RunYogi Diaries Podcast: Recent Episodes
Santosh Shiva
Welcome to the RunYogi Diaries podcast .
In this podcast , you will hear conversations with regular folks on extraordinary journeys of well-being and fitness through endurance sports. These include running, cycling , triathlons and mountaineering . Hopefully you'll find these conversations insightful and motivational.
Also find us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries. The YouTube version has photos and video footages where possible. Check it out.
In conversation with Dr. Neeta Gautam , a family physician, faculty at the Stanford school of medicine and a proponent of Ayurveda for health .The conversation covers a comprehensive discussion on modern medicine, Ayurveda, running, and the intersection of these domains. Neeta, a medical practitioner and faculty at Stanford University, explores the blend of modern medicine with Ayurvedic practices, emphasizing the significance of lifestyle choices in managing health. She highlights her running journey, stating its positive impacts on her life beyond physical fitness, like happiness, accomplishment, and improved sleep quality. Neeta advocates for consistent running as a personal goal over speed or accolades, valuing its holistic benefits.As a family medicine specialist, Neeta discusses her approach to patient care, focusing on prevention and lifestyle mediation in chronic illnesses such as stress, anxiety, and diabetes. She stresses the importance of addressing basic health practices, like movement, nutrition, and sleep, alongside traditional medical interventions.Neeta shares insights on epigenetic and the potential to modify genetic predispositions through lifestyle changes. She addresses the specific health risks for South Asians, including predispositions to metabolic disorders, advocating for active lifestyles and strength training as preventative measures.The conversation delves into Ayurveda's principles, emphasizing its preventative and individualized approach to health. Neeta illustrates how Ayurvedic practices, such as sleep routines and diet adjustments, can significantly improve health outcomes. She advocates for the integration of Ayurveda with allopathic medicine, urging medical professionals to be open and curious about alternative healing methods.Lastly, Neeta offers general Ayurvedic recommendations for endurance athletes, suggesting mindful training, nutrition, and an understanding of one's constitution for optimal performance and long-term health. This conversation is about effectively bridges traditional and modern healthcare philosophies, advocating for a holistic, informed approach to health and wellness.Chapter timelines0:00 Intro and background3:46 Running journey6:15 How did Ayurveda become of interest9:15 Impact of epigenetics18:00 Importance of strength training21:00 How does Ayurveda complement modern medicine35:00 Practice of Ayurveda in modern life38:00 Evidence based research on ancient medicine 50:00 Ayurveda for ensure athletes 54:00 Fun Q&A round1:00 The last word
In conversation with Srinath Nagarur, a tech exec , who has been on a jounrey of self discovery in the area of fat loss, fitness and health. Having lost over 50 lbs in the last year, Srinath has dwelt into depths of nutrition science and psychology to find a hack thats working for him. This discussion covered several important aspects, including the importance of understanding the difference between fat loss and weight loss, the role of quantified nutrition, the psychological impacts of body image and weight management, and the power of habit formation in achieving sustainable results.The conversation highlighted how personal experiences, understanding the science behind nutrition, and implementing simple, sustainable habits can lead to significant changes in one's health and well-being. It also emphasized the need for patience, perseverance, and a focus on health rather than just aesthetics.Key takeaways from this discussion include:1. Quantified Nutrition: Understanding and measuring your intake of macronutrients (proteins, carbs, fats) according to your body's needs can significantly impact weight management and overall health.2. The Importance of Protein: Increasing protein intake can help with muscle maintenance and growth, especially as one ages, and it can affect hunger levels differently than carbohydrates, potentially leading to more effective weight management.3. Habit Formation: Making small, sustainable changes and focusing on creating healthy habits rather than seeking quick fixes can lead to more lasting health improvements.4. Emotional and Psychological Aspects: Addressing and managing the emotional and psychological aspects of eating and body image is crucial for a successful health and weight management journey.5. Customization and Personal Journey: Recognizing that each individual's journey is unique and requires a personalized approach based on their preferences, lifestyle, and goals.6. Patience and Consistency: Understanding that results may not always be immediate or linear, and that consistency and perseverance are key to achieving long-term goals.This conversation serves as a reminder of the complexity of health and fitness journeys and the importance of a holistic, informed, and patient approach to achieving and maintaining health and wellness.Chapter timelines0:00 Introduction4:00 Flashback11:59 The emotional impact of weight gain15:15 Getting beyond fads20:53 Simplifying lifestyles 23:34 What is Quantified nutrition31:37 Challenges of emotional eating36:53 Power of Habits43:54 The Japanese idea of Umami50:26 Setting the right expectations on results 1:00 The fun Q&A round1:03:24 The last word
In conversation with ultra runner Aum Gandhi, who is through his efforts amplifying the message around mental health and the South Asian experience in America. In his early 20s, Gandhi, then 29, embraced a sedentary lifestyle that resulted in weight fluctuations and mental health challenges, intensified by the demands of a high-stress engineering job. However, a transformative shift occurred when he casually took up running five years ago. This seemingly simple decision sparked a profound change as Gandhi developed an insatiable thirst for pushing his limits.What began with a modest 5K soon evolved into more ambitious challenges—a half marathon, followed by the ultimate feat of completing a full marathon. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Gandhi discovered the exhilarating world of trail running, which ultimately propelled him to achieve a remarkable milestone in April 2021: conquering his first 100-mile race.Gandhi's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing physical activity, not only for the body but also for mental well-being. His progression from a sedentary lifestyle to conquering ultra-distance races exemplifies the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for personal growth through determined pursuits.
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Hana Asano.
In conversation with Harshal Patil, a co-runner at the Mystic Miler running group , who has grown as a runner from barely running a few miles to running mutiple marathons with elan. Additionally he has been running faster and most efficiently , while also shedding 16 Lbs of extra weight in the process.We get behind the scenes on his journey.Chapter timelines0:00 Intro and background3:28 Flashback 5:35 Impact of hectic work-life 8:26 Start of fitness journey11:05 The scaling of running journey13:38 The first 10k and Half Marathon16:33 The upside of COVID shutdown19:38 Weight loss with running21:11 Getting faster organically 23:37 The pivot to a full marathon 28:17 Resetting confidence for a full marathon33:08 What is appealing about the full marathon 38:54 An breakthrough 2023 44:21 Why the Boulder marathon45:54 Trail running 50k52:15 What’s next on the horizon56.21 The fun Q&A round
In conversation with Manjeet Singh, tech exec, functional fitness coach and Spartan racer.Manjeet can be reached on Instagram handle @coachmanjeet and on Facebook.An fascinating conversation around the importance of functional fitness and how it can be accomplished with little time our busy life throws at us.Chapter timelines0:00 Introduction2:56 Flashback 7:55 Staying active during young adulthood13:30 Influence of wrestling 19:55 Impact of traditional eating styles to health 24:00 South Asians at higher risk of lifestyle diseases28:39 The big bets for longevity 34:08 The need to self-experiment 36:25 Agile fitness during travel 38:33 The power of identity 41:38 The Spartan racing journey 48:15 How to train for a Spartan race52:54 What’s next on the horizon 1:00:35 Fun Q&A round1:10 The last word
In conversation with a dear friend, Dr Srinivas Panja who along with his wife Nirmala Panja, are learning to deal grief of losing their dear son to suicide in 2022. What makes them extraordinary is the fact that, instead of getting buried in pain, they have chosen to redirect energies tin bringing awareness to mental health issues among youth , by starting the The RunforJeev (www.runforjeev.com) . The foundation aims to bring awareness and resources to the mental health crisis through strategic projects and partnerships. Additionally, the foundation will focus on enabling a conversation amongst the South Asian community in America, where mental health is often not a comfortable topic of candid conversation.The RunforJeev foundation also organizes an annual 5k run/wak in Nov, the net proceeds of which go to the foundation . You can sign up for the event or make donations through this link https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Shanendoah/RUNFORJEEV?aflt_token=GXnZyRPOxQaYu2xZzovTHAZdrcyRYAmv
0:00 Introduction and background
3:02 A life thats turned upside down
6:52 Lessons from dealing with grief
12:22 Supporting each other as partners
19:00 The power for reframing
20:12 The power of running and yoga
25:53 The power of social connections
28:06 The story behind Run for Jeev Foundation
In conversation with Arthus Del Rio, a former Navy Seal , and co-founder of Team RED4. Founder, Arthus Del Rio, US Navy Seal (Ret) races in honor of all of those who have served, are serving, and will serve the SEALs. Team RED4 is a non-profit race team dedicated to highlighting Naval Special Warfare Foundations. You can learn more about the foundation and make donations at https://teamred4.orgChapter timelines0:00 Intro and background 4:19 A quick background about the Navy Seals foundation 7:41 The journey to becoming a Navy Seal10:21 Getting into Triathlon18:14 Getting into the Navy Seals program at age 3321:27 Secret of getting through intense Navy Seal training 22:28 What’s a Hell week27:15 Graduating the Nave Seal program34:46 The dive phase of Nave Seal program43:47 Triathlon journey post Nave Seal retirement 47:46 Starting the Ironman journey 49:30 Training for Ironman51:14 Virtual self supported full Triathlon in pandemic58:01 Qualifying for for Ironman world championships1:01 Doing back to back Ironman1:05 Nutrition and Salt :The secret of super endurance 1:09 Art’s salt and gel protocol1:19 The Nice France Ironman Championship story1:23 What else is working for performance 1:28 The Fun Q&A round1:38 The last word
In conversation with the amazing Jayme Linker from Colorado.
Jayme's story is about second chances , and making the best use of it. From struggling with eating disorder to finding purpose in her competitive endurance ocean rowing , she is pure inspiration .
In 2021 she participated in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge on a mixed pair team which it took her 51 days and change to complete.
On June 12th, her mixed pairs team Aloha Kai will be rowing the Mid-Pacific where she will become the 1st US-born female to row both of these oceans.
Jayme rows to raise money for Eating Disorder Awareness as she has suffered from an eating disorder for over 2/3 of her life and has dedicated her life to helping others not suffer like she has.
0:00 Intro and Background 2:57 Flashback, where it all started 4:59 What caused the eating disorder/and its impact 11:26 The beginning of Endurance lifestyle 13:28 How did water enter the scene 16:26 Prepping for a ocean row 23:00 Competing in ocean rowing 24:00 Navigation 25:53 The difference in rowing Atlantic and Pacific 29:02 Scary moments 30:42 Rowing in the night 32:51 Importance of mind control 34:31 The Bear Moose Hideaway Foundation for Eating Disorder 42:11 What’s next is circumventing the ocean 58:40 The last word
In conversation with Amit Bhosle , a techie from Seattle on his jounrey of weight loss that turned into a path to endurance sports. From his start in road road running combined with passion for mountaineering, that eventually culminated into his quest for the 100 miler.
The 100 miler is the gold standard for ultra runners, kind of like what a 26.2 is for road runners.
We get behind the scenes on his amazing jounrey and take some simple yet powerful life lessons .
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background 3:45 Flashback, where it all started 18:14 Getting into mountaineering 23:26 Evolving into ultras 32:07 The first 100 miler attempt 43:34 What eventually nailed a 100 miler finish 52:40 The top 3 lessons 1:00:10 What next on the horizon 1:01:25 The fun Q&A round 1:08:47 The last word
ultrarunning
In conversation with the incredible Sonia Ahuja, who recently became the first Indian-origin woman to compete and finish at the top 5 spots in the Badwater 135, considered to be the highest foot race in the world.
