Milind Soman: Fitness at Sixty

Milind Soman is among the fittest guys in the entertainment industry and is known for doing things out of the box. Even at sixty, Milind is fit as a fiddle and ready to take on the most grueling marathons around the world.

At 60, Milind Soman completed the grueling 600-kilometer journey from Mumbai to Goa (in five days) as part of the Fit India Freedom Run. Each day, the Milind cycled 90 kilometers and followed it with a 21-kilometer run.

“I do this kind of challenge once a year, just to make sure that everything is working properly,” says Milind.

Milind is not really a gym fan and is often seen running, walking or swimming.

Few years back, Milind Soman had 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.

Milind Soman, in the ‘Made in India’ video song, sung by Alisha Chinai, in 1995

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.

Milind Soman completes incredible 1500-km ‘Green Run’. Milind lost seven kgs and five toe nails in his run from Delhi to Mumbai over a period of 31 days. He was accompanied by five runners in his stupendous journey. for his feat his name has entered the Limca Book of Records.
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, who is raised in a Maharashtrian family of doctors, scientists and academics, 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.