What does it actually take to finish extreme ultramarathons, beyond training plans, mileage charts, and motivation quotes?

In Episode 102 of Find Your Ultra, host Vipin Sharma sits down with Praveen Sharma, one of India’s most experienced ultrarunners, for a raw, no-nonsense masterclass on the ultrarunning mindset.

This episode dives deep into:

• Running 111 km, 222 km, and attempting 555 km
• Racing at high altitude in Ladakh
• Why daring to register is the first real step
• Conservative vs aggressive race strategy
• Blisters, sleep deprivation, nutrition mistakes & lessons
• Injuries, stress fractures, DNFs — and why they matter
• Why 160 km+ is not about miles, but about lifestyle
• VO₂ max gains, Covid training, and long-term durability
• Why ultrarunning is about clarity, purpose, and discipline

Praveen shares brutally honest insights from races like La Ultra, the legendary Ladakh distances, desert races, and the mindset required for events like Badwater 135.

This is not a motivational episode.
This is an education for runners who want to go longer — and survive it.

If you’re training for your first ultra, your first 100-miler, or dreaming of 200 km+ distances — this episode is mandatory listening.

Show Notes:

If you have any guest suggestions for our podcast, mail us at:
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#FindYourUltra #FYU #UltraVipin #Podcast #SelfHelp

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About Find Your Ultra:

Find Your Ultra is a channel where we talk about deep health and personal growth.

Hosted by Vipin Sharma, an ultramarathon runner and certified nutritionist, the show features conversations with experts who share insights to help you execute your dreams.

Learning is a lifelong pursuit. Join us on this journey to transcend limitations, and you may just Find Your Ultra.

What does it really take to finish the world’s toughest ultramarathons?

In this episode of Find Your Ultra, host Vipin Sharma sits down with Rakesh Kashyap, the only Indian athlete to finish all three legendary races:

• Badwater 135 (World’s hottest ultramarathon – Death Valley)
• Spartathlon (246 km of history, cut-offs & discipline)
• Brazil 135 (Extreme elevation & logistics)

Rakesh breaks down the real reality behind these races — beyond motivation reels.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Badwater 135 selection actually works (not a lottery)
• Exact qualification criteria & race prerequisites
• Total cost breakdown (race fee, travel, crew, car, food)
• Why crew training is as important as runner training
• Heat preparation strategies (Indian summer vs Death Valley)
• Nutrition, hydration & survival over 30–40+ hours
• Why finishing ultras is more about not quitting than speed
• Who should and should not attempt races like Badwater

This is not a motivational talk.
This is a masterclass in endurance, planning, and mental resilience.

If you’re an ultra runner, marathoner, or someone curious about pushing human limits — this episode is essential listening.

If you have any guest suggestions for our podcast, email us at:
findyourultra@gmail.com

Follow Find Your Ultra:

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#FindYourUltra #FYU #UltraVipin #Podcast #UltraRunningIndia #IndianRunners #UltraMindset #RunningPodcast

Host: Vipin Sharma

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About Find Your Ultra
Find Your Ultra is a channel focused on deep health and personal growth. Hosted by Vipin Sharma, an ultra-marathon runner and certified nutritionist, the show explores lessons from experts that help you execute your dreams.

Vipin’s journey began as a regular MBA with unhealthy habits. Running and nutrition transformed his life — and led him to complete multiple ultra marathons.

Learning is a lifelong pursuit. Join this journey and you may just Find Your Ultra.

This is not an episode about medals.
This is an episode about what it actually takes to stay in the game for years.

In the 100th episode of the Find Your Ultra Podcast, Vipin Sharma sits down with Amit Gulia — one of the original architects of India’s ultrarunning movement — for a grounded, honest, and deeply reflective conversation on endurance, pain, and purpose.

Amit Gulia didn’t enter ultrarunning through hype or social media validation.
He built his journey quietly — race by race, mountain by mountain — learning when to push, when to stop, and when quitting is the most intelligent decision.

This conversation captures what rarely gets spoken about in endurance sport:
the mental cost, the loneliness, the discipline, and the long-term thinking required to survive extreme distances — especially in Indian conditions.

What This Episode Explores:

• How Indian ultrarunning evolved before it became mainstream
• What actually goes through the mind during extreme fatigue
• The difference between quitting and making a smart decision
• Why podium obsession destroys long-term athletes
• High-altitude realities of races like La Ultra & Himalayan ultras
• Training discipline vs emotional motivation
• The role of community in a sport that is deeply solitary
• How to build resilience that lasts beyond one race
• Why ultrarunning exposes who you really are — not who you want to be

This episode is especially relevant for:

• Ultrarunners & trail runners
• Endurance athletes
• Founders, leaders, and high-pressure professionals
• Anyone learning how to stay consistent over years, not weeks

Guest Suggestions:
Email us at: findyourultra@gmail.com

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Listen to Find Your Ultra:
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Facebook: @ultravipin

About Find Your Ultra:
Find Your Ultra is a podcast focused on deep health and personal growth.
Hosted by Vipin Sharma — ultramarathon runner and certified nutritionist — the show features conversations with experts and high performers who share insights to help you execute your dreams.

Vipin’s journey began as a regular MBA with a regular job and unhealthy habits. Running and nutrition transformed his life, leading him to complete multiple ultramarathons.

Learning is a lifelong pursuit. Join us as we strive to transcend our flawed selves — and you may just Find Your Ultra.

