Run-Pod

In a rare and refreshing role reversal, RunPod Episode 36 turns the spotlight inward.

For the first time, Brig J Muthukrishan, SM, VSM—the familiar host and commanding voice of RunPod—steps out from behind the microphone and into the interviewee’s chair. Leading the conversation are two young, dynamic long-distance runners, Medical Cadets Zoha and Chaitanya, whose energy, curiosity, and endurance mirror the very spirit RunPod stands for.

Released on the occasion of the New Year, this special episode is more than an interview—it is a celebration of leadership, resilience, mentorship, and the passing of the baton between generations. Through candid questions and thoughtful reflections, listeners gain a rare glimpse into the journey, values, challenges, and philosophy of a leader who has inspired many—both on the track and beyond it.

As the year turns, this episode reminds us that growth begins when we listen, learning is lifelong, and every leader is also a runner on a longer path.

🎙️ An epic conversation. A symbolic beginning. A New Year special you don’t want to miss.

In the 35th episode of RUNPOD, hosted by Brig J Muthukrishnan, we sit down with two exceptional medical cadets—Chaitanya Agarwal and Vikas Kumar—whose journeys exemplify endurance, consistency, and quiet grit.

Chaitanya, a multiple-time marathoner and SRTL 100 km finisher, also served as Secretary of the AFMC Marathoners Club (2024–25) and has played a key role in organizing college running events. He believes progress in sport comes from consistency, quality training, and commitment to the process.

Vikas has completed multiple marathons, ultra trail runs, including the SRTL 100 km, and a 200 km BRM cycling brevet, finding clarity and resilience through long hours on the trail. For him, running is more than a sport—it is a teacher of discipline, patience, and resilience. He finds clarity in long hours spent alone on the trail, where consistency matters far more than perfection.

This episode is a deep dive into the mindset of young endurance athletes in uniform—how running shapes character, leadership, and life beyond the finish line. So tune in now to be mesmerised and motivated by these two young ultras.

In this episode of RunPod, we feature Maj Srishti Khullar, commissioned into the Indian Army Medical Corps in 2015, an Ophthalmologist by training, and a para-qualified officer who’s earned her maroon beret through sheer determination and daring.

From the snowy posts of East Sikkim to the surgical lights of AFMC, and from leading the first-ever AFMS contingent at the 75th Republic Day Parade to participating in Operation Brahma—India’s humanitarian mission to earthquake-affected Myanmar in 2025—her journey is one of resilience, leadership, and service.

As a runner, soldier, and surgeon, Maj Khullar shares how discipline, endurance, and purpose flow seamlessly through both her profession and her passion. Tune in for a story that is as inspiring on the ground as it is in stride.

In Episode 33 of RunPod, we welcome Col Ashish Simalti (Retd), a D2 batch alumnus of AFMC and a seasoned paediatric intensivist, whose relationship with running is refreshingly personal.

For him, running is not about mileage, medals, or medical metrics—it’s an indulgence, not an obligation. It's a quiet rebellion against pressure, a return to self when the world turns overwhelming. Over the years, running has become his sanctuary, a space to reflect, to recover, and to just be.

This episode is a calming counterpoint to performance-driven narratives—a conversation about running for joy, peace, and presence. It’s about lacing up not to chase time, but to find it.

In Episode 32 of RunPod, we welcome Maj Pranshu Agrawal, a B3 batch alumnus, long-distance runner, and committed physician whose strides on the road echo far beyond the finish line.

For Maj Pranshu, running has been more than a sport—it’s been a teacher. Through countless kilometers, he has embraced the lessons of resilience, patience, and perseverance, qualities that now shape his approach to medicine and life. In this conversation, he reflects on the parallels between pushing physical boundaries during training and navigating the emotional and mental demands of his professional world.

Whether you're a doctor, a runner, or someone finding meaning in motion, this episode is a reminder that some of life’s deepest truths come to us one step at a time.

In Episode 31 of RunPod, we feature Col (Dr) Shivani Sangwan, a pathologist and a K2 batch alumnus of AFMC. Trained in cytogenetics and posted at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, she brings the same precision and discipline from the lab to the long run.

From Half Marathons and Full Marathons to the gruelling 100 km Border Ultra, Col Shivani is now venturing deeper into the world of ultra-distance running. For her, running isn’t a task — it’s transformation. As she puts it, “Running is my religion and my body is my temple.”

She shares the joys of solitude, the lessons of endurance, and her belief that women are naturally gifted for the ultra format — backed by both science and spirit. With a Bronze finish in the HDOR 100-day challenge (1,755 km), and a mindset built on patience and resilience, her journey is a beautiful blend of science, self-belief, and soul.

Tune in to hear what it means to thrive on EDSO, to fall, to rise, and to keep moving forward — one powerful step at a time.

In the 30th episode of RunPod, we’re joined by Gp Capt Pragya Sharma, an oncopathologist from AFMC and a proud alumna of the H2 batch. Her running journey has been anything but linear—marked by determination, resilience, and an unwavering belief in bouncing back.

From injury setbacks to recovery, and from frustration to finish lines, her story is stitched together by a simple but powerful motto: “Fall seven times, rise eight.” She shares what it means to lace up after every fall, to rebuild strength—physically and mentally—and to never let a pause become a full stop.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just learning to get back up, this episode is a tribute to the quiet courage of showing up again.

In this offbeat and thought-provoking episode of RunPod, we meet Lt Col (Dr) Sreevatsa T , a runner who defies conventional playbooks. No obsession with personal records. No fixed training distances. No gels, gadgets, or hydration rituals. Just purpose, curiosity, and instinct. Whether it’s pausing mid-run for a photo, fueling with a minimalist one-meal-a-day diet, or running through the night without a set destination, our guest embraces discomfort and finds joy in the unscripted. Audiobooks, cycling, and swimming add texture to the journey—but the real power lies in tuning into the body, not the stopwatch.

This episode is for anyone who's ever questioned the rules, run for joy, or believed that the road doesn’t need to be conquered—it just needs to be travelled, freely.

n Episode 28 of RUNPOD, we dive deep into the remarkable journey of Surg Lt Cdr B Sai Pavan Kumar, an alumnus of AFMC’s A3 batch, Aquatics and ICSR captain, and currently a Submariner in the Indian Navy.

From morning runs at AFMC that instilled discipline and purpose, to navigating unpredictable deployments at sea, Sai Pavan shares how running has been his compass—anchoring him through diverse experiences. Whether it’s paragliding, surfing, hiking, or reading over 100 books in two years, his story is about embracing life fully while remaining grounded in motion.

As he transitions out of the Forces, his reflections on movement, mindset, and the enduring lessons of long-distance running offer a masterclass in resilience and curiosity. This episode is an ode to those who find clarity in solitude, strength in routine, and freedom in every stride

In this episode of RunPod, we meet Dr Pratyusha Yedla, an alumnus of AFMC’s A3 batch and a passionate runner whose journey began in 2016. What started as short sprints has turned into a lifelong rhythm — of chasing distance, finding clarity, and staying grounded through movement.

With a characteristic wit, she shares how she now spends most of her time “running—away from the humdrum of life—and occasionally practicing medicine.” Tune in to hear how this spirited officer weaves running into her identity, and why for her, every mile is a step toward something deeper.