2024 Has Been A Disaster: Zerodha Co-Founder Nithin Kamath Reflects On Health Struggles

In his previous post, Kamath hinted that the passing of his father might have contributed to his health issues. He mentioned that it would take "three to six months" for him to recover fully

On Independence Day, Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath took a moment to reflect on what he described as a challenging year in 2024, which he called a "disaster" for his health. In a video from 2018, where he is seen playing music with his son, Kamath expressed his determination to improve his situation. He emphasised his need to "get back to playing for myself" as part of his resolve to turn things around.

Earlier this year, Kamath experienced a "mild stroke," which he openly shared on social media. He posted pictures of himself while lying on a hospital bed and during his subsequent recovery, accompanied by a heartfelt and candid message.

In his post, Kamath hinted that the passing of his father might have contributed to his health issues. He mentioned that it would take "three to six months" for him to recover fully.

Kamath wrote in his post on X and Instagram, “Dad passing away, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and overworking out—any of these could be possible reasons. I've gone from having a big droop in the face and not being able to read or write to having a slight droop but being able to read and write more. From being absent-minded to more present-minded...I wondered why a person who's fit and takes care of himself could be affected. The doctor said you need to know when to shift the gears down a bit. Slightly broken, but still getting my treadmill count.”

Kamath, recognised for promoting health and fitness challenges at Zerodha, has a longstanding practice of incentivising his employees to remain active. In 2022, he introduced a notable incentive: a bonus equivalent to one month’s salary for any employee who achieved their fitness goals on at least 90 per cent of the days throughout the year. 

Kamath specified that the goal involved burning a minimum of 350 active calories per day through any form of exercise. He stressed the importance of maintaining physical activity, particularly given the rise in remote work. Kamath highlighted that sedentary behaviour, or "sitting," is becoming a new epidemic. This initiative was designed not only to encourage daily movement among his team but also to promote a healthier lifestyle for their families.