Meet Kaamya Karthikeyan, an 18-year-old mountaineering prodigy, polar explorer, TED speaker, and living proof that age is no barrier to extraordinary courage.

At just 17, she became the youngest female in the world to complete the Seven Summits Challenge, standing on the highest peak of every continent, including Everest and Vinson Massif in Antarctica.

On 27 December 2025, she skied to the South Pole, becoming the youngest Indian and second-youngest female in the world to do so.

𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 “𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁” 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀:

• Youngest Indian girl to summit Everest from the Nepal side (16)

• Youngest girl in the world to climb Aconcagua (12)

• Youngest Asian to summit Denali (14)

• Youngest person to ski down from Elbrus (10)

• Youngest girl to summit a 6000 m peak (at just 9)

All while pursuing a B.Tech in Computer Science at Shiv Nadar University, winning ski-mountaineering medals at the Khelo India Winter Games, and working toward the Explorers Grand Slam (North Pole still to go).

Recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Shakti Puraskar and mentioned in the Hon. Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat, Kaamya is on a mission (SAHAS) to show that the outdoors can shape focused, purpose-driven lives, and to inspire every young Indian, especially girls, to dream big.

Tag someone who needs this reminder that the biggest peaks start with one brave step.

#CourageTalks #MissionSAHAS #SevenSummits #SouthPole #YoungAchievers #Mountaineering #Inspiration

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝟭𝟯𝗘𝟱 — 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁

Diagnosed with Autism at just two-and-a-half, Varun spent his early years navigating therapies and finding his voice. Today, he is a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes.

From pursuing his first dream of becoming a chef and building Varun’s Bake n Flake, to discovering the transformative power of long-distance running in 2016, Varun has consistently redefined what is possible.

𝙄𝙣 2020, 𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙖 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙣.

Since then, he has taken on some of India’s toughest endurance challenges and is now chasing the Abbott World Marathon Majors, already conquering Boston (2025) and London (2026), with Berlin and New York City next.

  • But medals are only part of his story.

  • Varun runs for inclusion.

  • He runs to change perceptions.

  • He runs to show families raising children with autism that dreams can be bigger than labels.

Join us on Courage Talks S13E5 as we sit down for a very special discussion with a baker, musician, dancer, and marathon runner who reminds us that the greatest victories are measured not just by finish lines, but by the lives we inspire along the way.

Stay tuned. This is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

#CourageTalks #VarunSawant #AutismAwareness #Inclusion #WorldMarathonMajors #RunningForInclusion #Inspiration #Neurodiversity

🎙️ 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 | 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝟭𝟯𝗘𝟰

At just 16, Padakanti Vishwanath Karthikey from Hyderabad became the youngest Indian and the second youngest in the world to complete the legendary Seven Summits Challenge: summiting the highest peak on every continent, including Mount Everest on 27 May 2025.

From his first glacier trek at age 11 to standing on top of the world while balancing school, this young mountaineer’s story is a masterclass in courage, discipline, curiosity, and what’s possible when you refuse to let age or doubt define your limits.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗸 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀:

  • How a simple trek with his sister sparked a world-record journey

  • Navigating extreme conditions, family support, and mental toughness at altitude

  • Balancing elite mountaineering with academics and teenage life

  • His next chapter, aiming for the National Defence Academy and continuing to push boundaries

If you’re a parent, student, or anyone chasing ambitious dreams, this episode will remind you that the biggest peaks often start with small steps and unwavering belief.

#CourageTalks #SevenSummits #MountEverest #YoungAchiever #Mountaineering #IndianTalent #Inspiration #Adventure #Resilience #DreamBig

🚀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝟭𝟯𝗘𝟯 – 𝗝𝗮𝗵𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗔𝗦𝗔 & 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 – 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁! 🌌

What does it take for a young woman from a small town in Andhra Pradesh to train like an astronaut at NASA facilities, become the first Indian to complete AEXA’s International Air & Space Program, and set her sights on being among the first Indians on Mars?

Meet Jahnavi Dangeti – Analog Astronaut, Scientist-Astronaut Candidate, advanced scuba diver, TEDx speaker, and unstoppable STEM force.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝗝𝗮𝗵𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁:

  • Becoming the first Indian selected for AEXA’s IASP at NASA’s Space & Rocket Center, serving as Mission Director for an international team that successfully launched a mini-rocket.

  • Training as the youngest foreign girl in Poland’s AATC Lunar Analog Mission – living in isolation, conducting robotics, aquaponics & human performance experiments.

  • Geology field training in Iceland’s volcanic highlands, walking the same paths as Apollo astronauts.

  • Completing the Astronaut Candidate Program with spacesuit training, hyperbaric altitude simulations, and full mission sims.

Making a provisional asteroid discovery using PAN-STARRS data, building a lunar sample collector (now launched into space), and tackling NASA challenges in hydroponics, rovers & more.

