IIT graduate quits US bank job at 38, sells 4BHK, travels across 35 countries: “Titles didn’t feed my soul”

A story that’s been going viral on social media is making people pause for a moment. It’s not about a big achievement or a major career win. Instead, it’s about someone who chose to leave all of that behind. Shared by Humans of Bombay, the journey of an IIT graduate is getting attention because it feels honest and close to real life.

At a time when high salaries and big job titles are often seen as the end goal, this story offers a different perspective. It shows what it feels like when someone who seems successful on the outside starts questioning everything.

A life many dream of

After graduating from IIT, he moved to the US and started working in banking. Over time, he kept growing in his career and reached a senior role.

By the age of 38, he was a Director at First Republic Bank and earning a salary that many people dream of. From the outside, his life looked sorted. He had a stable job, good income, and a clear career path.

But things did not feel the same to him.

“By 38, I was a Director at First Republic Bank, earning a salary most only dream of. But inside, for ten years, I felt like I was stuck in a loop, chasing titles that didn't feed my soul. I realized I wanted to explore the intuitive, artistic side of life that corporate spreadsheets couldn't capture,” he said.

Walking away from it all

In 2013, he made a decision that changed everything. He quit his corporate job.

He chose to live simply and started travelling alone, carrying only what he needed. Over the next 18 months, he visited 35 countries. This time became more about finding himself.

“For 18 months, I wandered through 35 countries alone, from the mountains of Russia to the deserts of Egypt. I knew no one, and for the first time, I finally knew myself,” he shared.

A meeting that changed everything

During his travels, he visited Montenegro. That’s where he met Kathy, an Austrian social worker.

Their first conversation lasted just 10 minutes, but it quickly turned into spending 10 days together. Over time, they grew closer and got married in 2016.

A different kind of family life

Today, they have three children and continue to travel together as a family. They don’t stay in one place and prefer a simple way of living. Instead of owning a house or car, they stay in homestays.

Their expenses are supported through investments in India. They also homeschool their children, using a mix of the Vedas and Upanishads along with NCERT books.

A change in what matters

For him, life is no longer about money or job titles. It’s about experiences and values.

“Along this journey, we've raised three children entirely on the road. They were all natural births, raised without diapers or conventional medicine. We homeschool them using the Vedas and Upanishads alongside NCERT books, teaching them that life is about who you are, not what you become,” he said.

He describes his choice in simple words. He says he “traded a 4 BHK for the entire world” and is now “living life king-size.”

Disclaimer: This article is based on a story shared on social media. The account reflects the individual’s personal experiences and choices. The Times of India does not independently verify such claims, and the views expressed are those of the individual.Thumb image: Instagram