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In the high-stakes world of startups, Ashish Singhal — Co-founder of CoinSwitch and Lemonn — finds his entrepreneurial rhythm on the Formula 1 track and the tennis court.
For him, these high-intensity sports aren’t just pastimes; they are masterclasses in precision, preparation, and mental resilience.
In this edition of Mind Over Money, Singhal shares how split-second decisions, team coordination, and the ability to reset after setbacks translate seamlessly from sport to the volatile world of crypto and finance.
From staying disciplined amid market swings to fostering a culture of consistency over fleeting brilliance, he reveals the playbook that keeps him — and his ventures — ahead of the curve. Edited Excerpts –
Q) Ashish, you’re a big fan of Formula 1 and tennis, what is it about these high-intensity sports that resonates with your mindset as an entrepreneur?
A) What draws me to both Formula 1 and Tennis is the mix of precision, preparation, and pressure. In F1, milliseconds and micro-decisions can change outcomes.
In Tennis, it is about individual resilience; no timeouts, no substitutions. You are out there figuring things out and adapting real-time.
That is very similar to how I look at entrepreneurship. You prepare, plan, and execute but you also react, course-correct, and stay mentally sharp when things don’t go according to the plan.
Q) How do the strategy and composure in sports like F1 and tennis inspire the way you navigate high-pressure decisions in the startup world?
A) Both F1 and Tennis are great examples of handling pressure with strategy and calm. In F1, it is not just the driver, it is the whole team working in sync, making split-second calls.
That’s a lot like how startups and most businesses function. You might be steering the ship, but without tight coordination and trust in your team, you are not going far.
Tennis, on the other hand, really teaches you about patience and momentum. You are not going to win every point and that is okay. The key is how you bounce back, how you reset after a setback. In the startup world, it’s the same.
Some metrics dip, some launches don’t go as planned but you learn to keep your head still, find your rhythm again, and keep pushing forward.
Q) You enjoy content that challenges conventional thinking. Can you share a show or documentary that recently changed your perspective on something?
A) I usually turn to content as a way to completely unplug from the noise of work and everything else. For me, it is about finding something that demands my full attention.
This is the main reason why I gravitate toward shows that really challenge your thinking or keep you fully engaged, like Pantheon which I recently watched.
If it doesn’t occupy 100% of my mind, I will probably still be mentally stuck in work mode. The right kind of content helps me hit pause, reset, relax, and come back sharper.
Q) How important is mental stimulation for you outside of work, and how do you ensure continuous learning in your personal routine?
A) Mental stimulation outside of work is super important to me. I don’t think learning is something that only happens through books or structured courses, it is everywhere.
It happens in good conversations, during long walks, through a great documentary, or even while watching a game of competitive sport. I make it a point to carve out time in my day for inputs whether that is reading, listening, or just observing the world around me.
It keeps me grounded and curious, and I honestly think that curiosity is one of the most underrated but essential traits for any founder. But above all, you learn the most by doing!
Q) What role does mental discipline play in your journey as a founder, especially in the volatile world of crypto and finance?
A) Discipline is the invisible thread that ties it all together. In crypto, things move fast, sometimes chaotically. If you react emotionally to every fluctuation, you will burn out or lose direction.
I have learned to stay focused on what we can control: product, people, and purpose. Markets will swing and narratives will shift, but having a strong inner compass rooted in discipline helps you lead with clarity.
Q) Have you drawn any direct lessons from sports like F1 or tennis that have shaped how you build or lead at CoinSwitch or Lemonn?
A) Absolutely. One big lesson is that consistency beats flashes of brilliance. In both F1 and Tennis, the top performers are not just the fastest or most talented, they are the ones who show up, with discipline and intent.
That is the kind of culture I try to build where we don’t chase only highs, but focus on building with intention and innovation every single day. Another big one is preparation.
Behind every 'effortless' moment in sport is hours of unseen work and I see startups in the same way. There are multiple teams working at the backend to fulfill requests and ensure seamless functioning, making it all look ‘effortless’.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
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