Fitness is a state of existence where one gives their best self and lives their best life

What, according to you, is “fitness”?

Fitness is a state of existence where one gives their best self and lives their best life. To me, it’s a combination of good physical and mental health. One should be inspired, focused, and have a holistic vision of life. I feel that it’s not a short-term thing; rather, it should be sustained throughout life. Fit individuals maintain positivity around themselves, and people enjoy their company because being fit is energising and infectious.

What are your views on having a fitness idol? Do you follow any coach or fitness guru?

I believe it’s a personal choice. I don’t follow any particular coach. I read about various individuals, including sportsmen and industry leaders, their lifestyles, what sets them apart, and their fitness activities. I take the best I can from wherever and try to incorporate it into my routine. However, if someone is inspired by a fitness idol, then that may be best for them, and I would advise them to observe and learn from that idol.

Which one, according to you, is most effective for students — yoga, gymming, or sports? Any specific sports that you are fond of?

In my understanding, all fitness activities — when done properly — are good, but yoga is the best, as it uplifts all bodily systems and is sustainable. It also includes allied practices like yama, niyama, pratyahara, dharana, and samadhi for those seeking permanent liberation and happiness. Personally, I practice yoga alongside distance running as a lifestyle activity. I also run a full marathon once a year and cover different distances daily based on a plan I adopted from a professional runner. Additionally, I enjoy watching sports such as cricket, football, and tennis. My son is a football fan and keeps me updated.

From your experiences, can you share some examples of students who have benefited significantly from incorporating fitness into their daily lives?

Yes, many, since my student days. One is my classmate from IIT Kanpur, Vivek Bhatt, who topped the batch with the President’s Gold Medal and was among the best sportspersons. Today, he’s the president of a respected healthcare services provider. Another is Nadeem Ahmed, an XLRI BM student who graduated in 2022. He was decent in academics, a cheerful person, and very fit both physically and mentally. He joined a top consulting firm. So, fitness can significantly benefit anyone. Fit and happy leaders will help build a happy society.

How can educators and institutions collaborate to create an environment that encourages both academic excellence and a commitment to fitness?

Our country has many inspiring personalities who would love to teach fitness. Organising interactive sessions with leaders who advocate fitness, such as N Chandrasekaran, and inviting fitness coaches to deliver lectures are a few ways. Students must be taught how to balance relationships, health, and studies. Although such a formal approach is currently rare, with proper planning, it can be successfully implemented. I strongly support such an initiative.

I think fitness should be included in the academic curriculum, much like business ethics. It should be conducted by a professional.

How can students balance the demands of academic commitments with maintaining a consistent fitness routine?

By planning and execution, which I think is very much possible. Being simple, being focused. Do the necessary, and weed out the unnecessary. In other words, it’s about doing good ‘operations management’ in one’s personal life. There is a saying that if one sincerely and genuinely desires something with conviction, then the ‘how’ to achieve that goal will reveal itself from within. I do see some students consistently doing fitness activities, and when I interact with them, I can see that they have sorted out this issue of balance within themselves. I am inspired by such students, and I foresee a bright long-term future for them.

How do you feel about Xplore and its initiatives?

Well, I think it’s a good initiative to interact with leaders, gain their insights, and build relationships. One theme that I would recommend discussing with them is about learning from their mistakes. What kind of decisions have they made in the past, and was there any learning from it? Also, what inspires them? The qualities that students should ingrain to become good leaders. Such learnings should be shared with others as well.