Sarthak Malani is not the runner next door who chases PBs.  Rather, he changes how running is viewed—he runs barefoot and backward. He is much liked by runners in the community and he inspired many others to take up running (backwards). 

In this episode, Vikas sits down with Sarthak to discuss what inspired Sarthak to take up running backwards:

In this episode, they cover:

• How Sarthak transitioned from shoes to barefoot running over 6 to 8 months
• Why backward running works, how it gave relief to his runner’s knee, and how he got back to running from 100 metres to over 60 km
• Training without a coach, doing back to back long runs, and what actually helped him achieve a 1:29 half marathon
• Running in Kenya and what Kenyan athletes taught him about truly slow running
• His advice to beginners, fall in love first, ignore social media, and stop comparing and
• A moment in Kolkata that reminded him why being able to run at all is the biggest privilege

This one will make you want to take your shoes off and just run.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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Welcome back to Run with Fitpage!

As the 130th Boston Marathon approaches on April 20, 2026, we are bringing back one of our most cherished conversations — our episode with Jack Fultz, the 1976 Boston Marathon champion.

This year marks the Golden Jubilee of Jack Fultz's legendary victory — 50 years since one of the most iconic and grueling races in marathon history. On that day, temperatures had already crossed 100 degrees an hour before the noon start. Spectators lined the course with garden hoses to cool down the runners, earning the race its legendary name, "The Run for the Hoses." With fewer than 40 percent of the 1,898 starters managing to finish, Jack held his composure, took the lead with six miles to go, and never looked back, finishing in 2:20:19 to become only the 5th American to win Boston since World War II.

In this episode, Jack takes us deep into his race strategy, his mindset, and the lessons he learned from running one of the most brutal marathons in history. He shares the fascinating insight that viewing other runners as allies rather than opponents was one of the key reasons behind his victory. Post his running career, Jack has coached the Dana Farber Institute Boston Marathon team and spent nearly 30 years teaching sports psychology at Tufts University, making him one of the most thoughtful voices on what it truly takes to run and win

If you are an Indian runner heading to Boston this April, or a runner anywhere in the world gearing up for your biggest race yet, this conversation is one you cannot afford to miss. From race strategy and pacing to the mental side of running 26.2 miles, Jack covers it all — and every word of it is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

Whether you are toeing the start line in Hopkinton this April, chasing a personal best, or simply a lover of the sport, this episode is a masterclass in racing smart, staying mentally strong, and finding meaning in every mile.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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Most people see running as just a fitness activity. For Dr. Sonia Haboub, it became a powerful tool for healing, resilience, and personal transformation. After overcoming early-stage cancer and leaving a high-profile corporate career, she discovered that running not only helped her recover but also gave her a new purpose: inspiring others to push beyond their limits.

In this episode, Sonia shares her journey from Italy’s snow-covered Alps to the UAE and explains how running helped her build mental strength, self-awareness, and inner peace. She also talks about how complete beginners can start running by focusing on enjoyment rather than obsessing over pace, gear, or performance, and how to overcome common fears like body image, judgment, and inexperience.

We also explore practical insights—why mindset is crucial for consistency, how social media affects new runners, and whether run clubs truly help long-term progress. Sonia emphasizes the importance of listening to your body, celebrating progress over perfection, and staying patient with your journey.

Whether you are an experienced runner or someone thinking about starting, this conversation offers inspiration, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on running—not just as exercise, but as a path to resilience and self-growth.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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Dr. Michael Fredericson works at Stanford University as a Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He is widely recognized for his research and clinical work in running injuries, biomechanics, and endurance athlete care, helping runners and athletes worldwide improve performance while staying injury-free.

In the conversation today, he discusses running injuries with Vikas. The conversation explores shin splints, knee pain, achilles tendon and flat foot - how to recognize early warning signs, manage training loads, and prioritize recovery. He also breaks down the role of biomechanics, footwear, foot structure, and running form in preventing injuries and improving running efficiency.

