I met Ankit Sobti, a data analyst, connector, and the man behind #themeetupguy, a title that perfectly captures his mission to create genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world. From moving to Australia in 2017 to hosting nearly a hundred lunches with strangers, Ankit’s journey is a story of curiosity, courage, and community.
📍Q: You use the “#themeetupguy.” What unlocked that identity?
Ankit: “When I came to Australia in 2017, I started reaching out to people, professors, industry professionals, anyone who could share insights. One day, someone introduced me to the Meetup app, and I became obsessed. I started attending every event I could find. That’s when I met the founder of BeerOps, who helped me polish my networking skills and encouraged me to own this identity. That’s how the meetup guy was born, it wasn’t planned; it came from enjoying those interactions and realising how much I grew through them.”
📍Q: What patterns have you noticed from nearly 100 lunches, any repeatable “networking laws”?
Ankit: Unofficially, I’ve crossed a hundred lunches, I started documenting them later. The idea came from Kaley Chu, who wrote 100 Lunches with Strangers. Meeting her inspired me to start my own version.
And third, I learned to shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. Initially, I only reached out to certain people, but when some canceled, I realised I was being too narrow. I focused on action instead of outcomes, everything opened up. Everyone has a story worth listening to, you just have to ask the right questions.”
📍Q: What do you think universities don’t teach about preparing for the realities of data-driven roles?
Ankit: “Honestly, I think universities are a bit of a scam. My course ranked top 10 globally, but within weeks I realised I wasn’t learning anything practical. It felt ordinary, assignments and theory, no real-world relevance. I learned more from doing than studying. They need to listen to students more and focus on live, industry-based learning. Education should prepare you for the real world, not just a grade.”
📍Q: One message for the world
Ankit: “Take the first step. Take action. Don’t wait for perfection, it doesn’t exist.”
✨Key Takeaway:
Ankit’s journey shows that growth begins with a single step, whether it’s starting a conversation, showing up at a meetup, or challenging how things are done. His story reminds us that connection is a skill, and every meaningful opportunity starts with the courage to reach out.
