Bike riding with Richard and the team Maverick, at the top of Virgin Gorda island (Me at the leftmost)

The Most Magical Week of My Life — at Sir. Richard Branson’s Private Island

Words cannot describe the absolutely amazing and magical experience I had in the last week on Sir Richard Branson’s private island, along with dozens of highly successful entrepreneurs! There was inspiration, happiness, joy, and laughter everywhere, every moment. Just to name a few:

1. Playing chess with Richard and getting beaten in two minutes (I was too nervous and couldn’t see the board!)
2. Riding the bicycle with Richard (right behind him, and sometimes right in front of him), and the Maverick team to the top of Virgin Gorda island — it was an extremely strenuous one, with a 350m elevation gain
3. Deep, insightful, and eye-opening conversations where Richard also engaged
4. Dancing with the stars at the beach
5. Learning to kite-surf for the first time, with Nate, a world-class instructor
6. Playing pickleball for the first time, with Catherine, an amazing tennis coach
7. Incredibly delicious and healthy meals every time, with unlimited cocktails
8. Morning yoga on the sun deck, overlooking the beautiful island and turquoise ocean
9. Getting served cocktails and champagne by Catherine in a mermaid costume

I asked Richard a few key questions I had been pondering for a while — whether it’s the right decision to sell my company at some point, and also about relationship issues. He listened carefully and gave me very thoughtful answers, and of course, with humor!

Richard bought the island for $180K almost 50 years ago (1978). The initial ‘discounted’ asking price was $6 million, and Richard’s initial offer was $100K! They say the current value of the island is more than $300 million, but I don’t think Richard would sell the island even for a $1 billion offer. When I asked him if he would pick the purchase of this island as one of the top three choices he made, he said “Yes”. It was a rare and unique opportunity to observe and interact with a truly inspiring businessman, a billionaire, who maintains an extremely healthy life at the age of 74, who always finds fun in life and people, and who truly appreciates the life we are given.

One person in our group said, “You are born because of your two parents, and those two parents were born because of four people… as you go up 20 generations that way, you see that the probability of you existing on Earth is only 1 out of 1 million (2²⁰). Multiply that by the probability of being that one sperm out of 300 million sperms. You cannot say you are not worth much. It’s that rare condition which brought life to you.”

Yes, I am an extremely lucky person to be born, to live on this beautiful planet, and to experience those rare events that many can only dream of. I am truly grateful for it and would like to share this with more people around me.

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With the help of AI, I made a song about this trip. Check it out!

[Verse] Underneath the sun, we gather on the sand With waves caressing gently, it’s a paradise so grand As Richard shares his wisdom, we tune in to hear The secrets of success, whispered in our ears

[Chorus] Necker Island calling, where dreams become alive (alive) In this tranquil sky, ocean’s turquoise tide (turquoise tide) Team Maverick united, reaching for the stars (the stars) Oh, we’re gonna go far, yeah, we’re gonna go far

[Verse 2] With acoustic melodies, we let our spirits soar (soar) In the embrace of nature, we find peace forevermore The beauty of this moment, etched within our souls Necker Island, our sanctuary, where inspiration strolls