Techie left Uber’s good salary to teach on YouTube. Today, with 2 million subscribers, he lives 'slow' Dehradun life he…

A former Uber software engineer has captured hearts across social media after revealing how walking away from a high-paying corporate role led him to a life he truly loves. Akshay Saini, who now has over two million YouTube subscribers, chose to leave a secure job to focus on teaching and content creation, a decision many initially questioned, but one that eventually gave him the slow, fulfilling life he had always envisioned.

Why Akshay Saini Quit Uber

Saini’s decision to leave Uber, a globally recognised tech company, raised eyebrows among colleagues, friends, and even family.

“Good salary, big brand, stable life. And I was walking away from it to do YouTube, teaching, content creation. In India,” he shared on X.


Despite warnings to “teach on weekends” or concerns about marriage prospects, Saini prioritised building a career he could respect, rather than following the conventional path.

Taking a Break Before the Big Leap

Rather than immediately starting NamasteDev, his teaching platform, Saini took nearly 10 months off with no salary.

“Proper break. No salary. Just thinking,” he said, describing this period as essential for reflecting on the kind of life he wanted.

This phase allowed him to plan carefully and prepare mentally for the challenges of entrepreneurship.

From Software Engineer to CEO, Marketer, and More

Transitioning from a software engineer to running his own platform proved harder than it looked.

“Earlier, I was just a software engineer. Now suddenly I had to be a founder, CEO, marketer, sales guy, product manager, finance guy, and sometimes even customer support,” Saini admitted.

He emphasised that while startups can look “shiny” from the outside, the early days are often chaotic and uncertain. Yet, he persevered, slowly growing his YouTube channel and platform while learning on the job.

Five Years Later: A Different Definition of Success

Today, Saini enjoys a life that balances work, family, and personal fulfilment. Living in his hometown of Dehradun with a small remote team, he embraces a “slow life” and a career that brings him genuine joy.

“This is the life I always wanted. And I’m very proud that I chose it, even when it didn’t make sense to most people,” he wrote.

Social Media Hails His Courageous Choice

Saini’s story resonated with many, especially in a society that often equates career success with a “safe job + marriage” formula.

Comments on X praised his courage:

• “The right decision often looks irrational until you live it.”
• “It takes serious guts to walk away from the rat race. Salute for choosing yourself.”

Saini concluded with a reflection that struck a chord:
“Sometimes the right decision looks stupid at first. You only understand it when you live through it.”

Lessons from Akshay Saini’s Journey

Saini’s story offers valuable takeaways for anyone seeking a meaningful life:

• Prioritise passion over convention – Choose a career that aligns with your values.
• Plan before you leap – Taking a break to reflect can make big decisions more effective.
• Embrace multiple roles – Entrepreneurship may require wearing many hats at once.
• Define success on your own terms – True happiness comes from work that fulfills you, not society’s definition.