Who is Sahil Bloom? Indian-origin author and investor from Stanford questioning conventional ideas of success

Sahil Reddy Bloom, a New York Times bestselling author, investor, and former collegiate athlete, has spent the last decade helping people rethink what success means. Born to a Telugu Indian mother and an American father, he grew up balancing two cultures while building a strong foundation in education and ambition.

At Stanford University, he excelled academically and played as a pitcher for the baseball team. A promising career in professional baseball seemed certain, but an injury forced him to reconsider his future. That moment set him on a path from athletics to investing, and eventually to redefining what it means to live a truly wealthy life.

College years at Stanford

Bloom attended Stanford University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology, graduating in 2013.

He continued at Stanford to earn a master’s degree in public policy in 2014. Alongside his studies, Bloom played as a pitcher for the university’s baseball team. At the time, a professional career in Major League Baseball seemed within reach.

The shift from athletics to finance

An injury ended Bloom’s hopes of pursuing professional baseball. He faced a turning point and began to explore investing. He reached out to successful individuals in his network, asking for guidance on finance and wealth creation.

Over the next few years, Bloom built expertise and a reputation in investing.By the age of 30, he had achieved what many consider traditional success: a high-paying job, professional titles, a house, and financial stability. Yet he realised that these markers did not bring fulfilment.

Reassessing success

A conversation with a friend changed Bloom’s perspective. He realised how little time he had left to spend with his parents. Within weeks, he made significant life changes. He left his job, sold his California home, and moved across the country to live closer to his family. “Beneath the surface, I was miserable. I had erroneously prioritised one thing at the expense of everything else,” he told Fortune.

Writing The 5 Types of Wealth

Bloom began to explore what a truly wealthy life looked like. In his 2025 book, The 5 Types of Wealth, he identifies financial, time, social, mental, and physical wealth. He encourages readers to consider all five areas and balance them according to different stages of life.Bloom’s ideas have attracted attention from readers across different backgrounds, including prominent business leaders. The book has been recognised by figures such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, motivational speaker Mel Robbins, and hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, who have highlighted its value in encouraging readers to reflect on purpose, meaning, and the broader aspects of a wealthy life

Lessons from a life in transition

Bloom’s journey illustrates how life often takes unexpected turns and how those moments can redefine priorities.

He moved from pursuing a professional athletic career to building expertise in investing, learning that conventional markers of success—money, titles, and possessions—do not automatically bring satisfaction. His choices to leave a high-paying job, sell his home, and relocate closer to family highlight the importance of aligning daily decisions with long-term values.

Bloom’s story shows that success is not a single destination but a balance across multiple dimensions of life, including time, relationships, health, and personal growth. It emphasises that reflection and intentional action can help anyone create a life that feels meaningful and complete.