The podcast reveals the emerging new treatment of shockwave therapy, the benefits of cross-training, and why many beginner runners push too hard too soon. The episode emphasizes that patience, progressive training, and proper recovery are essential pillars of sustainable running performance.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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In today’s discussion, we will be covering everything you need to know for TMM 2026. This content will include race-week nutrition, race-day fueling, and sleep strategy for the entire week. How to get to the expo and collect your bib, what to keep in mind and what not to, apparel and shoe selection, and recommended do’s and don’ts for race week. I would recommend you all go through each of these points in detail and make a note, as these might come in handy as you prepare for the race. Good luck, and I’m sure you will do your best.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!

Smelling onions and shoes are two of the biggest myths as a treatment for Epilepsy.  There is still a stigma to discuss about the condition.  People still hide the condition and think of it as a curse.  

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Manjari Tripathi, Professor in the Department of Neurology at AIIMS Delhi, where she heads the Centre of Excellence for Epilepsy. A pioneering neurologist with over 350 publications, she has advanced epilepsy surgery techniques and trained generations of neurologists across India. Vikas & Dr Tripathi discussed in detail what epilepsy really is. Why does rural India face higher rates of epilepsy cases? The dangerous myths that prevent treatment, and the critical first aid everyone must know.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Epilepsy is electrical chaos in the brain, not a mental illness: Hyper-excitable neurons cause short-circuits leading to seizures. It can happen at any age from preventable causes like head injuries, infections, etc.
• Head injuries are India's most preventable cause: From kids falling off roofs while flying kites to helmetless riders on phones, trauma leads to seizures months or years later: sleep deprivation, alcohol, and certain antibiotics lower seizure thresholds.
• Shoes & onions for the treatment of seizures are just baseless myths. Learn the first aid - Turn the person on their side, loosen tight clothing, time the seizure. If it lasts over 5 minutes, rush to the hospital. Recording the seizure on video helps doctors diagnose correctly.
• Rural India’s hygiene problem & the epilepsy connection - Poor sanitation causes tapeworm eggs to reach the brain through unwashed vegetables, triggering seizures. Myths about spirits and past karma prevent families from seeking proper medical care.
• Provoked seizures are not epilepsy - Seizures within 24 hours to a week of stroke, low sodium, alcohol withdrawal, or acute infections are provoked seizures requiring only short-term treatment. Epilepsy means two or more unprovoked seizures needing longer treatment.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Prabhat Jha, Nuffield Professor at the University of Oxford and Professor of Global Health at the University of Toronto. A world-leading epidemiologist who led the Million Death Study tracking premature deaths across India, he discovered that quitting before age 40 avoids nearly all smoking risks. Vikas & Dr. Jha discussed in detail the massive underestimation of smoking dangers, why cigarettes are lethal, how the tobacco industry engineers addiction, and the surprising speed at which your body repairs itself after quitting.

Here are some key takeaways:

