Satyarth Shukla comes India and has been passionate about sport since he was a child.
SATYARTH SHUKLA had always had an interest in sport from a young age but it wasn’t until 2013 that he found his passion for running. His main sporting dream is to compete in an UltraIronman but living in India, where the race does not take place, he knows this will be a hard dream to make happen. He hopes to accomplish his lifelong ambition with the help and
support of www.dreamfuel.me. When Satyarth runs he raises money for the families of the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces.
In this exclusive interview Satyarth talks about where his passion for sport came from as well as what it was like growing up in India. Read on to find out about his life accomplishments outside of running as well as why the pastime means so much to him.
Tell us about where you grew up and where your passion for adventure stemmed from?
I grew up in a middle class household in an industrial town of Kanpur in India. I had a great love for sports since childhood, other than regular childhood games I also enjoyed football and cricket
Since childhood I also had a passion for joining the Indian Army and hence the passion for sports and fitness.
As I grew up in life, sports like football and cricket took a backseat and I developed a great love for table tennis and long distance running. Running for me is finding myself.
Satayarth describes how he is able to ‘find himself’ through the sport of running.
Who were your biggest role models in sport and adventure and younger?
Since I had an inclination to join the army army, I was self-motivated to be fit and active. I believe in not having any role models as it makes one lose his/her own identity as the person tries to emulate their role models.
However, I had always admired many sports persons from different sports and games.
What do you do for work and what is life like outside of your hobbies of sport and adventure?
I belong to a family where education is given great importance. I hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Degree in Management. I have worked with automobile giants like Tata Motors Limited and currently I am working in a financial services organisation.
World Politics, world history and defence studies interests me a lot. I am also a member of Toastmasters International and hence public speaking and debating also interests me.
I also stand for social causes. I intend to start a campaign to support the families of the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces. Every run that I will undertake will be dedicated to raise funds and spread awareness for this cause.
Satayarth has run over all kinds of terrain in all different weather conditions in his home country of India.
When did you realise you had a real talent for running and what were some of your early successes in the sport?
As stated earlier I since childhood I had been involved in sports and fitness activities. However, the real passion for running started in the year 2013, and since then there is no looking back. Since then I have had completed several 5K, 10K, half and full marathons.
Tell us about your ambition to get to UltraIronman and how do you intend to make it there?
UltraIronman in my ultimate goal, however, as of now it seems to be a distant dream.
As a short term goal I am targeting Comrades Marathon then subsequently Ironman and then UltraIronman.
With hardwork, training and blessings of the people supporting me I hope to reach my goal.
In preparation for his ultimate dream, an UltraIronman, Satayarth has taken part in numerous races including marathons and half-marathons.
How can our readers get involved and support your campaign?
It would be really great if the readers can support me through Dreamfuel. I need support to fuel my training, equipment etc.
Subsequently, readers can also support the cause that I would be running for.
