It was October 2024. I was working full time as a Group IT Director in London, helping my wife with her growing business, and juggling a few side projects. On paper, it looked like I was winning at life. Successful. Busy. Productive. But deep down, I knew something was missing.
I felt burned out, yes, but it was more than that. It was the sense that I wasn’t living in alignment with who I really was. I’d climbed the corporate ladder, only to realise it was leaning against the wrong wall. I wanted more, not just more to do, but more meaning. More truth. More connection.
That’s when I decided to work with a coach. Not because I needed fixing, but because I needed a space to say the quiet things out loud. I had this idea, this urge, and I knew that once I said it, I couldn’t unsay it.
"I want to start a club," I told them.
Not a business. Not a coaching programme. Just a space, a space to belong. I didn’t want to be the coach or the leader. I just wanted to be a part of it. I wanted community. I wanted accountability. I wanted real human connection.
And once I said it, that was it, no more hiding. I handed in my notice, with my last day set for December. That was the moment everything shifted.
I had the seed of an idea and a huge desire to just be a member, not the person running the show. That’s when I found Shanti on Upwork. From our first conversation, I knew she was the one to help me bring this vision to life.
Together, we began shaping what would become The Accountability Club. We hosted our very first event on 7th November 2024. Six people joined, half of them total strangers, and yet, the connection in that virtual room was electric.
People shared their goals, their recent wins, and their hopes. And in that moment, it felt like we’d built a home, somewhere safe and grounded.
Those early calls were deeply emotional. Not because we had it all figured out, but because we were honest. People showed up as they were. No pretending. No posturing. Just real life and real support.
That’s what accountability should feel like, not a pressure to perform, but a gentle nudge to keep going.
Some people wanted to run their first 5K. Others were starting a creative project they’d shelved for years. Some simply needed someone to ask, “How’s your week been?” and really mean it.
And that’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a club. It was something sacred.
In today’s world, it feels like everyone’s chasing a highlight reel. Who’s got the best car? The most followers? The flashiest lifestyle?
Social media is a constant flood of curated perfection, and our brains, wired for comparison, struggle to keep up. According to social comparison theory, we naturally evaluate ourselves based on what others are doing. But here’s the thing—our brains don’t always know that social media isn’t real. They respond to it as though it is.
Studies show that seeing idealised images online can increase feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It hijacks our attention and creates a dopamine feedback loop, likes, follows, notifications—that pulls us further away from being present and focused on our own journey.
That’s why The Accountability Club is different. No filters. No facades. Just people, showing up with their real goals, messy progress, and genuine wins.
Whether someone is trying to drink more water, change careers, or finally get around to that DIY project, there’s no judgment here. Just encouragement, accountability, and kindness.
When we surround ourselves with like-minded people, something shifts. You stop comparing. You start growing. Not in the shadow of self-doubt, but in the light of shared support. This club gives us space to breathe, reflect, and focus on our version of growth, not the one sold to us online.
By the end of 2024, my life looked completely different. What started as a quiet idea became a community. A place where people lift each other up. A reminder that you don’t have to do it all alone.
And we’re just getting started.
So if there’s something you can’t stop thinking about, say it out loud. Throw it at the wall. And if it sticks? Pay attention. Put in the work. You never know what kind of magic might grow when you're surrounded by the right people.
Founder
With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Sunil has built, scaled, and explored more than 50 businesses across diverse industries, including two successful exits. He started the Accountability Club because he personally needed accountability, and saw the potential in building a space where others could find the same.
As founder, he leads the vision and direction of the community, creating a place where entrepreneurs and goal-driven individuals connect, support each other, and make real progress. His passion for building communities and inspiring growth is at the heart of everything the club stands for.
Day to day, Sunil steers the evolution of the club and fosters an environment of accountability, connection, and action. His goal is simple: to help members follow through on what matters most to them.
Something powerful hit me this week. I was reflecting on how much my life has changed since starting The Accountability Club, and it all started with something as simple as a to-do list.
Sunil Kumar
Founder