• A typical smoker loses a full decade of life - Worldwide, smoking kills 5-7 million people annually, including a million in India alone. Even light smokers face tripled mortality risk.
• Duration matters more than quantity - Smoking just 2-5 cigarettes daily for 20 years is far worse than a pack a day for 10 years. Prolonged exposure drives cancer and arterial damage.
• Quitting works fast and dramatically - Half the excess risk disappears within three years of quitting. Quit by 40 and you avoid 9 years of lost life; even quitting at 60 gives back 4 years.
• The tobacco industry engineers your addiction - Companies manipulate nicotine pH for maximum brain impact, target specific demographics with customized products
• Smoking damages every organ in your body - From mouth to bladder, smoking causes cancer throughout the digestive and urinary systems, destroys lung elasticity, damages arteries causing heart attacks and strokes, and reactivates dormant TB infections.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. David Nieman, Professor in the department of biology at Appalachian State University and director of the Human Performance Laboratory. A pioneer in exercise immunology with decades of research, he discovered why marathon runners get sick after races and how to prevent it. Vikas & Dr. Nieman discussed in detail about the immune system's response to heavy training, why marathons can suppress immunity, optimal fueling strategies, and how to find your training sweet spot without falling off the overtraining cliff.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Marathon running temporarily crashes your immune system - After a marathon, your odds of getting sick are 2-6 times higher for 1-2 weeks. The stress depletes glycogen, spikes cortisol, and creates an "open window" for viruses.
• Carbohydrate is your immune system's fuel - Taking in carbs before, during, and after long runs reduces inflammation by 40%. 
• Half marathons are the safe distance - Studies show minimal immune suppression after half marathons. It's when you push beyond 90 minutes at race pace that glycogen depletion triggers immune dysfunction.
• Blueberries are nature's immune support - Eating a cup daily for two weeks before intense training lets polyphenols accumulate, reducing inflammation and boosting immune function.
• Never run through a fever - Exercising with systemic illness (fever, body aches) can trigger chronic fatigue syndrome. Take enough rest till you fully recover.
• Find your sweet spot - Persistent fatigue, irritability, and requiring naps are signs you're pushing too hard. Some athletes push too far and fall into a chronic fatigue state that ruins their lives for years.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Stuart M. McGill, distinguished professor, emeritus of Spine Biomechanics at the University of Waterloo. With over 40 years of research and 245+ peer-reviewed publications, he has helped everyone from Olympic athletes to everyday people overcome back pain. Vikas & Dr. McGill discussed in detail about spine biomechanics, how the body works as an elastic system for running, why most runners don't need heavy deadlifts, and practical strategies to build a resilient, pain-free back.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Distance runners are elastic athletes, not strength athletes - Great runners store and recover energy through tuned stiffness in their fascia and tendons, not by building maximum muscle strength. Deadlifts may actually hurt your running performance.
• Core endurance matters more than core strength - Maintaining good form throughout a marathon requires core endurance to prevent energy leaks, not maximal strength. Train your core.
• Sitting is damaging your back and your running - Eight hours sitting at a desk, builds cumulative damage that can't be undone by hard training at night. Take frequent micro-breaks at home or in office, to maintain back health.
• Barefoot running teaches optimal mechanics - Running without shoes forces you to find the sweet spot between absorbing shock and preserving elastic energy. Too much cushioning makes you slower and loads your tendons more.
• Sciatica can often be resolved without surgery - Most sciatica cases respond to understanding the pain mechanism and following proper movement patterns. Surgery should be considered only after conservative approaches have been thoroughly tried.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Bindu Menon, a distinguished Indian neurologist and Professor and Head of the Department of Neurology at Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Nellore. As the founder of the Dr Bindu Menon Foundation and the innovative Neurology-on-Wheels initiative, she brings neurological care to underserved communities across India. Vikas & Dr. Menon discussed in detail about how the brain functions, the impact of digital overload on cognitive health, identifying signs of digital addiction, and practical strategies to protect and enhance brain function through lifestyle modifications.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Your brain gets tired from constant screen time - Jumping between apps and scrolling endlessly overloads the part of your brain responsible for focus, leaving you mentally exhausted and unable to concentrate.
• Brain health has three pillars: sleep, nutrition, and exercise - Good sleep consolidates memories, proper nutrition (B12, iron, vitamin D) fuels your brain, and exercise builds a reserve tha protects you when you get sick.
• You're digitally addicted if you can't put your phone down - Checking your phone every minute, feeling restless without it, or being unable to finish reading a page are clear warning signs of addiction.
• Your brain needs downtime to work properly - Unlike the past when we'd watch one movie and discuss it, today's non-stop information doesn't give your brain time to rest and process memories.
• Beat phone addiction by finding real-world pleasures - Replace your phone dopamine with activities that make you equally happy. Writing, running, basically anything that gives you genuine satisfaction and engagement.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!