Milind Soman is among the fittest guys in the entertainment industry and is known for doing things out of the box. Even at fifty, Milind is fit as a fiddle and ready to take on the most grueling marathons around the world.
Milind Soman, recently completed the Ironman triathlon in Zurich. Its among the most challenging triathlons in the world and involves a 3.8-km swim, a 180.2-km cycle ride and 42.2-km run. Milind completed the race in 15 hours and 19 minutes.
And why did Milind think of doing the Ironman? Because he thought it would have been the perfect gift to himself on his 50th birthday.
Soman, one of the most sought after male models in the industry, also dabbled in film and television. From the ‘Made in India’ video in 1995 to an impossible triathlon two decades later, Milind Soman speaks his mind on everything related to fitness.
Fitness at Fifty
“I think it is because of my fitness and health that I still feel like I’m 24. I never felt any kind of pressure to look young. I still get a lot of attention, so there’s no insecurity,” says Milind.
Milind, a champion of barefoot running for close to 14 years and a permanent fixture at marathons feels there’s growing awareness towards endurance sports in recent times.
He thinks those who’ve grown up in the ’90s are having trouble digesting the fact that the former model is hitting 50.
“I have the Made in India song, the other music videos, and the TV show Captain Vyom on my Twitter and Facebook feed all the time. So if people are watching that, they get a shock when they suddenly see a picture in the newspaper where my hair is completely grey. They probably feel, ‘He’s so old! When did that happen?” says Soman, with a laugh.
Soman’s next big project kicks off at the end of this year in Coorg. “It’s an event about tribal pride. It is based on health and barefoot running,” he says. Meanwhile, he’s already set his sights on the next Ironman challenge. “I’d love to do one every year.”
Is He a Misfit in the Industry?
Soman admits that his lifestyle choices do make him a misfit in the glamour industry, and yet, he’s never felt uncomfortable. “I was never drawn to the world of showbiz or the lifestyle that comes along with it. I don’t have an agent or a PR person,” he explains.
Raised in a Maharashtrian family of doctors, scientists and academics, he probably learnt not to take his celebrity too seriously. “I had no connection with media, advertising, films or television. I didn’t even have a TV in my house till I was 30. But when I did TV shows like A Mouthful of Sky and Captain Vyom, I got one to show my mom what I was doing,” he recalls.
He recently did a role in the Marathi film Nagrik (played a politician), he will also be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Bajirao Mastani. He’s also acted in three big budget Swedish films.
Associated With Various Fitness Initiatives & Socially Relevant Programs
When he’s not busy with fitness initiatives like the Pinkathon, an event aimed at raising breast cancer awareness, Soman does the odd movie now and then. “I enjoy acting but I don’t find the time to do it,” he says.
Despite his hectic schedule and involvement in various initiatives, Milind Soman’s main focus is still fitness.
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