Furthermore, she has distinguished herself as a world-class elite ultramarathon runner. In September 2022 she came first overall in the 100-mile Miami Florida Ultramarathon and then in January 2023 she ran the 135-mile Brazil Ultramarathon, where she set the record as the fastest female, coming in third overall and was the fastest international runner.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Introduction 3:48 How and why it All got started 8:47 Shifting to longer runs 14:39 Pivoting into ultras 17:52 The Pandemic effect 21:18 The need to push more mindset 23:39 How did the winning mindset develop 28:09 Winning the Miami Florida and Brazil 135 36:02 Why get a podium finish 38:53 The Badwater 135 journey 47:51 How to prepare for the Badwater race 53:32 How did it feel to finish on top at Badwater 58:39 How to deal with a missed goal 1:04:15 The top lessons that are working 1:09:23 What’s next in the horizon
In conversation with Maneesh Rai, a multi-time Ironman finisher. We get behind the scenes on his journey of fitness. Key lessons include tips on swimming long distances, the power of habits, and how to build consistency.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Background and Intro 2:57 Flashback 13:14 Journey to the first Ironman 17:34 Swimming the Alcatraz 25:26 Fixing the running gap 29:06 The top 5 best practices that is working 29:46 Have a plan 32:47 Importance of Consistency 33:50 Importance of Cross training 36:06 Manage injury proactively 39:09 Focus on distance, not speed 43:58 Nutritional strategies 47:11 What’s next in the journey 51:02 Fun Q&A round
In a conversation with Anusuya Ashok again on her second stint in the podcast She was featured in episode 62, where we talked about her incredible running journey, check it out. Anusuya is first a Saree runner, then an ultra runner and now she is an ultra yogini ( YTT200 USA Yoga Alliance Certified) and also a level 2 nutritionist. Check her Instagram handle @anu_lokha to learn about how to get super flexible using yoga.
In this outing, we focus on her move to N America, and how she managed to keep her fitness alive in a completely new place, new culture, and new colder weather conditions.
Chapter timeline
0:00 Intro and background
4:02 Transition to N.America
8:09 Learning to live amidst snow
9:07 Self-motivation mantra
12:57 Yoga
21:49 Restart running in America
28:53 Running in a Saree in America
30:52 Differences in Running in India versus America
37:43 Fun Q&A round
37:59 What’s new in food choices
41:24 Favorite time of workout
42:44 What’s new in Gadgets
43:49 What’s the best compliment you got
45:15 What’s the hardest criticism you have got
49:21 Wrap up, the guest's last word
In conversation with Ricky Singh, on his incredible journey of well-being and fitness. We get behind the scenes on why it started and how it became a project of relentless pushing of limits.
Highlights of his accomplishments include 50 state marathon club, summiting Mt Everest and Mt Manasalu, finishing the Badwater ultramarathon, and a gamut of other 100 miler races. That's incredible given he started only in 2005 and went all out while raising a family and running a business.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
2:42 Flashback
5:33 The first marathon
6:51 What was the motivation
9:10 Why pick running
12:36 The approach to scale
13:37 Beginning of mountaineering journey
22:33 Mt. Everest summiting experience
26:56 Transformative Nature of Mountaineering
34:08 The ultra running journey
38:04 Why push the limit
39:54 Did breakdowns happen?
41:25 What does the family think
45:50 Ricky’s top 5 lessons
51:11 What’s next on the horizon
54:08 The fun Q&A round
1:02:22 The last word
ultrarunning #marathonrunner Kiran Krishnamurthy's roots in running are atypical. An adult-onset runner, who is naturally "underweight" as Kiran describes it, his motivation was to get fit and never about getting in shape.Running was never a passion for him till 2016. It started with Fitbit challenges with friends and found it tough to win by just walking, so he took up running to get more steps in a shorter time span. With a newfound liking for running, he joined the local hiking club. Since then he has been running to explore the beautiful trails in the Bay Area and looking to run marathons/ultramarathons and keep pushing his limits.Chapter timelines 0:00 Intro and background4:07 Flashback to where it all started 9:06 Journey to BQ15:29 Scaling and figuring out nutrition27:02 Running downhill for BQ effort29:43 Dealing with a difficult year33:51 The Pandemic year, a turning point for running 39:49 A self-supported 100 miler 44:49 BQ finally47:17 A unique approach to training, the mid-week long run52:10 The Boston experience 54:26 Journey of the Tahoe 20059:55 Benefit of Yoga to Training 1:04 The Tahoe 200 experience 1:11:53 What’s Next on the Anvil1:114:17 The fun Q&A round1:20:28 The last word
In conversation with the incredible running couple Sadhana and Sudhakar on their journey of conquering the Abbott world majors together.Sadhana is a management graduate who currently works with her family business in the well-known South Indian restaurant chain A2B. Sudhakar is an engineer and tech professional. They have two lovely kids. They are an everyday couple with a common passion for running and well-being, and they achieved this incredible feat together.Chapter timelines 0:00 Intro and background7:20 The beginnings 12:47 Moving to the USA and signing up for the half marathon17:34 The first full marathon21:28 The start of Abbot's major journey 24:23 Running medals as jewelry 30:11 The feeling of shaving off 90 mins for PR32:53 The next three majors39:52 the decision to move back to India42:12 Balancing parental responsibilities44:23 Positive impact on marital relationship 49:04 Training in India 57:58 The Tokyo finale experience 1:08:40 What’s next on the horizon 1:11:05 The fun Q&A round1:20:16 The last word
spirtuality #journey In conversation with Sundar Kumabakonam. Sundar is a technologist In 2016, he quit as Senior Director, Engineering, Broadcom Corporation, and pivoted his life in a different direction, to something he deeply cared about. He started by launching the Tapasya Yogashala in Bangalore. In addition to Hatha Yoga classes, the studio offers Yoga Teacher Training Programs. In his quest for ‘something more than life as usual, and through his voracious reading and learning, he stumbled upon many great teachers and notably Gurdjieff , which provided a way to put theory into practice. He is an active member of the Gurdjieff Foundation of India.We get behind the scenes and learn about some fascinating ideas and people in the conversation.Chapter timelines0:00 Intro and background4:14 The beginning of the spiritual quest6:12 Osho’s Influence9:10 Possibility of past life determination11:54 What about Osho was interesting15:15 The domain of judging28:37 The next big influence34:19 The advice to pause 35:44 Gurdjieff and the Fourth way, the next big influence48:58 AN intro to Ravi Ravindra53:06 What is the Journeyswith.in all about57:05 Why Yoga 1:06 Gurdjieff teaching of the three brains1:12 Why endurance and spirituality are complementary 1:16 The last word
Today's conversation is not with a runner or an ultra-endurance athlete. It's a simpler journey of fitness that an average person struggles with. Most want to look good, feel good, and be healthy. And Sukumar's down-to-earth wit makes his journey personable. He has made it work with persistence. We get behind the scenes on this fascinating journey, starting with wanting to get fit to find a marriage partner and the ensuing quest for fitness thereafter.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:45 The beginnings
8:36 The exercise conundrum
13:03 Stumbling into the WHY
21:45 The top three practices that helped
24:33 The tiny habit method ( freedom from demotivation )
30:52 Changing food habits
35:07 Concept of Tiny Grit and Reducing procrastination
46:14 What’s next is walking around planets
50:38 Fun Q&A round
57:42 The last word
In conversation with Ultra cyclist Shankar Muniyappa, who started as a commuter cyclist and scaled to endurance cycling. He also supported his friends to partake in a fitness lifestyle by creating a community. What's more, he does this along with his lovely wife, proving that the pursuit of endurance hobbies can be an enabler in marriages. His is a fascinating journey of growth and leadership. Shankar has penned an article on bicycling safety, Prep URL: https://www.rsvp-challenges.org/archives/cycling-safety-tips
Some of his recent adventures include the following
- Couple: Beartooth Pass (Montana) 30 miles and 6,000 feet climb at 11,000 feet altitude
- Couple: Deathride (Markleeville, CA): 100 miles and 14,500 feet elevation gain
- Couple: Mt. Whitney Bike and Hike in 24 hours: (1) Ride: 36 miles and 5,000 feet climb (2) Hike 21 miles and 7,400 feet elevation gain
- Low to High (L2H) Death Valley (Bad Waters) to Mt. Whitney: 147 miles and over 15,000 feet elevation gain
- Double Century: 200 miles and over 14,000 feet elevation gain
Chapter timelines
0:00 Background Introduction
3:45 Backstory
6:27 Selecting a proper bicycle
11:33 Cycling in the growing up years
13:35 Pivoting into endurance bicycling
17:58 Big changes to lifestyle to get fitter
21:50 Changes to nutrition
24:58 Improving power and cadence
28:06 The big rides with the wife to Bearttooth
34:01 The Mt Whitney adventure
38:28 The death ride adventure
43:25 Nutrition during rides
47:16 Creating a community challenge
58:59 What’s next on the horizon
1:00:57 Fun Q&A round
1:06:12 The last word
In conversation with Mahesh Nambiar. Mahesh is a coach, mentor, and consultant facilitating unprecedented personal and professional outcomes for individuals and teams vis-à-vis leadership, organizational development and change management, and process consultancy. Mahesh has dedicated himself to the pursuit of supporting others in producing the unthinkable and the unimaginable for the last 27 years and has altered the work and lives of over 150,000 people globally. Mahesh also received the Priyadarshini National Award and Conference Rashtriya Ekta Award Issued by the All India National Unity Conference.
0:00 Intro and background
4:23 What is peak performance
7:17 Should we be effort or outcome focused
9:15 Why being results-driven isn’t satisfying
11:53 What is behavior
13:08 How do define the purpose
15:43 What’s the purpose if our well being
18:44 How to know if one is operating at the peak
21:39 Rat race versus operating at peak
23:24 Making what you say as important
24:42 What pitfalls should we look out
28:54 How to handle multiple priorities
33:29 Handling the lows
40:19 Wrap up
In conversation with Dr. Sripathi Kethu , on his amazing accomplishment of 38 marathons in 12 months to achieve the 50 states club in the US. Sripathi has been on episode 7 of the RunYogi Diaries podcast where we talked about his running journey. In the episode, we get behind the scenes on he executed a 38-marathon project in 2022.
0:00 Introduction and background
3:35 The ground zero of the 50 states project
6:07 The decision to do it in 12 months and logistics
13:58 Managing double marathons
15:33 Goal setting for finish times
17:09 Challenge of self-motivation
18:54 Staying healthy in-between marathons
20:17 Nutritional strategy
22:32 The scheduling challenge
23:45 Managing family commitments
25:28 Managing multiple terrains
27:05 The mental hack
29:57 The Sripathi rating of highlighted marathons
30:22 The most challenging one
36:24 The most fun marathon
37:11 The best-organized one
37:37 The worst organized
38:55 The best crowd support marathon
40:48 The smallest-size marathon
41:50 The largest-size marathon
42:21 The most complicated travel
46:17 The best marathon of all
49:10 What’s next in the hopper
51:14 The last word
In conversation with the incredible Vikas Malik, a physicist by training (PhD in physics), Food Analytical Scientist by profession and Ultrarunner by passion. Vikas also is a practitioner and evangelist of the High Fat Low Carb ( HFLC, also known as the ketogenic) diet.
He is one of the fastest 100-mile finishers from India, with a time of 18 hours and 20 minutes in 2017 at The Hennepin Hundred, IL) where he finished in the top 10. Vikas also was part of the Indian National team for the 100k world championship in 2018.
Vikas started off as a road runner, where he continued to get faster as well, with a 3.45 hr finish in his first marathon to a 2.47 finish PR in a span of a few years.
