Ankit Poothia didn't just resign from his job as a global executive; he walked away from two decades of corporate stability, first-class travel, and predictable success leading CX initiatives for Fortune 50 clients. Now, the destination isn't the next quarterly review, but a 60-day, world-record attempt to visit every one of the 50 bars on 'The World's 50 Best Bars' list.
This journey is not a strategic move on a corporate chessboard; it’s a deeply personal act of reinvention. Poothia’s mission is the ultimate expression of the "Great Corporate Escape"; a relentless pursuit of passion that challenges the very definition of a successful career.
The Human Equation: Trading Titles for True Connection
For years, Poothia’s world revolved around the digital transformation of companies across 40+ countries. His current obsession is a quieter, more profound kind of transformation: how human connection is engineered in the world's finest hospitality spaces.
This quest began not with a business plan, but with pure curiosity. After visiting two dozen bars over the years, he saw them less as venues and more as cultural cornerstones. "Living museums" that bottle the unique energy and history of their host cities. The meticulous planning, logistical discipline, and execution under pressure that defined his life in global operations haven't been discarded; they've just been redirected toward a personal, meaningful goal.
His journey reflects a deep desire to use his analytical mind to decode the authentic pulse of global culture, observing how a speakeasy in Tokyo or a lively cantina in Barcelona reflects its city’s soul. This is applied anthropology dressed up as a cocktail crawl.
The Price of the Quest: Endurance and Sacrifice
While the theme is glamorous, the reality of the record attempt is a demanding endurance test. Poothia faces the physical and mental requirements of traversing six continents and nearly 75,000 miles, 45 flights, 35 different hotels and 30 airports in barely two months. This isn't a relaxed extended vacation; it’s a high-stakes cultural sprint.
To maintain the pace, Poothia’s preparation included months of dedicated focus on his own performance. He undertook an intensive gym training regimen, a complete alcohol detox before departure, and meticulous attention to sleep optimization protocols to manage the punishing jet lag.
The pressure is immense: managing punishing jet lag, navigating complex logistics, and adhering to a schedule that allows only brief hours in each of the 20+ countries. His goal is to be the first person to complete this entire list in a single, continuous journey, making every minute, every flight, and every successful check-in critical.
Poothia's adventure offers a blueprint for senior professionals considering a similar break. It demonstrates that leaving a corporate role doesn't mean abandoning expertise. Instead, it’s a masterclass in applying decades of leadership, planning, and resilience to achieve profound personal fulfillment and contribute to global cultural understanding.
Starting his odyssey from Delhi, Ankit Poothia is charting a course where passion meets purpose. His 50-bar odyssey is the ultimate testament to the idea that the greatest discoveries are often made when you finally choose your own adventure. |
