By : Juhi Bansal

My huge crush on Milind is no secret..so when I met him a few days ago, I was tongue tied to say the least! I don’t know how this interview happened because I was simpering through most of it…here’s an excerpt for all of you. Milind was in Ahmedabad to promote “Pinkathon Amdavad” and whether for your love for fitness or Mr. Soman himself, I would urge all you lovely ladies to register for it. Visit www.pinkathon.in for more info.

Also Read:Why running is the best workout ever

I cannot still believe it’s Milind Soman!

JB: (after I was done smiling, blinking, gaping!) Milind, tell us about Pinkathon and why you decided to associate with it?
MS: The Pinkathon was created on the premise that women are the key to a healthier and fitter society. In the current scenario women neglect their own health and are encouraged to stay at home, and often made to feel guilty about spending time on themselves. Shockingly, 80% of women, having been told that it may save their life, will not go for a routine medical check up even if it’s free. The reasons given, even by educated women in an urban background, are that any symptoms will disappear on their own and the body will heal itself. That the time and money required will be better spent on other necessities. The belief is that women’s issues are something to be hidden away and best not spoken about. That if a women has a problem it somehow is embarrassing for the family. The truth is, all diseases can be dealt with in a more effective way if detected in the early stages. For this, regular screenings are necessary. Perhaps even more important is a basic understanding of body function and a constant awareness of the changes taking place in the body. The best way to increase this understanding and awareness at an individual level is through sport. The biggest obstacle to this is social apathy and sometimes even a social reluctance to prioritise health and fitness. Women need to be encouraged to step out of the home, meet like minded people and adopt healthy lifestyle practises, especially regular exercise. The advantages are twofold. One is the improvement in the health of the woman and her awareness of lifestyle factors that affect the health of herself and her family, and secondly, inspiring her family, by example, to do the same. Constant and practical awareness of the health pitfalls of modern society can be achieved by experiential education. The Pinkathon is the only event in India that encourages thousands of women to come together to learn, through experience, and from each other,  the positive effects of an active lifestyle.

I am listening?…I am just staring?…I AM listening!

JB: Tell us about your workout routine. How do you manage to stay so fit? (like realllllly fit….I am not kidding!)

MS: I don’t really have a routine. The basis of my fitness is to be always active and do a little extra when I have the time. I run or swim or cycle whenever I get a chance, and do as much as I can, or feel like, every time. I don’t sit in a chair unless absolutely necessary.  I never go to the gym. I avoid refined sugar.

JB: Wow! No gym at all! Ok, so why running of all things?

MS: Endurance running or distance running, is like a form of meditation that encourages focus and mental discipline while also being a great physical exercise. I run because it feels amazing. When I am running distance, all my energies, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, are brought together in harmony which induces the most powerful positive environment inside and around me.

JB: I have to agree! Running is my favourite part of the day too. Can women who have never run before participate in Pinkathon?

MS: Almost 85% of the participants in the Pinkathon have never run before. The Pinkathon is not just a run, it is a celebration of our health and a pledge to make the effort to remain healthy for the rest of our lives. The best way to start is to begin with walking everyday for at least 15min focussing on yourself. This is the first step to self awareness and health.

JB: Do you have any last minute advice for the participants to follow since its barely a few days before Pinkathon now?

MS: Take a decision to make health your priority and just be there to enjoy the Pinkathon Amdavad on 25th Oct – the experience of dancing and walking and running with thousands of other women who believe and value themselves is unforgettable!

JB: Ok Milind we are a fashion blog and my readers would love to know your go to fashion & style, preferred brands and favourite attire?

MS: Pinkathon tee and jeans, Zara is a brand I like, earthy elegance is the look.

Please please don’t mob him, I still have one more Qs!

JB: Running and Zara we share two loves now! Yayyy! (this was mostly silent 🙂 ). Back to Earth- Milind we would love it if you could give a personal message to our readers.

MS: Get fit-you can’t imagine what you’re missing !

And I have to agree with him. If you are not running, you are definitely missing something. Register for Pinkathon Amdavad today and I will see you at Riverfront on October 25, 2015!

Stay Gorgeous xx (and healthy!)

and here’s our cute selfie!

PS: I am wearing a ZARA shirt and ONLY distressed jeans and Milind is sporting his favourite Pinkathon tee with jeans.