His podium finishes in ultras are impressive as below
Course Record - Badger Trail Races b... 100K
2022 Badger Trail Races b... 50K - 1st place
2019 Badger Trail Races b... 100K - 1st place
2016 tBunk Endurance Chal... 50 Miler - 2nd place
In conversation with Jeev Singh of London. Jeev is a successful tech executive in the banking Industry in London. His journey to well-being through running which led to highly conscious living is fascinating. As a deep thinker, the insights in the conversation were pure gold. He can be followed on his Instagram handle @desi.runner
0:00 Intro and Background
5:38 Flashback, to where it all started
10:09 What triggered the change
13:56 Signing up for the Athens marathon
19:22 Life beyond the first marathon
22:45 Pivoting to trail running
30:05 Inception of environmental consciousness
32:18 Going longer into ultras
36:50 The 100 miler
30:04 Mantra for digging deep
42:33 Problem-solving obstacles
46:34 Goal-oriented workouts
48:20 Healing injuries
52:37 What is the Ayurvedic lifestyle
1:00 The Satvic lifestyle conundrum
1:09 What happened to the toxic habits
1:12 The Green Runner initiative
1:30 Fun Q&A round
1:39 The last word
In conversation with Coach Pramod, the chief coach of Jayanagar Jaguars( JJ), one of Bangalore's oldest running groups, that's grown into a premier coaching organization. Pramod, a multi-faceted individual with interests in theater, technology, and fitness, has trained over 7000 people to pursue their fitness and endurance goals. A sprinter himself during his growing-up years, Pramod has successfully pivoted his passion for running into a mission for the greater community good.
A believer in a structured approach to improving performance, he has also forayed into collaborating with coaches in Kenya to bring best practices back to India.
He believes everyone runner, no matter their current levels must and can pursue their best. We get behind the scenes of his amazing journey.
0:00 Intro and Background
3:45 Flashback, to where it all started
9:44 Focusing on career
16:07 A fit family
18:23 How did Jayanagar Jaguar happen
20:43 The new innings of racing
23:08 Coaching journey at JJ
30:01 Finding time for multiple commitments
36:49 Resilience of women athletes
39:30 Managing JJ’s growth
43:42 Motivating trainees and scaling operations
48:57 The Kenya influence
53:59 Why everyone should pursue ones passion
59:05 What’s next on the horizon, the focus on youth
1:02:56 The fun Q&A round
1:08:39 The last word
In conversation with Dipa Patel, who had to fight the cultural and gender baggage growing up in America, to pursue her passion of log distance bicycling and eventually become an Ironman triathlete. Her story is inspiring to many women of South Asian descent who may find themselves in similar circumstances and are held back either through limiting self-beliefs or lack of representation. You will enjoy this very light-hearted yer insightful conversation with Dipa Patel.
0:00 Intro and background
3:15 Flashback to how it all started
7:57 The beginning of the bicycling journey
10:56 The cycling tragedy
16:46 The start of long-distance running
19:30 beginning the triathlons
24:58 Cross-fitness between running and bicycling
28:33 Barriers for South Asian women in endurance sports
36:28 Finding time to train
40:32 Injuries
42:09 Nutrition
51:10 What’s next on the horizon
57:11 Fun Q&A round
1:02:50 The last word
Vishal's story underscores the fact that you will never know unless you try. For someone who started running at age 38 with absolutely no prior running history,, to have gotten fast enough to qualify for the Boston marathon is an incredibly inspiring tale. You will love this conversation.
0:00 Intro and background
4:02 Flashback, to where it all started
6:09 Scaling from half marathons to full
8:14 The journey to qualify for the Boston
14:25 The Mountains to Beach marathon
18:20 Injury prevention strategies
19:31 The Boston marathon experience
25:09 Nutritional strategies
29:22 Why pivot to Triathlons
35:58 The open water scene in Bay Area , CA
38:02 The Ironman Experience
41:54 The Arizona Ironman 140.6
43:09 Tweaks for training for an Ironman
45:52 The New York Marathon experience
51:25 Fun Q&A round
In conversation with Satish Gogineni, the Hyderabad-born mountaineer, who climbed not one but two mountains in a single day. Satish summited Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse — the first and fourth highest peaks in the world – within 20 hours of each other, in one single expedition. This makes him the fastest Indian to achieve the double summit, a feat less than 100 climbers in the world have managed.
In conversation with Shajan Samuel, who takes us behind the scenes on his formidable journey of personal transformation through fitness. Once overweight and feeling lost, Samuel used running to find purpose and meaning in his life. But in the beginning, it wasn't easy, after discovering that even running 100 meters was a herculean task, he went on a quest to transform himself physically and mentally. Among other things, he moved to live in the Mumbai slums to embrace an austere lifestyle that changed him completely. Over the last 10 years, he has completed 12,24 & 36 hours of stadium runs, Malnad Ultra, Rann of Kutch, Berlin Marathon, Deccan Ultra & countless other runs.
Youtube version
https://youtu.be/tm1iy5fcV1M
In conversation with Arnab Banerjee, Seattle-based ultra runner and alpine-style mountaineer who was originally in episode 75 of the podcast. He is back on the seat to talk about his latest adventure, the Bigfoot 200 miler foot race in the beautiful Cascade mountains of Washington, that had a 40% DNF this year. Bigfoot 200 is a tough point-to-point 200-mile race that needs guts, intense training, and passion. Arnab is also the only South Asian finisher in the 2022 contingent of 200+ participants.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/s7_NxIUs82w
In conversation with Madhu Nagaraja, an incredible athlete who found his way back to his passion perchance amidst a personal breakdown. Sometimes, bad things happen for the good.
Here is Nagaraja's incredible Open Water Swimming Career summary
Open Water Swimming Career
- He is a Patron of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
- He serves as a Marathon Swimming Mentor.
- On 3 August 2003, he finished 19th in the 10 km Capitola Santa Cruz Pier-to-Pier Swim in Santa Cruz, California in 2 hours 57 minutes 50 seconds at the age of 32.
- On 10 August 2004, he completed a 33.8 km crossing of the English Channel from England to France in 12 hours 31 minutes at the age of 33.
- he participated in a relay across the Maui Channel from the island of Lanai to the island of Maui in 2008
- he completed the Marathon Des Sables in 2010
- On 29 July 2012, he completed a 41.3 km crossing of Lake Ontario from Lakeside Park to Coronation Beach Park in Oakville, Canada in 24 hours 26 minutes 3 seconds at the age of 41 to join the 24-hour club
- he swam a mile in each of the Great Lakes of Canada in 2016 together with Mauro Campanelli, Loren King, Lynn De Lathouwer Rodgers, Bud Seawright, Hilda Leahy, and Geoff Farrow.
- he completed a crossing of the Strait of Magellan in Chile in December 2017 together with Michelle Macy.
- He is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, appointed in late 2021.
- Queens platinum jubilee medal
In conversation with Tarun Chandrasekhar on his journey to Ironman as a Type 1 Diabetes situation. Tarun and Polly ( episode 102) are a Husband and wife duo who have managed to lead an active lifestyle as a family. We get behind the scenes on Tarun's side of the story. This episode is so much fun and full of great learnings.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
4:17 Flashback, how it all started
6:23 Meeting Polly
7:30 Long-distance bicycling
10:10 Beginning of Running
14:55 Living with Type 1 Diabetes
19:33 Pivot into the world of triathlons
28:07 Managing training amidst a busy work schedule
30:31 The first Ironman experience ( Indiana)
36:39 The Ironman Texas experience
40:37 Road-bike versus the TT bike
45:32 What’s next on the horizon
In conversation with the incredible Dr. Polly Niravath, who has had an amazing journey of marathons and triathlons for over a decade. We get behind the scenes on how she did it all, despite having a busy schedule as a doctor, parent, and homemaker.
0:00 Intro and background
2:53 Flashback, why and how it all started
4:45 How exercise can help fight cancer
8:13 How long from couch to 5k
10:19 Early mistakes and lessons
15:31 The step up to the first full marathon
16:37 The positive rub-off on kids
19:52 Role modeling for self-care
23:56 Balancing priorities
25:08 The first marathon experience
27:30 Conquering fear of water for Triathlons
34:55 Scaling the Triathlon journey
36:40 Dealing with a DNF
37:41 The first 140.6 Triathlon
42:27 The First IRONMAN, IMTX 2022
43:13 Dealing with an Injury 2 weeks prior to race day
46:44 “Ironmind”
48:34 Building confidence through training
50:58 Finding time to train for IRONMAN
53:16 What next on the horizon
54:31 Fun Q&A round
59:55 The Last word
mountaineering #denali In conversation with ultra-endurance athlete and mountaineer, Saurabh Bhasin on how to prepare for something as challenging as climbing Mt. Denali. We get behind the scenes on how he did it. Also, check out episode #61 if you are interested in Saurabh's journey in ultra-endurance including 140.6 triathlons and ultras.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:00 Getting re(started)
6:39 Training for the summit
16:54 Beginning of the trek
18:14 What happens at the gear check
19:57 Packing for the trek
21:53 Heading to Talkeetna,AK for a bush plane
22:28 The Denali base camp
23:32 Pushing to camp 1 (pic)
28:29 Pushing to camp 2 (pic)
31:15 Pushing to Camp 3
33:35 Camp 4, 14k ft ( pic)
33:48 West Buttress Ridge ( Pic)
35:10 Summit attempt day(pic)
36:47 The emotional state on day of the summit
41:09 The summit
43:09 Making your way back
46:12 How are teams created
48:23 How are effort and push determined for climbs
59:04 How does one process an amazing achievement
54:32 What’s next on the horizon
In conversation with Badhri Chakravarty who started running after he turned 50, and has not looked back. He started his running journey from scratch and discovered he is good at it. He shows us that it's never late to discover something about yourself. From getting faster to finishing all the 50 states, he is on a path to 100 marathons. We get behind the scenes on his fun and inspiring journey.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
2:44 Flashback to where the running journey started
6:21 The first half marathon
8:31 Why running
11:44 The first full marathon
12:57 Scaling to more marathons
13:48 How the Chicago marathon changed perspective
15:52 Aspiring to do Boston
18:05 Starting to run after 50
18:29 Doing the Boston Marathon
21:48 Key success factors for consistency
24:48 The importance of family support
26:42 Dealing with others’ cynicism
27:57 The three people who inspire Badri
32:48 The project management mindset
35:26 The Big Sur marathon
39:46 The training approach
45:01 Race strategy
48:49 The funny episode in Alaska marathon
54:21 Views on stretching and strength
55:45 Importance of hydration
57:43 On the path to 100 + marathons
59:26 Why no ultras and trail runs
1:01:47 The Fun Q&A round
1:08:34 Wrap up and final word
In conversation with Gauri Jog on her journey of running from ticking off a bucket list to doing an Iron distance Triathlon in a matter of just 4 years. She started running with Team Asha in 2016 and participated in two races that year, the San Francisco Half Marathon and Portland Full Marathon. In 2017, she coordinated the running program and was the fundraising coordinator for team Asha. In 2018, she took on participating in triathlons, eventually doing the full Ironman in 2020.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:52 Flashback on how it all got started
7:04 The first run
10:22 Physical activity growing up
12:23 The first big race
14:39 The meditative experience in the first full marathon
20:07 Dealing with a layoff through running
23:22 Getting involved in coordinating for Asha
26:54 Beginning of the Triathlon journey
31:05 Learning to do longer and open water swims
38:41 Committing to do an Iron distance
45:43 Overcoming the mental block
49:01 The Asha 140.6 full triathlon
55:01 What’s next on the horizon
56:54 The Fun Q&A
1:00:06 The last word
In conversation with Santhosh Padmanabhan, a man on a mission of using running as a tool for empowerment for adults and children alike. He founded Runner's High ( https://runnershigh.in) as a social enterprise and not as a non-profit or just a profiteering business. They have volunteers from the community coming forward to support all initiatives and currently have served over 10,000 runners. Running is a simple yet beautiful activity that can open a world of learning for anyone. Runner’s High is a social enterprise, inspired by the infinite possibilities of learning and growth that running as a sport offers.
