Openly gay Windy City-based online talk-show host Ayush Maheshwari is among the best living definitions of inspiration. Maheshwari has given unsung everyday heroes their props on the I Am Big Show for three seasons, so far. The first episode debuted in Nov. 2012.
"I'm on a life mission to create platforms for people to be themselves," he said. "A lot of people struggle with getting appreciated and acknowledged."
Maheshwari knows lack of acknowledgement all too well. He's a native of Calcutta, India—a place where being gay isn't generally accepted and males face certain expectations. Born to a successful businessman, Maheshwari carried the burden to succeed.
Then, there's the expectation of being like other boys. Maheshwari's "unconventional" ways inspired plenty of banter. Most of it took place behind his back. However, Maheshwari never let others' reaction to his unique approach to life get him down.
"I've always believed that different isn't less than," he said.
Being gay wasn't the only challenging difference. Maheshwari's dark skin and large size were liabilities. Not meeting Indian society's standard of beauty opened him up to more ridicule.
At around age 13, he immersed himself in music and performance. Maheshwari, a soprano, began singing female roles and earning a following.
"People were drawn to me," he said.
The response fueled Maheshwari's desire to record an album. The elder Maheshwari embraced his son's dream and sent him to Mumbai. He produced a demo, which he and shopped around to all the recording companies. They all soundly rejected it, leaving him dejected.
"I was really depressed," Maheshwari said, "[I said to myself,] 'I've got nothing to offer.'"
Alienation, bullying and teasing added to the idea that he was supposedly useless.
"They don't mean to," Maheshwari said, "but they make fun of you."
After watching his recording career apparent demise, he studied hotel management. Maheshwari was drawn to the industry, since it allowed him to be around people. But, Maheshwari learned he'd never leave the kitchen.
After all the false starts, Maheshwari's father decided it was time for a change. So, Ayush headed to America to live with his brother, Amit. Amit attended Marquette University. Ayush graduated with a technology degree and gained a best friend.
"I remember the American girl, [who] told me I'm beautiful," he said, referring to Erin McDougal of Peshtigo, Wis. "There's no similarity between her and I. She was my classmate's sister."
Their friendship began during a McDougal family Thanksgiving dinner. That moment symbolizes the message Maheshwari now shares.
"One human being has the power to make another human being be big," he said.
The degree led to a job at small company that a Fortune 200 business eventually purchased.
Maheshwari stressed talking to people, especially car dealers, was the best promotion. His interactions earned him a moniker he still uses—Big Indian—courtesy of a New York car dealer.
Hard work earned him the honor, at 24, of becoming one of that Fortune 200 company's youngest directors in 2001. Maheshwari returned to India, in order to help it expand there. Regret over not recording an album began building.
So, he accepted the internal challenge and went to Mumbai to produce an album at Virgin Records. Maheshwari recorded the single, "Fatty." It had a simple, but powerful message—no matter who you are, you're cool.
Maheshwari engaged in some guerilla marketing. He waited for an MTV executive outside his office, in order to get the song played on the air. It brought him media attention and various opportunities.
"If you're in Bombay Times, you've made it," Maheshwari said.
Those other opportunities included writing gay columns for the Deccan Chronicle. Maheshwari would also create his own opportunity, creating the Karma Yatrasm (which means "journey of deeds," according to karmayatra.com ) Human Relationship Management Principle in 2002.
Maheshwari created the program, in order to help empower companies and employees.
"The program was designed to get people to do thing they've never done before," Maheshwari said.
Being influenced and inspired by Oprah Winfrey enhanced his natural ability to reach and teach people. Maheshwari would become more than an Oprah fan.
"I almost got convinced that I was Oprah," he said.
He spent three years trying to make the "Big Indian Show" a reality. Several production houses expressed interest. Even so, Maheshwari learned that "India wasn't ready." The experience taught him a valuable life lesson.
"You can never be somebody else. You can only be you," he said. "I'm not Oprah. I'm not an African-American woman. I'm a gay, Indian man."
So, the journey to be Ayush began. He pitched something to the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The opportunity basically evaporated after two phone calls. It only yielded a one-second clip within a video montage.
"I got closure that I'm not Oprah," Maheshwari said.
He returned to Chicago and took a job at another technology company. Eventually, the need to help people beckoned. Maheshwari placed a Craigslist ad and the I Am big Show was born.
"The show is about sharing what's working in people's lives," he said, repeating one of the lines in the show's introduction.
Topics have included animal rights, foster care, Alzheimer's disease, genocide and drag shows.
"We are really breaking the boundaries," Maheshwari said. "We are humanizing the experience."
Bullying and child abuse are among topics that Maheshwari would like to explore next. However, he's suspended his summer filming schedule and plans to head back to India until August.
Episodes can be seen at www.iambigshow.com or on YouTube. For more information about Karma Yatra, visit www.karmayatra.com .
