The marathon man: Milind Soman
Conversations — By Neha K Kulkarni on May 23, 2012 at 8:00 AM
For years now Milind Soman, India’s first super model and a fitness icon has been making million of hearts beat with his chiselled looks and to-die-for physique.
At the press conference of the 3rd Annual Pedal Power cycle rally in the city, The Punekar caught up with Milind Soman as he talk about the rally, this love for running and much more.
How much do you think Pune has changed over the past few years?
I used to come to Pune when I was a kid as my grandparents hail from Pune. Over the years the quality of life has changed drastically. The pollution has increased and the greenery around has reduced to a great extent. I believe that the environment that Pune was known for is rapidly depleting and it really needs to be saved.
You are into running but you would be leading the Pedal Power cycle rally. What do you prefer, cycling or running?
I’ve always been into running because it is something I simply love. It is a great way to stay fit as well. Though I prefer running, I think cycling is a great activity to undertake not just for its fitness benefits but also as a mode of transport atleast for short distances.
Tell us about the run that you undertook with five others from Mumbai to Delhi.
We undertook a Green Run where we covered 1,500kms in 30 days from Delhi to Mumbai. None of us were trained for an event like this so it was a new experience for us. The only thing that was common among us was the love for running. It was a tough job as none of us have ever been part of such an event. The two things that got us through was our dedication and commitment to the cause of preserving and creating awareness about the environment.
What all do you think people can do to do their bit for the environment?
There are simple things that one can inculcate in their lifestyle. Walking or cycling to close distances instead of using their vehicles, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, consuming fresh foods instead of processed one. Eventually all this leads to conserving energy and its is extremely beneficial for the human body as well.
What does health and fitness mean to you?
Health and fitness comes naturally to me.It is something that have been with me right since my childhood. Ever since I was a kid my parents always encouraged me to take part in sports, something which I feel not many Indian parents do. I feel that there should be a balance between academics and sports. I used to be a swimmer and I’ve represented Maharashtra from the age of 10 to 23 years.
Our body is an amazing piece of machinery and it has to be looked after so that it stays fit and healthy.
Do you have any health tips for the readers?
A lot of people are falling prey to a lot of illnesses. The main cause of this is the unhealthy lifestyle that one leads. One needs to understand the need of the body and behave accordingly. It is really important to watch what you eat. You don’t need to starve or go on crash diets. Till date I’ve never been on a diet. I eat everything but I also eat it carefully, keeping in mind the requirements of the body. Exercising is extremely important but we tend to neglect it because of our busy lives. I am not a gym person, I prefer going for a run to stay fit. A balance of eating right and exercise will help you stay healthy and fit.
Who do you think is more receptive to the idea of caring and doing their bit for the environment, the youth or the older citizens?
I don’t think one can generalize on this. Any person who is sensitive towards his/her surroundings does their bit towards it. It could be the old or the young. What matters here is the sensitivity with which people act and think towards the environment. We need more and more people to step up for this cause irrespective of the age.
In my opinion it is a blend of the old and young who are working on preserving the environment.
You’ve been part of the fashion world for a really long time. What is your opinion about the current fashion scenario?
I believe that the trends in the fashion world have changed. I see a lot of interesting designs around but there seem to be a lack of consistency there. Earlier, a show stopper was a stunning garment. Today it is replaced by a celebrity and the garment takes a back seat.
What are the current projects that you are working on?
The Pedal Power rally would be taking place in Pune on 3rd June 2012. I’m also planning to undertake another run from Kargil to Kanyakumari. I’m working on three films at the moment. A Tamil film, a Marathi film called ‘Savhita’ which is directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Suktankar and a Hindi movie directed by Bijoy Nambiar who has previously directed the movie ‘Shaitan’.
If you wish to know more about the runs that Milind undertakes you can Tweet him @milindrunning