Ever since it took off, Runner’s High has worked with children in Ananya Trust, Sita School, Spastics Society of Karnataka, Shristi Special Academy, Thulir, Snehadaan, and Asha.
Chapter Timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:48 Flashback on how running entered life
11:28 Moving to the US and change of perspective
15:13 The Austin Asha phase
24:05 AT crossroads, figuring out what to do
26:40 Angst against societal unworkability
28:00 Taking Running into education
34:10 The birth of Runners High
39:07 Why runners are a happy bunch
42:13 Family’s reaction to an unusual journey
44:38 How Runners-high has spread
50:10 What was happening to personal running journey
54:57 Anandayana, a unique running event
1:01:46 Will there be a future Olympian
1:09:03 What next on the horizon
1:13:33 The fun Q&A round
1:18:50 The last word
Motorsport racing is an endurance sport The sport demands mental and physical fitness at the highest levels, especially if you are behind the wheel.
An emerging sport in India, it's a pleasure to be in conversation with this young man pursuing his passion. In conversation with the 16-year-old Rishon who has been racing since 2017. In just 5 years his accomplishments have been very impressive in Karting both at the International and National levels. In his Debut year, right off the mark, Rishon won the best newcomer award and also won the 2nd runner up at the FMSCI Rotax Max Indian National Championship 2017 in Micro level. In 2018 he moved to the Junior Max category. In his first year in junior class, he won many accolades, two 2nd places and a third-place to his credit, and finished an impressive 4th place in the championship standings. Rishon made his International Debut in the Trofeo easy kart Italian Championship in 2018 and his best race result was in round 5 where he finished 5th place. He has had several top 10 finishes ending 8th in the overall championship standings. In 2019 Rishon was selected to represent India in the CIK FIA world championship 2019 by the Federation of motorsports India. He was qualified among the finalist in 2 rounds. His best race finish was 6th place. He has expanded his racing experiences in the CIK FIA World championship 2019. In the same calendar year, he did the X-30 junior level in India, Rishon finished in 3rd place in spite of missing round 2 of the championship as he had to attend the CIK FIA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2019. In 2019 Rishon was also leading the FMSCI Rotax Max Indian National championship in Junior max with 3 first place wins and a second and third place wins but had a DQ to his disadvantage and lost the championship. In 2020 Rishon did only round 5 of the X-30 FMSCI Indian Karting Championship 2020 in a SENIOR category where he finished 1st place. In the same year, in 2020 Rishon became the National Champion by winning the FMSCI ROTAX MAX INDIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 in junior max and also won THE BEST DRIVER OF THE YEAR 2020. In the year 2021, After Karting Rishon took part in the National formula open-wheel racing championship 2021, the MRF Formula 1600. In his very first year, he claimed the 2nd runner-up title in the overall championship 2021. He ended the season on a high note by winning the final 2 races of the championship. He also got the best lap timing to end the championship.
In conversation with Bipul Talukdar, an accomplished ultra runner that is the only South Asian to have completed the triple crown of 200 miler foot races. He did this in 2021, in addition to his Cocodona 240 finish that made it a total of four 200 miler races in the same year. His running journey started in 2011, with TeamAsha, Silicon Valley Running Program that trains adults to run half marathons to raise funds for underprivileged children’s education in India. We get to the backstory of this amazing endurance journey, the how and the why of it.
Bipul can be followed on his Instagram handle @talespinboy
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro
4:25 Flashback on where it all started
8:09 Starting with marathons and scaling to ultra
12:28 Changes in lifestyle due to running
14:29 Who inspired the scale
18:16 The alternative to High volume training
30:37 Effect of training on mental health
34:38 Four 200 hundred miler year
36:01 How does a Virtual Tahoe 200-mile race work
44:23 The first two hundred miler experience
49:41 How to avoid blisters
55:58 The Big Foot 200 experience
58:03 Can a trail runner take in the scenery
1:02:58 What is mental strength
1:06 The Moab 240
1:10 How the body adapts
1:13:31 Spiritual dimension of ultra running
1:17 What next
1:26:08 The last word
Ram started his running a decade back. Starting with a local marathon, he scaled his journey to running marathons across the country and internationally. His pivotal moment came when he decided to give triathlons a try. Like all adult-onset swimmers, he overcame his trepidation for water and mastered the pool and open water. His first Ironman was in April 2022 in Woodlands, Texas. We get behind the scenes on his incredible fitness journey that lead to the first Ironman finish.
0:00 Intro and background
4:11 Flashback, where it all started
7:52 The first marathon
13:05 Scaling
15:01 Learning from early mistakes in training
20:36 Dealing with Injury
22:37 Pivoting into ultras and triathlons
25:13 Mastering swimming
30:35 Is endurance sport purely physical
32:02 Overcoming the swim handicap
34:00 How to train for a Triathlon
40:00 What next on the horizon
41:51 The Fun Q&A round
47:14 Wrap up message
In conversation with Nattu Natraj, the first known person of Indian origin to do Badwater 135, a tough grueling ultra foot race. The Badwater marathon is 135 miles of hell in 140F temperatures. From Death Valley to Mt. Whitney. It gets so hot that shoes melt on asphalt. Therefore, the runners often seek solace on the white strips on the side of the road, where it is relatively less hot. To prep for Badwater, Nattu completed the Marathon Des Sables. Marathon des Sables, or MdS, (French for Marathon of the Sands, also known as Sahara Marathon)[1] is a six-day, 251 km (156 mi)[2] ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons. This multi-day race is held every year in southern Morocco, in the Sahara Desert. It has been regarded as the toughest foot race on Earth. Additionally, Nattu has completed over 150 ultras including the Western States 100 and Hurt 100. Nattu and his wife Karen Bonnett Natraj ( Episode 92) are active members of the ultra community inspiring many to lead a healthy lifestyle.
0:00 Intro and background
6:22 Flashback to where it all started
11:23 Choosing the Badwater 135 as a goal
13:08 Doing the Marathon des Sables to qualify for Badwater
17:03 The beginners mistake at Marathon des sables
23:54 How to train for Marathon des sables
28:35 Prepping and Running the Badwater 135
33:12 How do grueling ultras change you
38:38 Motivations change with age
41:00 The western states
44:33 Finishing the most challenging Ultra, The Hurt 100
47:03 Food choices in ultra
52:30 The top 3 tips
54:24 What’s next in the horizon
57:36 The Fun Q&A round
Mohan is a technology executive for a day job and an accomplished marathon runner. What started as a casual hobby back in 2010 with a 5k in February of that year, grew quickly into a running adventure that continued until Covid put the brakes on it in February 2020. He ran my very first full marathon in October 2010 in Chicago and has run 110 full marathons, 1 Ultra, and 54 half-marathons to date. What started as a weight loss journey turned into a passion. Mohan has completed a full marathon in all the 50 States plus DC. He has run on the 7 continents including Antarctica and has also run a marathon at the North Pole. He has also completed the World Marathon Majors (Chicago, Boston, New York, London, Berlin, and Tokyo).
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:16 Flashback, to how it all began
9:42 Getting bitten by the running bug
10:18 The First 5k to a full marathon
16:04 The first marathon
18:00 Training by instinct
23:42 How did the marathon bug happen
31:35 Gamefiy the running journey
34:12 Managing high volumes of running
38:58 How did running change over time
41:48 A common-sense approach to running a LOT
43:39 The importance of stretch and massage
46:21 Managing family commitments
47:54 The top memorable marathons
51:56 What next on the horizon
52:22 Food choices and preference
53:27 Fun Q&A round
57:41 Final wrap up message
Karen Bonnett Natraj is a long-distance athlete, and a Life Coach, focusing on Mental Fitness and Performance. While her journey started with cycling in the 1990s when she joined some family members for the MS 150 ride, she went on to "Randonneuring" 1200k rides and later pivoted into the world of ultra running and Ironman. There has been no looking back since she started, as she scaled her performances and qualified for the Boston marathon and the coveted Western States 100. Her 2017 near-miss finish at the Western States has well written about, and we get to get behind the scenes on that epic race.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:02 Flashback of where it all started
6:12 Starting the long-distance bicycling journey
8:00 Randonneuring The 1200k rides
13:07 Fueling for the ultra-long rides
14:59 How did running enter life
17:46 Start of the ultra journey
18:34 Meeting Natu
22:23 Becoming an Iron Man
25:21 Dealing with lack of motivation
27:53 Doing back to back 100 milers
28:30 Strategy for recovery
31:27 What is eat clean
35:12 A new view on wellness and coaching
40:57 Western states 2017 a victory of mindset
49:30 What next on the horizon
56:32 The last word
In conversation with Sapna Agarwal, an advocate for women's health and fitness. Her mission of spreading awareness about important natural cycles, unique to women is invaluable. The infradian rhythm is a 28-day cycle that regulates the menstrual cycle. " Women are not little men", she quips, and rightly so. The fitness protocols that exist today exclude these factors leading to frustration and long-term health impacts. This is a must-listen if you are curious about how one can align natural rhythms to generate the best health outcomes.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
3:00 Flashback, how it all started
6:52 Adaptation, getting fit by cleaning home
8:43 Everything is not honky dory after losing weight
9:50 The self-sabotage phase
10:56 The ownership to change course
13:10 The daily struggle of creating change
18:34 Starting of the running journey
20:02 Discovering speed
22:12 The price of the obsessive runner
24:11 The start of an underlying illness
27:15 The impact of external stress on running
29:39 Leaky Gut syndrome
30:14 Letting the mind do the talking
33:21 The value of functional medicine
35:19 Empathizing one choice
38:01 Body Image and Mental health
40:34 What is Infradian Rhythm
46:13 Lifestyle aligned to a woman’s needs
47:26 Top 3 tips for women’s fitness planning
55:05 The importance of progesterone cycle
1:01:12 Why women should do strength training
1:08:31 What next in the journey
1:11:50 Fun Q&A round
1:17:08 Parting message
Sidharth Routray is the first known Ironman from the state of Odia in India and he takes pride in being a trendsetter. Odia and its people are one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions in India. He is also an avid mountaineer who has done peaks like Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. Denali, Mt. Orizaba, Mt El Plomo, and over 200 others. He is a proud former student of the prestigious National Defence Academy of Dehradun. Currently working as Head of Digital Marketing in San Jose, the Silicon Valley of USA. We get behind the scenes on his amazing journey of personal loss and revival, and how endurance sport has enriched his life.
0:00 Intro and background
3:21 Who is a Payika
6:41 Flashback, early days of endurance /mountaineering
9:05 How to determine location w/o GPS
9:56 The organic farming journey
10:42 Life in LA mountaineering restart
12:12 The Bicycling bug
14:21 Hitting refresh
16:34 Balancing family
18:38 The Triathalon journey
21:58 Breaststroke in the half iron
25:32 Training for full Iron man and time management
29:09 Discipline is not a bad word
32:35 Role of spirituality in endurance
35:15 Summiting the highest peak in South America
40:02 3 weeks to an Ultraman
47:56 Overcoming lows
52:33 What next in the journey
54:08 The fun Q&A round
1:04:07 The last word
In conversation with Neuroscientist, Shrinath Kadamangudi, we explore where the physical stops and the metaphysical begins. Is the human experience merely physical, or is there something more? What is a personal will, and what is the self? A conversation of the brain is incomplete without dwelling on the metaphysical.
