How did a Bengaluru man of Canadian origin lose 18 kg in 40 days? The answer will leave you shocked

Caleb Friesen
, a Canadian who previously stirred online debate by criticizing his homeland's immigration framework, is once again making news—this time for candidly sharing why he made India his home. Now settled in Bengaluru for eight years, Caleb recently posted a video on Instagram where he reflected on the life-altering choice he made in his twenties: leaving Canada and embracing a completely different world in India.
He also shared how he undertook an extremely challenging weight loss regime in his early 20s, which caused him to lose 18 kilos in 40 days.
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In the video, Caleb responds to a query he says he often receives—why would someone from Canada, a country that many Indians dream of migrating to, choose to relocate to India instead? His response can be summed up in two words: passive growth. He explains that India offered him the kind of personal transformation he wasn't experiencing in his home country—growth that didn't need aggressive action but rather came automatically with being in a new and demanding environment.
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Life Lessons from an Unfamiliar Land
Caleb believes India pushed him out of his comfort zone in ways that Canada never did. He described how this environment naturally fosters resilience, toughness, and self-awareness. Early in his journey, he even tested his mental and physical limits by undergoing a 40-day fast—consuming nothing but water and air.
"I completely stopped eating. No food, no juice, no vitamins," he said.
Although he lost 18 kilograms, he feels he gained something far more essential: clarity about the self-imposed nature of many of our boundaries. This realization shaped his belief that real growth doesn't always require constant activity—sometimes, commitment and the right surroundings are enough.
India: The Unavoidable Growth Zone
He says that one of his intentions in life was to become stronger and more self-sufficient. To do that, he needed to place himself where growth would be inevitable. For him, India offered exactly that—a reality where comfort is not guaranteed, systems work differently, and adapting becomes necessary. This daily struggle, he shares, forces development on both the mental and emotional fronts.
"Growth was unavoidable in India," he stated.
Fatherhood and Transformation
Caleb also mentioned that
personal growth
extended into his family life. With a toddler in his arms and another child on the way, he sees parenting itself as another layer of passive development. It wasn't something he pursued actively, but once in it, the lessons came fast and deep—teaching patience, endurance, and humility.
Advice to Seek the Right Space
He encourages others, especially young people, to place themselves in environments that demand change. That's the key reason he says he chose India—because he knew simply living here would catalyze his evolution.
"Choose a space that changes you without much effort, a space where you grow passively, just by default. And that's why I moved to India. I knew if I moved to India, the growth would accelerate," he advised.
Public Reactions and His Broader Message
Many online viewers connected deeply with Caleb's thoughts. Some appreciated the refreshing take on personal growth, especially for those navigating their twenties.
"I am moving out of my house too. It's inspiring to hear your story. I hope I will also grow as a person," one Instagram user wrote. Another comment read, "Now that's a rare mindset there, and somewhat even if a lot of people can think of it, actually doing it is another level of courage."
In a previous video, Caleb also warned against Canada's immigration setup, calling it exploitative and financially draining.
According to his Instagram bio, Caleb has a passion for artificial intelligence and startups and regularly shares his thoughts on
life in India
.

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