Shark Tank India’s Namita Thapar talks about stammering in childhood, being made fun of for having facial hair and fighting anxiety

Business entrepreneur Namita Thapar, who has become a household name now owing to her stint in two successful seasons of Shark Tank India, spoke about the societal taboos she has been fighting since childhood.

An advocate of mental health, Namita partnered with a mental health organisation, who she funded along with Aman Gupta and Vineeta Singh, and spoke about her journey.

She wrote, “It takes a lot of strength to ask for help. Growing up (adulting) can get overwhelming but self-compassion and counselling can move mountains. Sharing and celebrating my mental health journey out loud today.”

In the video, Namita says, “I was trolled a lot at Shark Tank. I have struggled with anxiety a lot for many years. I didn’t like myself. I had very low self-esteem. I was made fun of a lot for being overweight, for my facial hair. If I stood second instead of first in an overachieving family, it was like someone had died at home. There were days I had massive brain fog. Guys, anxiety can paralyse you. Why do we need to be a superwoman? Why are we made to feel guilty for being selfish?”

She encouraged all to seek help and not be afraid to speak about mental health when required. She added, “The most important thing is to love yourself first. It also means, when you fall, be kind to yourself.”

Namita was instantly drawn towards this organisation, who came to pitch for their business last year.