In conversation with Neuroscientist, Shrinath Kadamangudi, who for the last 8+years has been dwelling into the science of the brain. He went on to complete a B.S. in Neuroscience from UT Dallas and an MPhil in Neuroscience from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Shrinath is currently in the MD-PhD dual degree program at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He just finished his pre-clinical training and has recently commenced his Ph.D. in Neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Giulio Taglialatela, Director of the Mitchell Center of Neurodegenerative Disease Research, exploring therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s and age-related dementias. Shrinath is an avid fan of philosophy and metaphysics as well and is curious to explore the divergence and intersection of the brain and the spirit.
0:00 Intro and background
3:55 Why the pursuit of NeuroScience
6:29 What is NeuroScience
10:02 What is mapping
14:01 What is the time element in brain function
18:27 Why do we remember only somethings
21:57 Can bain frequencies communicate across bodies
23:20 What is Love
27:46 The main parts of the brain
31:32 The evolutionary organization of the brain
39:15 How to keep Brain healthy
44:51 Impact of stress on brain health
49:29 Why do Neurons die
diet #nutrition #indian
In the house today is Sarika Shah a registered dietitian and nutritionist who inspires everyone to live their best and especially working with South Asians in America. Her mission of keeping ethnic food central to the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle through science is commendable. We get into a 101 on nutritional science so you can make informed decisions around what you eat
You can contact Sarika at https://www.thenourishedrd.com
Chapter timelines
0:00 INTRO AND BACKGROUND
2:24 CHOOSING TO BECOME A DIETICIAN
7:56 NUTRITION 101 THE BUILDING BLOCKS
9:30 MACRONUTRIENTS
18:19 IS THE QUALITY OF PROTEINS IMPORTANT
25:40 THE IMPORTANCE OF FATS
30:42 THE DOWNSIDE OF FRYING
32:29 MICRONUTRIENTS
40:07 BUY CERTIFIED VITAMINS
41:46 IMPORTANCE OF PROBIOTICS
45:21 IS AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE PROBIOTIC
46:20 WHY CHOOSE A NUTRITIONAL COACH
48:31 THE SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
50:44 WRAP UP AND THE LAST WORD
In conversation with a cardiologist who is going beyond traditional modern medicine to provide holistic health to people. As a cardiologist also trained in Energetic Medicine, Angelic Reiki, and as a Soul empowerment life Coach, he helps to empower people's lives. We explore the idea that we were energy and by hacking it we can access our well-being and ability to heal ourselves.
0:00 Intro and background
2:31 Flashback, how it all got started
8:53 How did the pull to alternative healing happen
10:48 What is energy medicine
16:02 How does one make a choice
21:26 The nervous system connection
25:57 The mindset of healing
28:22 Where does one start the balancing energies
37:44 The idea of ultimate fitness
39:14 The connection to Physical fitness
43:51 Knowing your WHY to create balance in endurance
48:38 What is listening to body actually mean
53:00 The other brains of our system
56:31 The last word
In the house today is Dharmendra, aka coach "D " aka Dhammo. Dhammo 's story of pursuing a passion by stepping out of their comfort zone and doing what makes one happy. From pursuing a Boston qualification to leaving a lucrative consulting job to start a coaching practice, his is a fascinating journey. Hope you take some nuggets of wisdom from his story.
0:00 Intro and background
4:02 Flashback and why the running started
7:50 Start of work-life and signing up for the first race
11:53 The New Jersey Marathon
13:47 Taking a sabbatical to pursue BQ
20:37 Training to get faster
27:09 Quitting job to pursue a passion
32:06 The fourth block to performance
33:49 Was leaving the job easy
41:07 The Boston Marathon experience
47:07 The experience of coaching
51:24 Mental health and running
55:10 What next on the horizon
1:01:36 Fun Q&A round
1:12:47 Wrap up the last word
In the house is Colin Turner, who is on a mission to help former athletes regain their fitness at any age, and find joy, fulfillment, and accomplishment. He is a lifelong athlete who is passionate about nutrition and wellness. Over the years, he has discovered what a difference fitness and exercise have made to his mental health, sense of accomplishment, and energy levels. Colin can be reached on his website https://turnerfitnesscoaching.com We get behind the scenes on his journey and listen to his secret sauce for running success.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Background and introduction
2:52 Flashback/How it all started
5:56 Rediscovering to run
8:46 What triggered the need to restart running
10:43 Going back to basics
15:54 The reason for not giving up
16:00 Mental side of endurance
19:43 The importance of mindful running
21:10 The importance of cadence
23:59 Measuring Power as a metric
28:20 The coaching journey
32:00 Measuring quality of sleep
37:19 The approach to nutrition
38:33 What next on the horizon
40:27 The fun Q&A round
health #lifestyle In the house is Sukanya Sridhar, a health lifestyle coach that's making a difference by sharing her success with others. We zoom into the core principles of her coaching. Sukanya shared her personal journey of recovering from cancer and her pursuit of endurance sports in episode 6.
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and background
2:49 The why of lifestyle coaching
5:43 Discovering what it means to be truly healthy
11:08 Key attributes of a healthy lifestyle
18:07 Is the effort to be healthy worth it
23:48 Why do people struggle to prioritize exercise
29:52 The concept of mindful eating
38:24 The importance of rest
42:12 Finding one’s center
48:23 The importance of gratitude
50:05 The importance of relationships
53:33 Role of spirituality in health
In conversation with Dr. Srinivas Panja, Endocrinologist, avid runner, and marathoner. We get into hormone health 101 and learn about the key hormones, their functions, and their relationship to health. Dr. Srinivas Panja bio Dr. Panja earned his medical degree from Kurnool Medical College in India and finished his residency in internal medicine at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee. He completed a fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, Dr. Panja has been in practice since 2005. While he is experienced in a wide variety of endocrine and hormonal disorders, his special clinical interests are the management of diabetes and thyroid nodules, metabolic disorders, and thyroid disorders. He is certified in thyroid ultrasound procedures and fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules.
*Opinions expressed in the podcast are for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical consultation.
0:00 Intro and background
5:29 What are hormones
8:45 Hormone and weight loss-Thyroid
11:56 What causes Thyroid issues
16:37 What is Insulin Resistance
21:12 Other issues due to Insulin resistance
22:36 What causes Insulin resistance
28:26 Is Gluten bad for you
30:43 The third critical hormone, Cortisol
38:22 Hormones and Immunity
42:03 Hormones and athletic performance
43:44 The importance of exercise
47:21 The importance of medical supervision for strenuous exercise
48:42 The role of liver
52:58 Wrap up and summary
marathoner #entrepreneur
Vijay Venugopal is a sub-3 hr marathoner and the CEO of a major supplement brand in India, Fast n’up. WE get behind the scenes of his amazing growth in running marathons , starting from a 4.02 finish to consistently running sub-3 many times over. And we dig into the entrepreneur story of how the supplement brand Fast ’n Up.
0:00 Intro and background
3:52 Flashback the start of running journey
9:52 The first 10k
11:37 The top 3 beginners mistake
16:25 Getting to sub 3 marathon
23:02 The feeling of winning a marathon
27:03 The Run less, Run Fast method
30:11 Running Boston
32:19 The evolution of the running journey
36:30 The spiritual aspect of running
37:16 How did the business journey start
42:40 Supplement industry in India
48:09 What next on the running journey
51:00 Fun Q&A round
58:26 The last word
In conversation with wellness coach, Zumba Instructor and Flow coach Jyothika Dwarkanath on what is holistic fitness. We get behind the scenes on her own personal journey. And ask some fundamental questions about what does fitness actually mean, and the downside of over training.
YouTube link : https://youtu.be/RZxCRgLEnO8
0:00 Intro and background
3:45 Flashback, what got the fitness journey started
8:19 What is TRX
10:51 Is Zumba a good cross training for endurance
13:14 How is to become a well ness coach
16:01 The love of Hiking
17:03 Nutrition and what is mindful eating
29:37 What is FLOW
33:44 The importance of metaphysical
36:57 How to achieve flow states
44:14 What is FITNESS
48:01 What’s next in the journey
52:37 The fun Q&A round
In the house , Gururaj Nayak , a young mountaineer turned runner who does not let his feet injury stop him, has scaled many personal peaks. From leading exciting Himalayan Expeditions, running at the highest elevation ultra at Kardung La , starting marathons at a 4.20 finish and within 2 years achieving a finish time of 3.12 hrs , is a tale of an individual who loves pushing his limits and experiencing joy in the process. We get behind the scenes on this amazing journey
CHAPTER TIMELINES
0:00 Background and intro
3:12 Flashback on how it all started
9:24 The first Himalayan expedition
16:00 Getting the marathon bug
19:38 Getting faster
22:52 Signing up for the Kardung La challenge, the highest race in India
25:03 What’s the motivation 31:28 Prepping for high altitude running
37:29 Pushing a sub 3:30 marathon
41:10 The family concern on running
44:11 Pursuing the Stok Kangri expedition
53:04 What is AMS 1:00:44 The downside of adventure tourism
1:03 The Border 100 miler 1:10 Keeping out negative self talk
1:22 The fun Q&A round
1:27 Wrap up and the last word
You can also read Guru's blog at https://gururajnayak1.blogspot.com
In conversation with Mahesh Nambiar, a dear friend and a personal transformation expert on how to bring the current year to a logical completion , and create space for extraordinary to happen in the new year.
We dig into how to create the space and tools for creation that is powerful and awe inspiring .
0:00 and background
3:22 What is Transformation(versus change)
6:10 Completing the year ( versus ending)
9:32 The key questions to answer for completion
15:26 Distinguishing fact from significance
18:15 Dealing with the commitment ( versus inner judgement )
21:39 The myst of “overweight”
24:14 What exactly is commitment
26:51 What does it mean to be extraordinary
31:01 How the mind runs the show(in the background )
32:56 The Merlin principle ( creating 2022) 41:22 Wrap up
Paul Devillo is the one who believes that he is yet to achieve his athletic peak . In his early 50s that's a refreshing mindset , something any one us can embrace to push ones limits . Endurance sports like much of life is all about mindsets and attitudes, you get what you percieve and act.
Paul isn’t just a believer, he also walks the talk, for someone who just started running just 10 years ago, to have gone from zero to Boston Qualifying times on every outing of his is no mean achievement . His work ethic is inspiring .
We get behind the scenes on the how and why of this fascinating journey .
Approximate Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and Background
5:31 Flashback, where and why it all started
11:25 Begin with walking to ramp up for running
17:38 The upside of treadmill running
19:53 Placing on the the first ever half marathon
26:50 Attitude towards racing
29:46 The first full marathon
33:31 The Boston Qualifying marathon
37:12 The pursuit of sub-3 full marathon
43:06 Balancing life with 100 + weekly miles
46:28 Why not run Boston
47:18 The latest attempt at 2.45 marathon
48:46 The time trial experiments
55:57 The secret sauce for getting faster
1:01:09 What’s next on the horizon
1:06:11 The Fun Q&A round
1:11:14 The last word
Nisha Ramesh's story is if that of a woman who made the hard decision to put family above career. It was a very tough choice. This may as well be the story of many women in our communities , who are the unsung heroes , that delicate their lives to home making and raising family. But over the course of time she discovers the passion for running that transformed her life in ways she didn’t imagine . We get behind the scenes of her life journey and how the pursuit of fitness, self care through running brought joy and anchor to her life.
