Aadeesh Shastry has built his success through structure, consistency, and a clear approach to decision‑making. Raised in Fremont, California, he grew up balancing athletics, strategy games, and school. He ran hurdles on his track team, played competitive basketball, and spent hours studying chess patterns. These early habits shaped the way he thinks today — calm under pressure, strategic, and focused on long‑term outcomes.
His academic journey reflects that same mindset. He earned his degree from the University of Chicago in 2022, known for its rigorous and analytical environment. He later completed a master’s degree at New York University in 2023, focusing on data, systems, and decision frameworks. These experiences strengthened his ability to break down complex problems, recognise patterns, and choose actions that align with bigger goals.
In his career, Aadeesh is known for his structured thinking and quiet leadership style. He doesn’t chase noise or quick wins. Instead, he builds routines that help him think clearly, make better choices, and stay grounded during fast‑moving challenges. He credits much of this to the habits he learned early — consistent practice, thoughtful reflection, and the willingness to adjust when something isn’t working.
Outside of work, he still plays basketball and chess to stay sharp and centred. He journals after setbacks to study his thinking and track patterns over time. For Aadeesh, success isn’t about speed or luck. It’s about clarity, structure, and doing the small things that lead to bigger growth.
Q&A With Aadeesh Shastry
How do you personally define success?
Success, to me, is clarity. It’s knowing what you’re working toward and aligning your actions with that purpose. I don’t measure it by status or speed. I measure it by whether my choices each day actually match the direction I want to go. If I end the day feeling like I made thoughtful decisions, that feels like progress.
When did you first start thinking seriously about success?
It actually started during track season in high school. I was a hurdler, and the first time I clipped a hurdle in a race, I realised how small mistakes could throw everything off. I started studying videos of my steps and timing. That was the first time I treated improvement like a system instead of luck. It carried into everything after that.
What habits have contributed most to your success?
My morning routine has been the biggest one. I start the day by reading a page or two of philosophy and solving one chess puzzle on paper. It sounds small, but it trains my mind to slow down and think clearly. I also keep a journal of decisions I make, including the ones that go wrong. Reviewing that helps me see how my thinking changes over time.
What role has failure played in your success?
A huge role. One example is when I joined a research project in university that didn’t match what I cared about. I stayed too long because I thought finishing mattered more than aligning with my strengths. Eventually, I stepped away and redirected my time. That choice taught me that success sometimes means quitting the wrong thing before you can start the right thing.
Who or what has influenced the way you think about achieving goals?
Chess had the biggest influence. In chess, every move has a purpose. You don’t react; you plan. That taught me to see goals as a series of moves, not just a final outcome. Philosophy books helped too. Reading Hobbes or Rousseau made me think more about structure, systems, and responsibility — things that matter in both personal success and teamwork.
What’s one unusual habit that’s helped you succeed?
I time certain tasks with a physical chess clock. It sounds funny, but it pushes me to work with focus and without distractions. It’s a simple way to turn everyday tasks into strategic exercises. It keeps me from drifting or overthinking.
How do you stay focused when things feel overwhelming?
I switch tasks to something physical. Sometimes that means shooting basketball for 10 minutes. Sometimes it’s a walk. Moving my body helps reset my mind. When I come back, the problem usually feels smaller and easier to handle.
What part of your education shaped your success the most?
At the University of Chicago, the workload forced me to break problems into smaller steps. You couldn’t survive by cramming. You had to build systems for thinking. That skill carried into every part of my work and personal life.
What advice would you give someone trying to define success for themselves?
Start by tracking your decisions for one month. Not your goals — your decisions. Look at what you choose daily, especially when you’re tired or stressed. Success often hides in those patterns. When you understand them, you can adjust them.
What does the next stage of success look like for you?
For me, success now looks like refining my thinking even more. I want to keep building routines that help me stay clear and grounded. It’s less about reaching a specific milestone and more about improving how I learn and make choices.