Hi, I’m Sandeep Nanu – and I don’t do work-life balance.

I do Life Design.

For me, life isn’t about juggling work and hobbies like they’re on opposing teams. It’s about building a life where everything I do energizes everything else I do. Whether I’m leading brand strategy workshops at writeclick, rescuing a cobra from someone’s backyard, hosting a stand-up comedy night, or zooming through the outskirts of Bangalore on my F77 – it’s all part of the same rhythm.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The “Non-Agency” Life

Let me rewind a bit.

I run a brand and communication consulting firm called writeclick. After spending years in the startup world, co-founding four ventures, I realized my core strength lay in understanding business challenges and solving them with communication that works.

writeclick isn’t your typical agency. We don’t do vanity presentations or award-chasing campaigns. We ask uncomfortable questions, dig into why something is needed, and work like embedded partners with our clients. It’s lean, hands-on, and built around clarity, not fluff.

But what keeps this engine running isn’t just client briefs or pitch decks. It’s everything else I do outside of work that helps me show up better at work.

Bird Calls Over Boardrooms

I picked up bird photography during the pandemic – while most people were baking banana bread, making dalgona coffee or binge-watching shows, I was crouched behind bushes with a camera. That pause in global chaos helped me notice the quiet, winged world around me.

Since then, birds have taken me places – literally and metaphorically. From the trees outside my balcony to the lagoons of Chilika Lake, I’ve documented over 400 species, hosted exhibitions, and even created memory card games to help people identify birds.

It’s not about perfect pictures; it’s about stories. Observing birds has made me more patient, more alert, and more curious – qualities that spill over into everything else I do.

Rescuing Snakes. Reframing Fear.

What started as the occasional documenting snake rescues by experts quickly turned into a full-blown responsibility. I’ve now crossed over 280 snake rescues – cobras, vipers, keelbacks, and even a rock python. These are usually between work, sometimes late-night, no-glory, no-payment missions. But the thrill of giving a misunderstood creature another chance to live is priceless.

I don’t just rescue snakes. I stay back and talk to people – especially kids – about why snakes matter. Why fear comes from ignorance. And why coexisting with wildlife isn’t optional anymore; it’s urgent.

From Stage Fright to Stage Light

A few years ago, I dared myself to try stand-up comedy.

One opening act became two. Two became twenty. As the founder of Malhar Laugh Club, which now has 25+ packed shows to its credit, this has been the funnest journey in recent times. From fumbling with punchlines to hosting some of India’s best comics, my comedy journey has been full of awkward silences, roaring laughter, and everything in between.

And in the midst of all this, Courtyard Koota continued to inspire.

This intimate performance space in my community became a canvas for ideas – I now curate both wildlife programs and comedy nights here. From bamboo installations to bird walks to laughter fests, Koota reminds me that creativity isn’t a skill. It’s a state of being.

Badminton, Bikes & a Bit of Magic

I play badminton at 6 AM. It wakes me up better than any coffee ever could. The friendships, the hustle, the occasional bad knee – it all adds to my story. Sports have kept me sane, grounded, and ready for everything else the day throws at me.

Speaking of speed – I recently got myself the Ultraviolette F77, a high-performance EV bike made in India. It’s a beast on wheels but whisper-silent. I now do most of my errands, even some rescues, on this beauty – and trust me, nothing beats the feeling of zooming past traffic knowing you’re not burning fuel or time.

When I’m not out shooting birds or releasing cobras, I’m… doing card tricks. Yup, I love magic. Sleight of hand, mostly. It’s my way of keeping wonder alive – in myself and others.

Why I Share My Story

Through Shifting Radius and Nanusense, I try to document this journey. Not because I have it all figured out. But because I’ve figured out that doing many things is still better than doing one thing perfectly.

I get asked all the time: “How do you manage so many things?”

I don’t manage. I design.

I design my life to make space for what matters. I say no to things that don’t. I remind myself that each interest fuels the other – that my birding makes me a better brand consultant, that my stand-up helps me communicate with clarity, that my snake rescues give me perspective, and that magic keeps my childlike spirit alive.

So if you’ve ever felt like your passions are too scattered or your hobbies don’t “add up” to anything, trust me – they do.

You don’t need a template. You need a playbook. In my case, a bit of NanuSense too.