0:00 Intro and background
4:04 Flashback where it began
6:49 The big decision to be a home maker
12:41 Self care through fitness
20:42 Enter the racing bug/the first 10k
24:42 The journey to first half marathon
31:30 Hoe running fundamentally changed life
33:00 The full marathon journey
40:32 Running is not about only physical fitness
42:15 Life after the first full marathon
43:46 The Athens marathon
46:11 Running is a human experience first
51:57 What’s next in the horizon
53:16 Balancing training and family
56:27 The Fun Q&A round
Shirley Shean in the house today, who at 75 has been running for over 40 years including 8 full marathons, and competing, placing in a gamut of half marathons and shorter distance races. We get behind the scenes of her journey, and the secret to her longevity .
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/t_aELo2K6X4
Chapter timelines
0:00 Intro and Background
3:17 Flashback
7:33 Running in the early 80s
8:16 Running Longer to half and full marathons
15:35 Qualifying for Boston
19:44 The trail bug, Dipsea race
26:13 Dealing with injuries with age
30:58 Motivation
33:59 Nutrition
39:53 What’s next on the horizon
43:11 Fun Q&A round
48:15 The last word
Arnab Banerjee is a quintessential endurance sports enthusiast , because for one he is accomplished mountaineer and runner , but also a person with an eye for capturing the beauty of the great out doors , and someone how reflects on his experiences greatly to learn and grow. We get behind the scenes on his journey .
YouTube link : https://youtu.be/vnUKj0RA_24
In conversation with Sunil Nair, a dear friend, a budding runner, and a self-proclaimed stand-up ( pun intended). We take a dig at ourselves as runners for fun. No egos have been harmed in the process. We look at our lives as a runner, from an obsession with numbers, shoes, fashion, and everything in between. Hope you enjoy this light-hearted conversation!
YouTube :https://youtu.be/DW9cPGB-X-0
The show guest today is Shibani Gulati epitomizes the quote, " When life gives lemons, make lemonade". After a diagnosis of kidney failure in her early 20(s), she fought her way to pave a path of empowerment and happiness. We get behind the scenes how she transformed from feeling like a victim to taking life by its horns and thriving.
YouTube link : https://youtu.be/hqqlmmaY_Qg
Anil Rao is in the house today. Someone who has been at the ultra game for a couple of decades in the San Francisco bay area. His journey is unique because he thrives on the road running as much as he has thrived on the trails. He has a podium finisher in ultras and is in pursuit of a Boston qualifier that he missed by 5 mins in a previous PR. We get behind the scenes on how he built his impressive resume of ultras and marathons, his foray into race direction, and community engagement to develop local trails.
Youtube https://youtu.be/fNeyZqSPwP4
A pleasure to be talking the Ben Proko an 18-time Ironman, Ultraman, Tri coach, and Race Director. Who BTW for his day job teaches kids Music, isn't that incredible? We get behind the scenes on it all began for him, how it became a central theme in his life, and what’s been changing in his journey as a Triathlete, the challenges, and the pleasure of directing his own races. Hope you enjoy and learn a few from this conversation.
Blossom Fernandez is sort of pioneering women's participation in triathlons from India. For a sport that needs access to good infrastructure, involves intense training, and can be darn expensive, the barriers of entry are many. In 2016, if you had her she would be an ‘ironman’, she would probably have been in disbelief. but that’s her story. from a 5k back in 2016 to an ironman in 2019 at Copenhagen. We get behind the scenes on how and why she pursued this journey and take a few lessons for our own pursuits and be unstoppable in making our dreams come true.
In the house in this episode is Prashanth Rao, someone with a story of a mid-life crisis, the sort when you stare at your blood work and everything looks bleak. But he used it to transform his life, who realized all the success and money meant nothing without good health. He then goes on to embrace a healthy lifestyle and become a runner that went to finish a Boston qualifying marathon. No small achievement. He took even further to quit his high-paying tech profession and pivot into a career as a fitness and lifestyle coach. We get behind the scenes how it all happened and what is up to next.
In the house today is a life long runner and more recently a bare foot ultra-runner
He describes himself as a primalist. He is Nutritionist, Qigong , Breathwork and Primal Movement Instructor, World Class Life Empowerment Coach and Holistic Connection Specialist.
He has dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of Self-Connection and Mastery, from studying Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism and Inner Fire to working extensively with Shamanic Plant Medicines and Sacred Space Ceremony.
His mission in life is simple, To show you how to reconnect to the Primal, Elemental Forces within yourself and become the most powerful, liberated version of you possible!
Lets get behind the scenes on what defining moments set him on this path of self discovery off the beaten path…
Davy Crockett is in the house today, someone who has been running ultras for a long time having to his credit over 200 ultras, of which are 105 100 miler races, including a few on a treadmill!!!! In his blog, he says he runs 100 miler races… because he can, because of the challenge, because he enjoys it He is also an ardent historian, and his website www.ultrarunninghistory.com is rich in content about the history of this sport. He is also the Director for the annual ultrarunning hall of fame listing. We get behind the scenes on how it all started, how did it become such a central theme in his life and yet manage balance with family and work, the story behind the ultrarunning history, the treadmill 100 miles, and finally where he is headed next.
In conversation with the amazing Mona Rayachoti, who has a fascinating story of “despising sports” during the growing up years, to now embracing her inner athlete through marathons and triathlons. and additionally, she is effectively using endurance sports for self-care and mental wellness We get behind the scenes how it started, scaled, key lessons along the way that can be valuable to the listeners and where she is headed next in the journey.
YouTube link : https://youtu.be/erxUdcNAtnQ
Dilip Kumar is a pioneer of sorts for his community who are traditionally traders and business people from one of the oldest trading districts of Bengaluru. These are people soaked in the great tradition, culture, and food, but an active lifestyle usually takes a back seat. Dilip breaks that stereotype, he does not mind being the odd man out and setting an example of what's possible. His pursuit of running is now inspiring many in his community to take on healthier lifestyles including his wife who gets his support and empowerment. His journey of running marathons and ultras is filled with passion and adventure, and an ongoing quest for continuous improvement.
In this episode is Anu Singh, a veteran of sorts in the SFO Bay Area running scene running amongst the South Asian community.
Although she started late in her 40s, that didn’t stop her from conquering the marathon, 50k(s) and ultimately the 100 milers, with half iron man thrown in as a cherry on top. What's fascinating about her journey is her transformation from running for self to running for others, pivoting into her foray into coaching along with coach Rajeev Patel, in the process becoming an anchor of support for many in their endurance journeys. We get behind the scenes of this fascinating journey, and also speak about where she is headed next.
Youtube link https://youtu.be/H7WBLtMuomc
In conversation with the incredible Kanchan Kabad who at 65 does not let age slow her down. If there is someone who demonstrates living one’s life fully and with purpose, she would be it.
Her journey embodies the mindset of can do and must do, and she is one the few who gets the big picture, because everything she does includes a big picture, be it be running for fighting cancer or inspiring others to lead a active lifestyle.
Her journey of running and hiking is not merely about physical fitness, its transcendental, its about finding herself and true joy through a higher order purpose.
Give this a view and listen
In today's episode is Anusuya Ashok, a spirited lady who has been pushing boundaries in her running and wellness journey, and she’s doing it as draped in a saree, a commendable act because women who are more comfortable in ethnic outfits can see new doors of possibilities. We speak about how running entered her life, tips on how she scaled her volume to complete full marathons and ultra, the light bulb moment of donning a saree for it, and what's next in her journey.
In the house, today is an ultra-endurance athlete who has no boundaries.
As someone who started his journey as a runner, scaled to be an ultra-runner, he went to complete multiple Ironman triathlons and serious mountaineer. And all this while having a commitment to work and family.
We get behind this fascinating personal journey, how is it that while many struggles to eke out 30 minutes to stay active, some like him pursue a passion and balance it all What makes it possible to learn skills, like swimming and climbing late in one’s life and then finally what’s next on in horizon.
Today, in the house is someone who has successfully pursued her passion for ultras navigating her commitments as a parent, spouse, and professional.
Being a recreational athlete can be demanding, but it seems women have it more difficult for a variety of reasons.
Part of the likely reason, the %age of South Asian women participating in marathons and ultras in the Americas is relatively low We dig into why and how running entered her life, what's her secret sauce for juggling commitments without sacrificing ‘self-care”, the love for trail running and how to do it safely, and finally what's next in her journey
Youtube version on : https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
ultra #running #run4water
It's exciting to have Katie Spotz back on the show, this time to share her latest adventure of running 11 ultras (50k) in 11 consecutive days to raise funds for water projects in under-served communities.
Throughout her adventures, Katie isn’t just seeking to make history. She is also raising money for safe drinking water projects around the world. To date, more than 30,000 people have gained access to clean water through her challenges and events, getting closer to creating a world where everyone, everywhere has clean, safe water. Give water today.
YouTube version : https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
In the house, happy to have the incredible Manmadh Rebba back. From being a non-swimmer once, he went to conquer the water. He did log distance ocean swimming, IronMan, and the Ultraman ( double the distance to the IronMan ). That's his spirit, indomitable and always pursuing more. The Pandemic life didn't stop him either, from conquering the Grand Canyon rim to rim, pivoting into ultra running, and raising funds for the Covid crisis in India, he continues to push boundaries.
Susan Donnelly is amongst the elite list of athletes who have done 100 plus of the 100-mile ultra running races. What exactly is the limit of human endurance you may wonder because when you fathom Susan's accomplishment comes, it baffles one's mind. She has to her credit over 300 ultra-run finishes in a span of 20 years, that's an average of 15 ultras per year. We get the opportunity to understand what's behind the scenes for this incredible achievement., what got her started, what kept her going, how did she find her purpose, her foray into life coaching, and finally what's next in her journey.
everest #mountaineering
In todays’ episode, we have a young man who has made mountaineering the central theme of life. He started trekking at the age of 15 and has completed over 800 treks across Sahyadri's and Himalayan Mountain ranges., eventually summitting Mt Everest at age 24. His mission is to make adventure sport mainstream in India.
Our guest today is Kaushik Sunder , a scientist, musician and budding ultra runner, who recently crossed the finish line of the 250+ miler Cocodona 250, a grueling foot race across the desert landscape of Arizona. What's more fascinating about his story is that he went from zero to 250 miler racing in just less than 5 years. We also a candid conversation around mental health, and the need to be open about it , the need for awareness, and that there need not be shame in seeking help.
Subbu Venkat is a Houston area runner, who has been getting faster and fitter. He is an active community volunteer, having served in HARRA the Houston area runners' association, and more recently on the board of the Chevron Houston marathon. We explore how he got into running, his approach to training that's making him go faster, his love for all things Japan, his touching act of being a live organ donor, and finally what's next in his journey.
Youtube link : https://youtu.be/NWTej-wrOKk
Coach Pani'- as he is fondly called - took up serious running during his Indian Air Force days. While serving the country for 21 years, he also participated in various middle distance running competitions and winning them. He was also head coach Bangalore NRC (Nike Run Club). He is always looking out to learn newer things and enriching his knowledge. He is a certified Personal Trainer (Americal Council on Exercise - ACE) and Level-1 Certified Animal Flow Instructor.
Video on YouTube https://youtu.be/VyWD9ofT8uw
CHAPTERS
0:00 Start
2:33 Flashback, where it all started
13:43 Life after retiring from the forces
17:23 The wake up call after 10 years gap
18:57 The marathon journey
23:45 The six majors
27:51 The secret of maintaining pace/ key training principles
32:37 Approach to Nutrition
34:32 The coaching jounrey
38:43 What about ultras
40:56 Key Beginners mistakes
44:36 Personal fun trivia Q&A
worldrecords #marathons #BQ
In the house today, the incredibly inspiring Gene Dykes, the fastest known 70+ marathoner with a PR of 2:54:23 in 2018.
