The first step in empowerment is taking control of your health, respecting yourself and understanding and celebrating the value you bring to your family and society.
I have never liked going to the gym.
I like the outdoors. I like to run. In gym I feel restricted. When I exercise in open, it gives me a certain freedom and pushes me to do more.
I find acting fun, and don't want to do away with that. I have never been able to see it as a job. It is another world I go to every once in a while.
I give credit to my mom for inspiring and encouraging me to take sports seriously. She was a professor of biochemistry and at the age of 60 when she retired she started trekking.
It is unfortunate that as a country we don't have this culture of promoting health and sports.
Every political party, rotary club, every college, school, all organisations organise running events. This is something that ignites the aspirations of people.
In India, we don't have a culture of sports. We don't have a culture of an active lifestyle or exercise. If we want to change this mindset, women are the key. That's why we started the Pinkathon.
Women don't think they need to exercise or run. They have a million excuses for why they don't have the time; they've got children at home, puja to attend to, breakfast to prepare and so on.
People often say they cannot run even 2km. But the human body is capable of so much: if people can run 60km a day for several days anyone can run.
The main thing about an endurance challenge is that you have to endure. Not so much physically, but mentally. Your mind gives up first. Not your body.
Running for me is self-exploration.
Endurance sport is an inward journey, I like to be with myself, hear my heartbeat, my thoughts, it's something I've been enjoying since 15 years and it's only getting better.
I identify myself as a explorer, do new things, surprise myself.
I have been to beaches in many parts of the world, but Maldives is amazing. The country is very small, people are simple, each island is so tiny and the food is good.
For me, a holiday is doing something else apart from what I normally do.
I have always enjoyed myself. Sometimes I feel guilty about enjoying myself so much.
At 50, you have learnt to accept yourself, and that helps you also understand and accept your partner better.
I don't have a pattern in my life. That makes me a great boyfriend because it's exciting. But I may not make a great husband.
I don't like waking up early.
