RunYogi Diaries Podcast Santosh Shiva

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 timelines

0:00 Intro and background
3:46 Running journey
6:15 How did Ayurveda become of interest
9:15 Impact of epigenetics
18:00 Importance of strength training
21:00 How does Ayurveda complement modern medicine
35:00 Practice of Ayurveda in modern life
38:00 Evidence based research on ancient medicine
50:00 Ayurveda for ensure athletes
54:00 Fun Q&A round
1:00 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 timelines

0:00 Introduction
4:00 Flashback
11:59 The emotional impact of weight gain
15:15 Getting beyond fads
20:53 Simplifying lifestyles
23:34 What is Quantified nutrition
31:37 Challenges of emotional eating
36:53 Power of Habits
43:54 The Japanese idea of Umami
50:26 Setting the right expectations on results
1:00 The fun Q&A round
1:03:24 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.


ThumbnailHana 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 timelines

0:00 Intro and background
3:28 Flashback
5:35 Impact of hectic work-life
8:26 Start of fitness journey
11:05 The scaling of running journey
13:38 The first 10k and Half Marathon
16:33 The upside of COVID shutdown
19:38 Weight loss with running
21:11 Getting faster organically
23:37 The pivot to a full marathon
28:17 Resetting confidence for a full marathon
33:08 What is appealing about the full marathon
38:54 An breakthrough 2023
44:21 Why the Boulder marathon
45:54 Trail running 50k
52:15 What’s next on the horizon
56.21 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 timelines

0:00 Introduction
2:56 Flashback
7:55 Staying active during young adulthood
13:30 Influence of wrestling
19:55 Impact of traditional eating styles to health
24:00 South Asians at higher risk of lifestyle diseases
28:39 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 race
52:54 What’s next on the horizon
1:00:35 Fun Q&A round
1:10 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