Dykes has become one of the most prolific and successful septuagenarian racers of all time, winning multiple masters national championships, setting a number of national records, becoming the oldest person ever to run the Triple Crown of 200s (three 200-mile races in a single year), and achieving multiple sub-3 marathons in one year at 70 years (young). You can reach Gene on his website at https://www.ultrageezer.com
In the house today is Pradeep Pise, who recently completed an epic 260+ mile foot race in the deserts and mountains of Arizona.
Pradeep is the average Indian guy, who didn't play many sports growing up, got busy with career and family, and one day wakes up to the possibility of running. What followed is a blossoming passion for marathons and over the last few years, ultra-running. He has to his resume over 40 ultras that include 50 miler and 100 miler races, and more recently the incredibly challenging Cocodona 250.
We explore with him what inspires the need to push limits, training strategies that have helped him scale endurance, what’s changed in his nutrition, what’s the recipe to manage the holy trinity of family/work/training, and finally where he is headed next.
In the 50th episode of the podcast, nothing more special than talking to Danny Dreyer.
Danny Dreyer is the co-founder of ChiRunning and ChiWalking—revolutionary forms of moving that blend the subtle inner focuses of T’ai Chi with running and walking—along with his wife and business partner, Katherine Dreyer. A leader in revolutionizing the running world for the last two decades, Danny based his work on his 30-year practice of T’ai Chi and 45 years of running and racing. He has taught thousands of runners all over the globe how to embrace the principles of intelligent movement to bring energy efficiency and injury prevention to runners and walkers. Danny also effectively trained hundreds of instructors how to accurately teach the methodology of ChiRunning and ChiWalking to help share it with the world.
Pam's started her journey in running during her 20(s) and then took a 12-year hiatus to raise a family until the running bug hit again in her early 40(s). She came back stronger and went on to qualify for Boston marathons multiple times In the last few years, she went to work on her swimming and pivoted into the world of Triathlons. She went ton to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 world championships. Clearly, she seems to be getting better with age, setting new personal bests, and placing in her age group. We talk about her journey and the secret of getting fitter with age.
Rajeev Patel is an all-star in the Bay Area. An accomplished ultra runner, he is also a passionate coach who has supported over 700 runners cross the finish line around the SF Bay area. He is also a pioneer of sorts for the ultra scene amongst the Indian American community. His running experience is so rich and laced with so many initiatives, we spoke at length about how it all started, his philosophy in coaching, his adventures in ultra running, and what's next in for him You can read more about his adventures on his meticulously maintained blog http://rajeevtherunner.blogspot.com
Our guest Chris is a familiar figure in the Texas trail running scene. Some of the best races are organized by his company. He is also accomplished in ultra and adventure running. We explore his running journey and the pivot into race direction and the adaptations for the pandemic world.
In this episode of the monthly Listener Spotlight, our guest shares her story of losing her way to finding the courage for self-care through fitness, endurance sports, and community.
Her story would resonate with many who lose themselves in the process of life and finally hit a low point until there is not going further, but to take personal responsibility for self-care. She exudes energy and optimism, and behind that is someone with a battle scar of life she had to deal with. Thanks for her generosity share her journey with us, with the hope it helps others facing similar life situations.
Our guest today has come a long way from his first home in South Sudan. After war broke out in the country, his family fled to Uganda. He was then approved to move to the US as a refugee as a young child. Michael is now a history teacher at Episcopal High School and coaches the cross country and track teams.
We talk to Michael about life in a refugee camp amidst a war-torn region, how it was to come to America and chasing the American dream, his journey of running and getting faster every year( he is now a 2:35 marathoner ),, his life as a track coach and finally what he plans next in running. Give this a view/listen.
Youtube video at : https://youtu.be/X35maNr9fb0
Our guest in this episode, Ashwini Bhat is among the six members of an ‘Ultra team’ who will represent India at an international sporting event in Romania scheduled for October 2021. The IAU World Championships (a 24-hour run) is organized every year by the International Association of Ultra Runners.
To qualify for it, Ashwini ran 181km in 24 hours, finishing seventh overall and fourth among women. Her story has humble beginnings in 10k(s) followed by half marathons and marathons.
Her ultra running journey starts in trails and leads her to new levels. The pivot into 12 hr and 24 hr format propels her into a high performing athlete aiming for the podium. Her story is filled with overcoming obstacles, family support, and making big bets.
ultras #onehundredmilers #running
Today's guest has a fascinating story of going couch to 100 milers ultras. His journey is filled with discovery and self-learning. We explore what it takes to run ultras, early mistakes and how to avoid them, taking new challenges, preventing injuries, changes to food habits, and balancing multiple commitments. Give it a listen and leave your comments.
My guest today is a fellow YouTuber and Ultra runner Stephane Laporte from Saigon, Vietnam. Stephane has a fascinating journey of endurance running intertwined with his work journey of helping other runners.
He loves running so much, he decides to switch careers from being an IT professional to becoming an osteopathic therapist.
We get to talk about how and why of that journey.
We get to dwell into his unique experiences at the multi race adventures, a 250 km foot race in the Gobi Desert and the Atacama Desert in Chile.
We talk about the preparation, the training and how does one go about participating in these amazing adventures.
Give it a view/listen and get inspired to be adventurous.
This is a new series of conversations with listeners of the show who have an inspiring fitness journey.
We call Radhika, the Iron Lady of our running group. She has been one of the active listeners to the podcast and more recently had a breakthrough in the area of weight loss. Her fitness journey is all rounded, from running to Tae Kwondo to Dancing, she does it all. Her spirit is indomitable and inspiring. We get to talk about what got her started in the fitness journey, how does she manage to explore so many facets of herself, how did she lose over 25 lbs in 5 months, and what is her recipe for success.
My guest today Scott Farrand , formerly a senior executive at HPE and an ardent recreational endurance athlete .
Scott is someone who is like good old wine, getting better with age, someone who has been at marathons and triathlons for over 16 years and he is only 60 years young.
We get to talk about he does it all , balancing family, work and training, his journey of marathons to the Iron man, whats changed with age in training and what keeps him going.
As per NAMI, the national alliance on mental illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, 1 in 20 people are afflicted by mental illness in America.
In today’s episode, we touch upon this topic. It’s important to bring awareness to this epidemic because like all other physical illnesses, it needs societal support and understanding.
Running and physical activity, in general, is recommended for managing mental health.
It's my pleasure to be in Andre Hermann, an educator and ultra runner, who has personally coped with depression and addiction and using endurance running to fight it and bring awareness. Am grateful for his generosity to share his story, so others can benefit. We get to talk about what endurance sports mean to his life, how did he find and get help for his illness, how it turned into alcohol addiction and how he has used ultra-running to stay sober and find purpose.
Please consider contributing to his fund raising for NAMI through his running https://donate.nami.org/fundraiser/3108814
Podcast on all major platforms.
My guest today is Karen Harbaugh, a mother of three, a busy medical professional, and someone who has thrived in multiple endurance activities from obstacle races to ultras to iron man triathlons, including qualifying for the 2018 ITU world triathlon grand final gold coast. She also happens to be a Vibram ambassador. We get to talk about how it all started, how does she juggle all her responsibilities and the training, how did the Vibram deal come about, her approach to staying healthy all-around fitness, and whats her next big adventure.
RunYogi Diaries #37, with David Waters from Ontario, Canada. I have been following his YouTube channel, the plant-powered runner, and found his passion infectious. What struck me about David is his mission to spread joy and support others in their journey.
He is a passionate advocate of plat powered lifestyle and the Maffetone method. We get to talk about how it started, how does someone who has grown eating meat switches to a plant-based lifestyle, what and why of the Maffetone method, how he has had to deal with a low phase, and his story of self-healing through running. We also dwell on some off-beat stuff as it relates to running and spirituality.
Somen is on a mission to spread awareness of AIDS, peace, and Indian culture, not necessarily in that order. His odyssey started on the 27th of May 2004, just two days after he acquired Bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of Calcutta. His goal is to cover 191 countries, the score currently is at 157. he has almost pedaled 200,000 km and reached over 20 million people.
His journey is crowdsourced, from the love of people who support him, if you'd like to donate to Somen's mission, use the Paypal link on the URL below https://www.somen2020world.com
My guest today is a good friend Anil Adoni, someone who has been on a journey of fitness, well being, and sustainable weight loss for over a decade, through fundamental changes in lifestyle We get to talk about what was the wake-up moment, his journey of trial and error approach to weight loss that leads to creating his own system that he shares with others, his pivot into running and long-distance bicycling, and finally his adventures in trekking in the Himalayas and the Kilimanjaro mountains.
2020 was a year for most confined indoors, not for Siddesha , who nailed 104 full marathons ( mostly self supported ) in the year.
He describes himself as a ‘ordinary street runner’ , his humility and affability is disarming. Who says you cant be competitive , competent and yet be grounded ?
We got to talk about how he stumbled into long distance running, the Boston qualification , managing family commitments , formulas for keeping it going for the long run and the incredible 100 marathon project 2020. Give is a thumbs up and leave your thoughts if you like Siddesha's jounrey.
Video version on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
Facebook page: @RunYogidiaries
Kevin Hoegler is a young man on a mission, to show the world that Multiple Sclerosis doesn't have to shut you down, and that you can still thrive through smart lifestyle choices and running.
He is an epitome of HOPE and POSSIBILITY . That's the mindset that makes a difference.
We get to talk about MS and its impact to his life, the changes he made to lifestyle , the pivot into running , the MAF method effectiveness and finally his amazing 100 mile ultramarathon finish in 2020 .
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/DLYid-vzIeE
Venkateswara Rao Navanasi’s giant leaps in the cycling world are more than just being inspirational.
They are an adventure that he has been conquering the miles along with his demons makes for a story that you must check out.
His story is inspiration for anyone who thinks good health and fitness is reserved for a few , and no matter your circumstances , there is a choice to live well. We get to talk about how it began for him , how dod bicycling become a passion , his adventures in Hyderabad , Vermont and Bengaluru , and the WHY of his recent foray into podcasting .
Miriam describes herself as an ordinary ultrarunner ( if there is such a thing). She has finished multiple 50/100 mile ultras and a host of multi day ultra runs. She began running ultras after watching Leslie Stahl interview elite world-class ultarunners Dean Karnazes and Pam Reed on 60 Minutes in 2004. She have been running competitively since 1989.
Her story is filled with courage , love and immense faith .
We get to talk about her long career in running, the pivot into ultras, how she manages to come back from life’s obstacles , the importance of spirituality in her life and finally her project to support cancer caregivers
Listen to how big obstacles don't stop her and how she lives the best version of herself through running and faith. She can be reached at https://www.miriamdiazgilbert.com/about
In todays episode, Santosh Iyer , podcast guest #2 comes back wearing a different hat and yours truly gets to be on the hot seat. After 29 epipodes, I get to talk about my running journey and my WHY . While I had an active childhood, life takes over after college . My first encounter with fitness and weight loss happened in my late 30s . We got to talk about how it came about , how did long distance running and marathons become a pursuit, whats the big WHY behind the community running initiatives and this mission of this channel .
YouTube link : https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
The year was challenging , and yet it pushed us to adapt and reimagine. It brought the best in many and RunYogi Diaries wishes to celebrate that mindset. Here is wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season, take the time to refresh and reflect, and get ready for an amazing 2021.
