Rohit Roy Is The Only Inspiration You Need
Things From The Internet I Quite Like Vol. 1
This is the first edition of an incredibly informal, and unscheduled series I’m going to be doing called Things From The Internet I Quite Like. It will include things I’ve found online that I think are worthwhile, whether it’s because they are fun and feel-good or because they are important trends to think about. Sometimes they will be short and sweet and sometimes they will be in-depth synopses. Sometimes they will be things to read, sometimes they will be things to watch, sometimes they will be things to buy, but they will always be things that will make you feel good and happy, because we don’t get enough of that nowadays. Basically, as is always the case with this newsletter, they will be whatever the hell I feel like writing about.
First up, the crown prince of giving up soda aka fizzy drinks, Rohit Roy.
I watch TikTok on the regular. Yes that’s right. And I love it. No other platform has the wealth of innovative and interesting content. Some truly talented artists, filmmakers and storytellers are using the platform to push the boundaries of just how enthralling short form, vertical video content can be. It’s really what Quibi wanted to be before Quibi even existed (and subsequently kinda sucked). Seriously, if you’ve never taken the time to peruse TikTok you really should do so because there are some absurd, impressive and absurdly impressive things going on aside from dumb viral dances. Hurry before it’s too late! Who knows what will happen with the debacle that has proved to be the selling of this Chinese owned company to American hands. Obviously the opinion that you have got to check out TikTok is not an insightful one, there’s a reason the platform is so popular and it’s all of the aforementioned reasons, but I also think there are a lot of people who have never really considered TikTok, so I guess that bit was for them.
Then one fateful day months ago I came across Rohit Roy. He’s not innovative. He’s not particularly funny, at least not on purpose. He’s not “traditionally” attractive. But god damn if he’s not just about my favorite person on the internet. I say this without a hint of sarcasm, derision or hate: There is something uniquely satisfying about watching a grown-ass, soft-spoken, South-Asian man share his quest to kick his soda habit with the world via handheld selfie-style video. There is something even more uniquely satisfying to see the internet, a place chock-full of Beelzebubs and Draco Malfoys, accept and support Rohit’s journey wholeheartedly. He went viral nearly overnight and now has a devoted following of people accompanying him on his journey to give up “fizzy drinks” as he calls them in his slightly lisping affectation. His comments are filled with laughs and happiness and untoward (for the internet) messages of inspiration and support. At this point he’s been written about by some of the biggest publishers on the interweb like The Guardian and BBC.
I don’t know why I love this man’s videos so much, I just do. It’s so genuine. It does not have an agenda. Unlike most weight-loss or self-help journey content we find online nowadays, it does not seem to be pandering for likes or support. It seems merely to exist, and if you want to follow along you can. Here is a brief synopsis of his 100 day quest to give up fizzy drinks.
Day 1
His first video on June 7th, in the now 100+ day series of daily updates starts with “Hello Everyone, I have an addiction of drinking fizzy drinks”. Off the bat you think it’s a bit, a parody which is right at home on TikTok. Upon completion of the video you realize it’s not a bit, but are not 100% convinced of that fact. You feel a warming in your heart and a desire for him to curb his addiction. He then gives an update every damn day from that day forth.
Day 3
By day three Rohit is hitting us with the update that he has not had fizzy drinks in three days and has been drinking a lot of water, but excitingly will start drinking warm water with lemon in the coming days.
Day 5
By day five he’s telling us about his old habits: drinking two cans a day (which is not good, but honestly doesn’t seem that bad) and his ability to finish a Red Bull in four seconds (some people aspire to that if we’re being real).
Day 12
By day 12 he is literally saluting all the people in his comments who tell him they have gone “weeks, months and even years” without their fizzy drinks. Real recognize real, I guess.
Day 30
30 days! Like the true leader that Rohit is, he gives all credit to his supporters and followers. He looks absolutely ecstatic and is glowing with glee. He then celebrates like an absolute madman by chugging a glass of water to celebrate! I legitimately giggle.
Day 46
Rohit’s previous record was 45 days without fizzy drinks. Today is day 46. To celebrate he once again crushes a glass of water while staring directly into the camera.
Day 50
At 50 days Rohit gives us an unbelievable treat: he records the day’s video in front of a picture of him and his wife that hangs on his bedroom wall. He is getting more confident and sharing more of himself with viewers.
Day 80
Rohit delves into the depths of his addiction and talks about when he was most addicted and how he never thought he could make it to 80 days.
Day 100
100 days! Hot damn we made it. It’s honestly not as enthralling of an announcement as I thought it would be. But he did raise a glass of water and give us a fist pump in excitement. He also looks noticeably brighter, thinner and more energetic.
Now he’s moving on to a weight-loss journey, which I sorta thought the he was doing before, but I guess the no fizzy drinks was just stage one to get his mind right and now he’s moving to stage two, getting that ass in shape (my words, but I wish he would use them). This is an online weight-loss journey I can fully get behind.
I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before some fizzy drink company tries to get him back on the wagon with an absurd amount of money for sponsored posts. Maybe something claiming to be zero calories. It seems like he would be the perfect fit for a water company since he has taken to chugging it on camera with aplomb. I hope not though. I hope he just sticks to singular, cherubic messages every day to remind us that there are still a few nice and pure things in the world.
The cynical side of me thinks it’s kind of hopeless to not expect anyone to sell out. Isn’t the goal of social media nowadays to amass as many followers as possible to make money from them to support your lifestyle? But I guess when the only lifestyle you want is to give up fizzy drinks and the payment you get is the support of thousands of people online, it leaves room for optimism.
And you know, if Rohit does want to get in his bag and start doing sponsored posts for good money, who are we to complain? We should be happy for him that he’s already given us so much great stuff. Hell he’s already got a Cameo page, and if anyone wants to get me a present, this is top of the gosh darn list.
I know this is probably way more in depth than you (or I) ever thought I would go on a dude who is giving up soda, but it’s a nice thing in a world full of not nice things right now. Bless up.
P.S. Rohit, I swear to god, if it comes out later that you are some POS who is involved in dog-fighting, or burglary or other bad things, I am gonna royally pissed. Otherwise, keep up the good work.
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