In this inspiring episode of Find Your Ultra, host Vipin Sharma sits down with Aakash Nambiar — a minimalist traveler, barefoot runner, and creator behind @barefootmallu.

From balancing work deadlines to funding his own international races, Aakash proves that passion and discipline can co-exist with a 9-to-5 life. He opens up about running barefoot across deserts, discovering freedom through discomfort, and how travel shaped his mindset toward success and simplicity.

• How a full-time professional trains for ultra-distance events
• Why Aakash chooses to run barefoot around the world
• The mindset that helps him balance work, travel, and endurance
• How minimalism and discomfort build mental strength
• Practical tips for anyone chasing freedom through discipline

If you have any guest suggestions for our podcast, mail us at: findyourultra@gmail.com

For any other queries EMAIL: findyourultra@gmail.com

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Join us as Vrinda shares powerful insights on her early years, how motherhood strengthened her resolve, and the mindset that fuels her consistent success on both the court and the race track. Whether you're a running enthusiast, a law professional, or someone looking for motivation to hustle and excel in multiple arenas, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, discipline, and ambition.

Key topics covered:

• Rhodes Scholarship journey and academic excellence
• High-profile legal cases and Supreme Court experiences
• Marathon training routines and strategies
• Mental toughness and work-life balance
• Dealing with failure
• ⁠Tips for becoming faster and a better athlete

Subscribe to the Find Your Ultra podcast for more stories of extraordinary individuals pushing limits in health, fitness, and personal growth.

Video Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: Find Your Ultra with Vrinda Bhandari
03:34 - Vrinda’s Early Life: Love for Reading, Childhood & Family
08:11 - Choosing Between Sports and Law
13:54 - Indian Sports: NADA, WADA & The Steroid Debate
15:37 - The Rhodes Scholarship & Journey into Digital Rights Law
20:32 - Aadhaar Case, Privacy & How Social Media Impacts Our Lives
30:40 - Online Harassment, Data Leaks & Internet Laws Explained
35:56 - What’s Keeping Vrinda Busy These Days
38:19 - Running Journey: From First Run to Passionate Athlete
52:03 - Mindset: Handling Failure & Staying Motivated
1:00:32 - Female Athlete Challenges & Strength Training Routine
1:08:17 - Marathons, Training Experiences & Key Learnings
1:14:13 - Time Management, Recovery & Relaxation Techniques
1:19:16 - Hydration, Nutrition & Staying Healthy

#VrindaBhandari #RhodesScholar #MarathonRunner #TopLawyer #MumbaiMarathon #DelhiHalfMarathon #FindYourUltra #RunningMotivation #WomenInLaw #FitnessJourney #PodcastInterview #EnduranceAthlete #PodiumFinisher #WorkLifeBalance #FemaleAthletes #Inspiration

_____

If you have any guest suggestions for our podcast, mail us at:- findyourultra@gmail.com

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About :
Find Your Ultra is a channel where we talk about deep health and personal growth.
Hosted by Vipin Sharma, an ultra-marathon runner, and a certified nutritionist.
He chats with experts to reveal their secrets that can help you execute your dreams. Join us as we embark on this journey of learning from inspiring individuals.

Thanks for dropping by. Vipin used to be a regular MBA with a regular day job and a host of unhealthy habits leading to weight issues. He started running and studied nutrition to lose weight, and along the journey, He ended up running a bunch of ultra marathons.

Learning, however, is a lifelong pursuit. Join us in this journey to transcend my flawed self, and you may also just 'Find Your Ultra'.

In Episode 97, we dive into one of the most unconventional and inspiring stories yet — featuring Sarthak Malani, an ultra-runner known for barefoot running, backward running, and his HYROX training. 🏃‍♂️💥

• Why Sarthak runs backwards — and what it does for the mind and body
• How barefoot running changed his performance
• Training for HYROX competitions & high-performance fitness
• Building an authentic identity in the fitness world
• Discipline, content creation & mental strength
• Breaking stereotypes in Indian endurance sports

Sarthak’s story is a powerful reminder that the path to greatness often goes against the grain. If you're into ultra running, mental toughness, or just want motivation to live differently — this episode is for you.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!

Guest Suggestions: Mail us at findyourultra@gmail.com

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For other queries: findyourultra@gmail.com

• Spotify
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Instagram: @ultravipin
Facebook: @ultravipin
X (Twitter): @ultravipin

Find Your Ultra is a channel where we talk about deep health and personal growth. Hosted by Vipin Sharma, an ultra-marathon runner and a certified nutritionist, this podcast explores the journeys of inspiring individuals across various fields.

Vipin used to be a regular MBA with a regular day job and a host of unhealthy habits that led to weight issues. He started running and studied nutrition to lose weight — and along the journey, ended up running several ultra-marathons.

Learning, however, is a lifelong pursuit. Join us in this journey to transcend our flawed selves — and you may also just Find Your Ultra.

Can Feeding Animals Actually Harm Them?

In this episode, naturalist and wildlife guide Sameer Bakshi shares fascinating and alarming insights into how our actions are unintentionally damaging the wild.

We talk about:

• Why some wild animals are developing diseases like diabetes
• The hidden dangers of feeding wildlife
• The problem of stray animals and human interference
• How overpopulation of some species is disrupting ecosystems
• The most beautiful outdoor moment Sameer has ever witnessed

Whether you love nature, enjoy the outdoors, or simply want to understand your impact on the environment — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Follow the show and leave a rating if you found this conversation meaningful. It helps more people discover stories that matter.