A few of the amazing show guests get to reflect on what to be grateful in 2020 and whats they are taking on in the new year.
Niloy sen is your everyday guy who does not believe in the status quo. He believes in the next thing , and he learns by experimenting . His journey into running epitomizes that mindset. From starting with half marathons, to pivoting into the world of ultra running , his approach has been to jump in with both feet first and learn as he goes. No surprise that he is now conquering some real tough ultra distance races.
We get to talk about how it all began, what he learnt along the way, how he balances life's priorities , the importance of community and his next big adventure. Check it out.
YouTube version : https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
Hima Mukkamala is a Silicon Valley CEO, a high performing and high functioning individual who pushes himself to achieve more, and running is his perfect vehicle to test the mindset. From running his first marathon in 2014, he has progressively pushed limits to run many ultra distances and eventually chasing the Moab 240 dream. We get to talk about why does this, how he uses it in leadership, how he manages the work-family-training triangle and whats his recipe for success .
Moab 240 statistics - (Total time 111hr 19min, Total sleep ~2.5hrs, Total distance 240m , Total elevation 29029 feet)
Experience report posted here https://linkedin.com/pulse/moab-240-miles-over-5days4nights-humbling-life-himagiri-mukkamala/ Audio podcast Anchor:https://anchor.fm/runyogi Apple Podcast https://bit.ly/RunYogi_Diaries
YouTube version : https://youtu.be/1B492wSeBSo
Gerald Schattle weighed 397 pounds at his heaviest and he is down to 240 pounds now. The Aldine, Texas principal played football growing up, but slowly gained weight as he got married and had a family. The Aldine Education Center principal lost 80 pounds with diet and exercise and then started running. His goal was to finish a marathon, and trained by running through the neighborhoods where his students live.
It wasn’t just good for his health, the runs helped him connect with the kids. His story may sound like straight from biggest loser challenges, but listening to him, you get a sense it's far deeper.
Weight loss is merely a physical manifestation of something that changes within. Gerald is on this journey thats just begun, and he is on a quest to find balance . We get to talk about his weight loss, his moment of realization , his approach to diet, the process he developed to achieve his results and whats next for him . Give it a listen and get inspired .
Deeya Bajaj, along with her extremely accomplished adventurer father were the first Daughter-Father duo from India to have summited Mt. Everest. Deeya's story is fascinating , having grown up immersed in adventure , and at the age of 17 completed a 550 KM expedition across Greenland on ski.
We get to talk about her experience in these amazing adventures , how she preps for them physically and mentally, the higher purpose that drives her .
The YouTube version has many amazing photos that go with the conversation, give this is a view/listen, and get amazed !
https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
Jordan is a passionate recreational elite runner with a mission . She is a passionate advocate of Indigenous culture and people of America. She uses her running as a platform for justice and visibility, as it intersects across all movements of climate, racial, social, and economic justice. We get to talk about her running journey, the intersection of her running career and advocacy , her effort to use her Boston Marathon to bring visibility to missing Indigenous women. She is a power house, and there is something to learn about higher purpose in ones life. What she does is not easy, but it’s fulfilling. Give it a listen , get inspired .
Please comment, like and subscribe to the channel, it helps the cause.
Jordan can be reached through her website https://www.jordanmariedaniel.com
Video version YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
It’s easy to spot Thomas Bobby Philip in a marathon – just watch out for the person running barefoot. Funnily enough, for a self-confessed ‘cleanliness freak’, this 53-year-old has been running barefoot since 2012.
We get to talk about his fitness journey , from an unhealthy partying lifestyle to a high performing barefoot runner in his 50(s) that qualified for the Boston Marathon.
Give it a listen, and get inspired . It’s never too late to discover yourself.
If you like the story, please hit like, leave your comments and subscribe to the channel, it helps the cause.
Video version on YouTube :
https://www.youtube.com/c/runyogidiaries
persistence #faith #overcoming #limitless #fitness #ultras #running
Andy Farina, President & Founder of Fearless Health is a fitness coach and ultrarunner. He has completed multiple 50k(s), 50 mile+ runs and obstacle races . But it has't been easy. Having born premature, Andy had to deal with ability to walk early in his life. Hear his story on overcoming limitations , the importance of self belief, living life fully and eating smart .
I hope you enjoy the conversation , please like, comment and subscribe to the channel.
The audio podcast can be found on the link below
https://anchor.fm/runyogi
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runyogi-diaries-conversations-on-happiness-well-being/id1525486501
olympics #highperformance #proathlete #mindset
Lauren is a high performing elite middle distance runner . She is training and aspires to make the 2021 Olympic team . We get to talk about making choices , high performance mindset and handling pressure .
You can read about her amazing running resume at https://www.nazelite.com/athletes/lauren-paquette/
YouTube version at https://youtu.be/xzFqN2iprGM
purpose #transformation #faith #rowing #endurance #ultras
Katie is an Adventurer, endurance athlete, charitable ambassador, author, world-record holder, & TED speaker . She is the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic, from Africa to South America . Her mission is to bring access to clean water globally.
Katie's story has been featured on CBS Morning Show, CBS Evening News, World News with Diane Sawyer, Anderson Cooper 360, New York Times, NPR, Glamour Magazine, and the Discovery Channel. To date, more than 10,000 people have gained access to clean water as a result of Katie's endurance challenges.
More recently her story also appeared on Runners World magazine.
We get to talk about how it all started, how she deals with her low points and finally role of purpose and spirituality in endurance.
The video version of the podcast on YouTube : https://youtu.be/HHxl3jBedQg
You can read more about Katie on https://www.katiespotz.com/
breakingthrough #ultraman #ironman #transformation #conquer
Manmadh's story is like straight out of movies. He almost drowned learning to swim in a indoor pool, and then 10 years later , conquers his fear to completes a Triathlons and eventually the Ultraman. We get to talk about how to develop a breakthrough mindset, the race beyond a Iron Man, the beauty of swimming in Oceans and living life fully and with purpose. Give it listen .
Youtube video version : https://youtu.be/WZSBAdkY6t8
Nilima Pai describes herself as a simple person. Her humility is striking. You only learn her feisty independent side a few minutes into the conversation . Her passion for running, the courage to do what she believes is inspiring. She is a barefoot runner by choice , and she runs in the sarees because it expresses her inner spirit. We get to talk about how it all started and why she has this very unique running practice, including tips on how to get started on barefoot .
transformation #spirituality #blackexperience #bodysoulconnection #buildingbridges #breakingbarriers
Dr. Joseph Spears is an endurance fitness enthusiast , an associate professor of Sports Management at Bowie State University and also a Pastor .
Dr. Joseph Spears believes that “spiritual fitness” is the solution to problems of today. It is his goal to see diverse individuals coming together from all walks of life and the need to build strong communities spiritually, socially and economically.
On the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's birth celebrations , I find it appropriate to talk about some uncomfortable topics but important ones , like, Is it sufficient to be related at a level of common interest like running , or is there something higher required. When does actual connection between people really happen ? Whats the the black experience in America , and How we can come together to build stronger communities through sports and fitness.
Give this powerful conversation a listen.
bostonfinisher #physiotherapist #fiftyplusfitness
Joel is a life long runner , having covered over 67,000 lifetime running miles . He is a 8 time Boston marathon finisher, has competed in over 26 marathons.
He is also a coach for a small team in Memphis called the Pilgrimage Track Club, and has penned articles for a local publication The Roadrunner for the past 7 years.
Joel has been the medical director for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon for the first 2 years it was run. He also has been Race Director for many years for a charitable race called the Mug Mile in Germantown TN.
We get to talk about performance, reframing priorities with age and importance of flexibility to stay injury free.
Manish Dugar is a busy successful senior executive that has made running central to his life. Running has helped him find meaning, well being and high productivity at work. Check out this episode to find his secret hacks and get inspired.
Eleanor and Barry are fun loving , busy couple , who work hard , party hard and exercise hard . It keeps their relationship alive and strong. From doing marathons together , to multi day stage races , they use endurance activities to discover their romance.
Charles epitomizes grit, like how Duane described it on episode 6, which is building confidence through sheer focused effort . How does one start running at 45, and complete 100+ marathons and then qualify for Boston at the 100th one at age 60? This is stuff that movies are made of ( or maybe movies just mimic real life heroes like Charles ).
We get to talk about how to be best versions of ourselves, importance of community and relationships .
At 20 , she has a 17 year journey of dance that makes her wise for her age. At 15 she did her first MS 150 ride, a 125 mile bicycle ride from Houston to Austin and then repeated in again at 17. MS 150 is, a ride that needs focus and training. We get to talk about what drives her, her methods to training, motivation and body image issues for the young adults.
Bethann is a real life warrior. She epitomizes the saying , if life throws lemons at you, make lemonade. She is about whats possible every day. She is a marathoner, an Iron(wo)man finisher and adventure enthusiast. She cares for the community . We talk about how she does it .
excellence #willpower #transformation #women-achievers #inspiration
Dane Rauschenberg is best known for racing 52 marathons in 52 consecutive weeks, all while working a full time job.Throughout his life,Dane has embraced the philosophy of ignoring the impossible.
In this amazing conversation, Dane shares his story and core principles of living an extraordinary life.
ignoretheimpossible #transformation #excellence
You can also reach Dane at
http://seedanerun.com/
https://www.instagram.com/danerauschenberg/
RunYogi Diaries episode 9, with Hari Shankar, long term runner and co-founder of Chennai Runner group. From a time when he was scoffed at for running , to co-founding a running movement with his friends in one of India largest metros, Hari exudes a humility that masks his incredible journey as a runner and community organizer. A fantastic conversation about persistence ,leadership and common sense approach to running.
Enjoyed the conversation!
Few people evoke a zen like calm like Ravi. Ravi goes about his business like a monk, a matter of factness about his extra ordinary journey of hiking in all seven continents . He has hiked the Himalayas , the Amazon Forest, the Andes, The Alps and the Antarctica. #sevencontinents #exotichikes
Stories of ordinary people embarking on extra ordinary journeys. My first guest a dear friend, Aaraj T, who went from 5k to ultra running while conquering new milestones and PR(s).
In conversation with Duane Solem, a USAT Triathlon Coach, Certified Fitness Trainer, Engineer, Biophysicist and a Triathlete that is redefining what it means to be aged almost 80. You can reach him at http://lastchancefitness.com.
n part of our episode in my conversation with Sukanya Sridhar, she shares her breakthrough with weight loss and her strategies for smart eating that keeps the flab away. She blogs regularly on https://sukanyag3.wixsite.com/mysite #weight-loss #smart-eating #fitness
A conversation with an unstoppable woman who vanquished her cancer and went on to complete 20 half marathons. She is now on a mission to make other peoples lives healthy and fulfilled. You can reach her at her website https://sukanyag3.wixsite.com/mysite/... #survivingcancer #personaltransformation #weightlossjourney
Conversation with Sriram , a passionate high energy ultra bicyclist , thats conquered miles of terrain and mountains on the saddle.He has to his credit over four "tripe by pass " rides, a double triple by pass ride and many multi day rides.
Conversation with Santosh Iyer, an intellect, runner, ultra hiker , seeker, ethical human being and vegan https://caminodesantosh.wordpress.com... https://caminodesantosh.wordpress.com...
In conversation with Sridhar Solur , a runner , technologist, designer and a fashion connoisseur. We dwell into his running journey, rebound after a major brain surgery for tumour, importance of community , mindset for success and design sensibility . Hope you enjoy the conversation.
Hear the fascinating story of Dr. Sripathi's late entry to running and how he set out to complete a full marathon on each of the 7 continents, a feat a small %age of human population can boast of having done.