
Solve questions.
Come back after a few days and revise again.
Selective studying is the biggest reason why capable students fail.
Stop preparing like a college student.
Start preparing like a professional.

Comment below:
Are you preparing like a student or like a future finance professional?
Ready to elevate your CFA | FRM | FP&A | SCR | ESG | CAIA journey? 

Fintelligents and me are just a tap away 💡

I help people build a career in Finance. Book a Call now. 📞
https://lnkd.in/dhX5KC2H

Stop calling yourself “Future Investment Banker” after watching 5 YouTube videos.

I see this very often.

Someone watches a few valuation videos, learns what EBITDA means, and suddenly their LinkedIn headline becomes:

“Future Investment Banker"

Investment banking is not a title you declare.

It is a path you prepare for.

Let’s be clear.

If you are serious about IB, ask yourself:

→ Have you built a 3-statement model from scratch?
→ Do you understand working capital adjustments?
→ Can you explain enterprise value vs equity value clearly?
→ Have you prepared technical interview questions?
→ Have you done at least 1 finance internship?

If the answer is no to most of these,

You are interested in IB.

You are not preparing for IB.

There is a difference.

Interest is passive.

Preparation is structured.

From today onwards,

Don’t chase titles.

Build capability.

Then the title will follow.

Ready to elevate your CFA | FRM | FP&A | SCR | ESG | CAIA journey? Fintelligents and I are just a tap away. 

I help people build a career in finance. Book a call now. 📞
https://lnkd.in/dhX5KC2H

📛📛 Stop writing “Finance Enthusiast” on your LinkedIn profile.

Yes, I am saying this very clearly.

If you are serious about building a career in finance, your headline should 
not look like a hobby description.

“Finance Enthusiast” sounds like:
→ Someone who likes watching stock market reels
 → Someone who reads random finance posts
 → Someone who is still exploring

Recruiters don’t hire enthusiasm.

They hire clarity.

So what should you write instead?

It depends on your stage.
✅ CFA Level 1 Candidate
✅ FRM Level 1 Candidate
✅ Investment Banking Aspirant
✅ Equity Research Trainee
✅ FP&A Analyst (if working)
✅ Passed CFA Level 1 Exam

Be specific.
Clarity signals seriousness.

Your LinkedIn headline is positioning.
If you don’t define your professional identity, the market will assume you are still confused.
And confusion does not attract opportunities.

Ask yourself:
Are you just interested in finance?
Or are you building a career in finance?

There is a big difference.

From today onwards —
No more vague titles.
Be intentional.
Be clear.
Be professional.

Ready to elevate your CFA | FRM | FP&A | SCR | ESG | CAIA journey? Fintelligents and me are just a tap away 💡

I help people build a career in Finance. Book a Call now. 📞 https://lnkd.in/dhX5KC2H

CFA vs FRM – Who should actually choose what?

This is one of the most common questions I get from students.

And most people are confused because they compare the syllabus instead of the career direction.

Let’s simplify this.

Don’t choose based on hype.

Choose based on where you want to go.

✅ Choose CFA if:

→ You want core finance roles
→ You are targeting Equity Research
→ You want Investment Banking
→ You want Portfolio Management
→ You are interested in valuation, financial analysis, and corporate finance

CFA is broad.

It builds strong foundations in every major area of finance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ Choose FRM if:

→ You are interested in Risk Management
→ You want to work in Market Risk / Credit Risk
→ You like quantitative and analytical roles
→ You are targeting roles in banks’ risk departments
→ You want strong exposure to derivatives and risk frameworks

FRM is specialised.

It goes deep into risk concepts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
▪️ Want to enter Investment Banking?
CFA has stronger alignment.

▪️ Want to enter Treasury or Risk roles?
FRM has stronger alignment.

▪️ Want to build long-term credibility in asset management?
CFA is globally recognised in that space.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you do both?

Yes.

But don’t do both just to collect certifications.

Do it only if your career path genuinely demands both skill sets.

Clarity first.

Certification later.

Ask yourself:

What role do I see myself in after 5 years?

Your answer should decide your certification.

Not peer pressure.

Ready to elevate your CFA | FRM | FP&A | SCR | ESG | CAIA journey? Fintelligents and me are just a tap away 💡

I help people build a career in Finance. Book a Call now. 📞
https://lnkd.in/dhX5KC2H

AI is moving faster than most professionals can track, and risk is no longer optional when it comes to using it responsibly. 

