Move the Ball Forward: A COO Dad's Framework | Amit Shah (Dad of 2, Virta Health)

Amit Shah is the COO of Virta Health, a company on a mission to reverse Type 2 diabetes, and a dad to two young children. As a high-level executive and father, Amit has navigated the challenge of balancing his demanding career with raising a family. In this conversation, he shares his approach to intentional parenting, the value of shared family principles, and how he prioritizes both work and home life in his fast-paced world. We discussed:

• The power of partnership: How Amit and his wife, Bijal, support each other in their careers while raising two young kids.
• Balancing career and family: The conscious decisions Amit and Bijal made to ensure their careers and family life could thrive together, despite the challenges.
• Shared values in parenting: Amit’s approach to instilling values like kindness, curiosity, and persistence in his children and how he aligns with his wife on these principles.
• Parenting through trade-offs: The sacrifices Amit has made to maintain work-life alignment, including how they manage time, travel, and childcare logistics.
• Raising resilient kids: Amit’s thoughts on teaching his kids resilience through boundaries and handling disappointment.
• The importance of structure: How Amit uses his love for operations and structure to maintain balance and ensure his family’s needs are met.

Where to find Amit Shah

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitrshah1/ 

Where to find Adam Fishman

• FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ 

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcome Amit Shah, COO at Virta Health

(03:49) The decision to start a family: career executives navigating parenthood

(06:11) Shared values and partnership: aligning family and career priorities

(07:59) Logistics and support systems: the power of the one calendar rule

(29:35) Advice for career-focused executives considering parenthood

(32:46) Facing the inevitable trade-offs: making parenting and career work together

(33:16) Aligning family and career priorities: finding balance in a busy life

(34:07) Parallels between work and family: applying business skills to parenting

(34:49) Supportive work environment: the impact of a family-friendly workplace

(36:01) Favorite books to read to kids: Amit’s go-to parenting reads

(45:00) Balancing nutrition and health for kids: Amit’s approach to healthy eating

(49:34) Negotiating parenting styles: challenges and compromises in raising kids

(50:46) Fun and challenges of parenting: Amit’s personal parenting philosophy
(54:49) Lightning round: the diaper genie, minivans, and other parenting hacks

Resources From This Episode:

Virta Health: https://www.virtahealth.com/

Diaper Genie: https://www.diapergenie.com/

Minivans (Toyota Sienna): https://www.toyota.com/sienna/

Giraffes Can’t Dance (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Giraffes-Cant-Dance-Giles-Andreae/dp/0545392551 

Wonderbly (Personalized Books): https://www.wonderbly.com/

Cat & Jack (Target Clothing Brand): https://www.target.com/b/cat-jack/-/N-qqqgm 

Khan Academy Kids (App): https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/

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