Balancing extreme ocean conservation dives with her mission to inspire the next generation through ISRO outreach, NIT lectures, and mentorship.

Jahnavi’s story is proof that courage, curiosity, and relentless preparation can turn childhood dreams into real space-ready skills.

🎙️ Tune in to hear how she’s breaking barriers, making science accessible, and paving the way for India’s future in deep space exploration.

#CourageTalks #AnalogAstronaut #WomenInSTEM #SpaceExploration #ISRO #NASA #MarsMission #IndianAchiever #STEMinspiration #TEDxSpeaker #AnalogMission

🌊 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝟭𝟯𝗘𝟮 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘!

Meet Anshuman Jhingran, one of India’s most extraordinary young athletes and an open-water swimming prodigy who is rewriting what’s possible.

Born in Delhi and raised in Mumbai, Anshuman went from being a national-level pool swimmer (bronze medalist & Singapore Nationals competitor) to conquering some of the world’s most dangerous channels.

A cycling accident during lockdown that left him with a broken hand and multiple surgeries became the unexpected catalyst for his ultra-endurance journey.

  • At just 18, he became the Youngest Person in the World to swim the brutal North Channel (Ireland to Scotland), earning a Guinness World Record.

  • He is also the Fastest Asian to swim the Catalina, Cook Strait, and Molokai (Kaiwi) Channel, and has completed 6 out of 7 Oceans Seven swims.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁:

  • The life-changing cycling accident that pushed him into open water

  • His record-breaking 207 km of swims in just one month (Indian Record)

  • The mental battles, jellyfish, freezing waters, and what it takes to swim 15+ hours alone in the ocean

  • Balancing college (Psychology student) with chasing history

  • The role of courage, resilience, and family support in chasing impossible dreams

If you want to be inspired by raw determination, mental fortitude, and what the human spirit can achieve, this episode is a must-watch.

Drop a 🏊‍♂️ in the comments if Anshuman’s story moved you.

What’s one “channel” in your life you’re trying to cross right now?

Huge respect and congratulations to Anshuman on his incredible journey!

#CourageTalks #OpenWaterSwimming #OceansSeven #GuinnessWorldRecord #IndianAthlete #Mindset #Resilience #Swimming

🎙️ Courage Talks S13E1 - Young Achiever’s Special is NOW LIVE!

In this powerful opening episode of Season 13, I sat down with Renee Noronha, the 20-year-old endurance athlete who has become the Youngest Indian Female to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, and is on a mission to become the youngest woman in the world to finish an IRONMAN on all six continents.

From training 8 hours a day as an elite artistic gymnast to switching gears at 16 with zero swimming or cycling background… to crossing the finish line in New Zealand at just 18 and hearing “You are an Ironman”, Renee’s journey is pure courage in motion.

She’s also a student at IIT Madras (Data Science), a Boston-qualified marathoner, Hyrox winner, and someone who’s balancing insane training loads with academics while chasing massive dreams, including Kona and the Comrades Marathon.

This conversation is for every young girl (and woman) who’s been told her dreams are too big.

Renee’s message is clear:Don’t be afraid to dream boldly. You are far more capable than you think.If you want to feel inspired, motivated, and fired up to chase your own impossible goals, this episode is a must-listen.

Tag a young dreamer who needs to hear this!

#CourageTalks #YoungAchievers #IRONMAN #ReneeNoronha #WomenInSports #IITMadras #DreamBig #EnduranceAthlete #IndianWomenInSports

🚀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝟭𝟮𝗘𝟲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘!

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Munish Jauhar, a powerhouse entrepreneur, prolific angel investor, ultra-runner, and one of the most thoughtful leaders I know.

Munish is the Founder & CEO of GrayCell Technologies, an award-winning digital agency, and through GrayCell Ventures, he has invested in 120+ startups. Former Chair of NASSCOM Chandigarh & Punjab, Past President of TiE Chandigarh, and a man who brings the same discipline and depth to ultra-running as he does to building businesses.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼:

  • The heartbreak of missing Spartathlon due to malaria and how he bounced back

  • What it really takes to run 100 miles (and win races like Sahyadri Hills 100K)

  • Why ultra-running is the ultimate training ground for leadership and life

  • The future (and challenges) of sustaining ultra-running as a sport in India

  • Balancing entrepreneurship, family, investing, birding, heavy metal, and pushing personal limits at 50+

Munish’s wisdom, humility, and refreshing honesty make this one of my favourite conversations of the season.

If you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, or someone who loves stories of resilience and lifelong growth, this episode is for you.

Drop a 🔥 if you’re inspired to push your own limits.

What’s one lesson you’ve learned from endurance, in sport or in business?

Big thanks to Munish for the wonderful conversation!