This week’s newsletter breaks down whether the RAI Certificate is right for you and how the GARP Risk and AI Certificate can shape your career in India.

🔹 RAI Certificate eligibility and who should consider it?
🔹 The real skills taught in the AI risk management certificate
🔹 RAI Certification benefits and long-term career impact
🔹 Is RAI worth it for finance and fintech professionals in India?

If AI is part of your future, understanding its risks will define your value.
.
.
.

#RAICertificate #GARPRiskAndAI #AIRiskManagement #RiskCareers #FinanceCertifications #FutureOfFinance #rai #Fintelligents

A few years ago, if you asked a risk manager about artificial intelligence, the response would often be, “That’s for the tech team.” Today, AI is ever

Open article: Is RAI Right for You? GARP Risk & AI Certificate Eligibility, Skills & Benefits Explained by Ganesh Nayak, FRM®, SCR® • 5 min read

Is RAI Right for You? GARP Risk & AI Certificate Eligibility, Skills & Benefits Explained

Intelligence alone won’t clear the CFA, and smart students fail every year because discipline beats IQ in this exam. 

This week’s newsletter breaks down why the CFA is hard and the real CFA exam study strategy that actually works.

 🔹 Why smart students fail CFA despite strong academic backgrounds
 🔹 CFA discipline vs intelligence and what really matters on exam day
 🔹 Practical CFA exam preparation tips that build consistency
 🔹 The best CFA study habits to improve your pass probability
 🔹 How to build a CFA exam success strategy that fits working professionals

If you’re preparing for the CFA, your habits matter more than your IQ.
.
.
.

#CFAExam #CFAPrep #CFAStudyStrategy #FinanceCertifications #CFADiscipline #Fintelligents #FutureOfFinance #ganeshnayak

I’ve seen this story play out too many times. A bright candidate clears school and college with ease. Strong academic record. Sharp thinker. Confident

Open article: Why Intelligence Isn’t Enough to Pass the CFA  by Ganesh Nayak, FRM®, SCR® • 4 min read

Why Intelligence Isn’t Enough to Pass the CFA

📛📛 Investment Banking Interview Question.

Question:
How does depreciation affect all 3 financial statements?

This is one of the most common questions asked in IB interviews.

If you cannot answer this clearly, your fundamentals are weak.

Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Assume depreciation increases by $10.

✅ 1️⃣ Income Statement

Depreciation is an expense.

So:

EBIT decreases by $10.

Assuming a 30% tax rate:

Taxes decrease by $3.

Net Income decreases by $7.

Impact on Net Income = –$7.

✅ 2️⃣ Cash Flow Statement

Start with Net Income:

Net Income is down by $7.

Add back depreciation (non-cash expense) of $10.

So cash flow from operations increases by $3.

Net impact on Cash = +$3.

Why?

Because you saved $3 in taxes.

That’s the tax shield effect.

✅ 3️⃣ Balance Sheet

Assets:
PPE decreases by $10 due to higher depreciation.
Cash increases by $3.

Net asset decrease = –$7.

Liabilities:
No direct change.

Equity:
Retained Earnings decreased by $7 (because Net Income fell by $7).

Balance sheet balances:
Assets –7
Equity –7

Perfectly aligned.

This is not a formula question.

This is a logic question.

If you understand:

Income → Cash Flow → Balance Sheet flow

You can answer 50% of basic IB technical questions confidently.

Don’t memorise.

Understand the flow.

That’s what differentiates a candidate from a prepared candidate.

Ready to elevate your CFA | FRM | FP&A | SCR | ESG | CAIA journey? Fintelligents and I are just a tap away 💡

I help people build a career in Finance. Book a Call now. 📞
https://lnkd.in/dhX5KC2H

We’re growing & we’re hiring! 

Join our dynamic team and help shape the future of learning. If you’re passionate about education, student success, and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

Open Positions:

▪️Education Counsellor
▪️ Student Success Manager
▪️ Placement Coordinator
▪️ Finance Course Designer

Interested candidates, feel free to share your CVs.

📧 Send your CV to: admin@fintelligents.com

Be part of something meaningful. Build careers. Transform learning.

#Hiring #Careers #EducationJobs #EdTech #JoinOurTeam #LearningAndDevelopment

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