Wondrlab’s co-founder and chief creative officer, Amit Akali, is stepping into a new role as chief mentor and co-founder.

Akali takes on this role after he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s. In a chat with Manifest, Akali explained how he looks to tackle the disease.

“When I was diagnosed with it, at that point, I was shocked. There was ignorance, fear, and a little bit of a taboo. I spent time finding out more about it and figuring out what the solutions could be,” he said.

Akali stated that with Parkinson’s being a degenerative disease and there being no cure for it, he has been investing time in therapies while trying to stay positive.

“I was undertaking all sorts of therapies and being able to work. But then, it took a turn for the worse, and I had to make a decision, and I decided to focus on health. I had a conversation with Saurabh (Varma, founder and CEO, Wondrlab) and Rakesh (Hinduja, co-founder and managing partner, Wondrlab) in April,” he said, revealing that it has been about a month and a half since he has been fully focusing on the health bit.

In April, when they had the discussion, Akali stated that the focus was to get the right person on board as chief creative officer, and they did so by hiring Hemant Shringy.

Now that Shringy is joining the agency on 18 August, Akali stated how he will ‘look to live a normal life’.

Stating that it’s a wake-up call for him, Akali said, “There were positives to it. It’s now about focusing on health, and it’s also about telling myself to have a great time in life. I also want to make that process faster for anybody who, God forbid, has Parkinson’s or any other degenerative disease. If they can learn from my experience, it will be great. And that’s why I want to be open and talk about it. If anyone needs to learn from me, they are welcome.”

Looking at it from a lighter side, he said that everything has to be made the most of to live life in a ‘fun manner’.

“I was a young CCO. I always achieved beyond my age. Parkinson’s doesn’t happen at 50. It happens to people usually above the age of 70. The young achiever tag can be extended to this too. The advantages go on. I get to take sabbaticals. I get to take half days. I get to skip morning evening flights. I get to hire a new CCO, Hemant Shringy, who’s talented, energetic, insightful. And unlike me, he’s actually young,” said Akali while trying to stay positive.

“I won’t lie, it’s a reality. It’s not all jokes, but one has to do what one has to. I’m single-mindedly into therapy. I have a speech-therapist, mental-health therapist, hypnotherapist, accu-puncturist, my physical trainer, my pranic healer, my cranium sacro therapist and most importantly my doctor, Mohit Bhatt at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital. He’s the one who prescribes dopamine to me. At the same time, I’m planning holidays too, with a vengeance. In the middle of all that, I’m there for Hemant, Rakesh, and Wondrlab,” he said.

He also had a word of praise for Wondrlab and the team.

“The team made it clear that health was most important. Rakesh and Saurabh were extremely supportive. Everyone came to my support as a family. I know that’s what we do for every employee over here. And I just thank my stars that I was here at Wondrlab when this happened to me,” he surmised.