#CourageTalks #UltraRunning #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Mindset #UltraRunner #ChandigarhStartups

🎙️ 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟮 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟱 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘!

From college athlete (basketball & softball) to ultrarunner, race director, and mental health advocate, this episode is a powerful reminder that the trails can heal, connect, and transform us.

Meet Kim Levinsky

Founder & Trail Party Director of Sassquad Trail Running (New Jersey) | Ultrarunner | FKT Holder

Kim turned her love for running into a mission: building an inclusive, welcoming trail community where everyone, regardless of pace, background, or experience, feels they belong.

Her journey includes:

Founding Sassquad Trail Running in 2018 — now one of the most vibrant grassroots trail racing organisations in the NY/NJ area

Setting the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 358-mile Long Path (first woman to do so), captured in the powerful documentary The Long Path: A Journey of Becoming

Racing ultras up to 200+ miles while openly sharing her mental health journey

Creating events that prioritise joy, accessibility, and community over competition

In this heartfelt conversation, Kim opens up about courage, vulnerability, the power of inclusive spaces, and how running became her path to healing and helping others.

If you’re a runner, race organiser, or someone who believes movement can be medicine for the mind and soul, this episode will inspire you to lace up and show up.

Tag a runner, a friend who needs community, or anyone on their own journey of becoming 👇

#CourageTalks #UltraRunning #TrailRunning #SassquadTrailRunning #MentalHealth #FKT #LongPath #WomenInUltra #InclusiveRunning #CommunityThroughRunning

What if the man who has run 150+ marathons over 40 years also happens to be one of India’s leading Sports & Exercise Medicine doctors, and has spent his life proving that running doesn’t destroy your knees, it actually heals and strengthens you?

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 Dr Rajat Chauhan — 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝗘𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲.

A true pioneer who brings a rare 360-degree perspective:

  • 40 years as a competitive runner with 150+ marathons

  • Founder & Race Director of La Ultra – The High, coaching athletes for the insane 555 km category in Ladakh’s extreme conditions

  • Former Technical Consultant & Head Coach (Running) for Adidas India

  • Author of The Pain Handbook (Penguin Random House) – a definitive guide to managing musculoskeletal pain without surgery

  • Founding Director of Sports & Exercise at Ashoka University

  • Visiting Faculty at the National Police Academy (achieved 0% injury rate for the 2024 IPS batch)

  • Champion of grassroots initiatives like Run2Fly, empowering rural adolescent girls through running

In this powerful episode, Dr. Rajat shares his evidence-based wisdom on injury prevention, the courage to push human limits, building resilience through movement, and why consistent, intelligent running is one of the greatest forms of preventive medicine.

He reminds us that true courage isn’t just about racing ultras, it’s about showing up, moving wisely, and helping others do the same.

Whether you’re a doctor, runner, coach, athlete, or someone struggling with pain and doubt, this conversation will shift how you think about your body and your potential.

🎧 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 / 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 →

(YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts |)

Tag a runner, a doctor, a coach, or anyone who needs inspiration to move more intelligently 👇

#𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 #𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 #𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 #𝗟𝗮𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮 #𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 #𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 #𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 #𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 #𝗘𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁

Very excited to share that Lisa Smith-Batchen, one of the most accomplished and inspiring ultrarunners in the world, is the guest on the latest episode of Courage Talks!

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝗮’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆:

  • First American woman to win the Marathon des Sables, a gruelling 150-mile, multi-stage race across the Sahara Desert

  • Two-time winner of the Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles through Death Valley in extreme heat)

  • The only person to complete the Badwater Quad, 584 miles

  • The first and only person to run 50 miles in all 50 states in just 62 days as part of her Running Hope Through America project

  • First person ever to run 306 miles from Las Vegas to the summit of Mt. Whitney, raising $590,000 for AIDS orphans

  • Completed the prestigious Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (four 100-mile races in one summer) as the first female finisher

  • 10-time Badwater finisher and 2012 Badwater Hall of Fame inductee

  • Multiple Ironman finishes and countless 50+ mile ultramarathons

She has been on t𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗟𝗔 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, and many more.

She was a main character in the film Running Under the Sun and has been featured on ESPN, CNN, Good Morning America, and more.

In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa opens up about the mental battles in the Sahara and Death Valley, what it took to keep going when her body screamed to stop, how she balanced world-class racing with being a devoted mother and wife, and the deeper purpose behind her extraordinary journeys.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone facing seemingly impossible challenges, Lisa’s story will ignite your courage and remind you of the incredible strength we all carry within.

Lisa, thank you for bringing so much wisdom, humility, and fire to the show. This episode is pure inspiration!

#CourageTalks #UltraRunning #EnduranceSports #MarathonDesSables #Badwater #MentalToughness #Resilience #Leadership #NeverGiveUp #DreamChaser