The Working Athlete Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Barnowl Adventures. Check out some amazing bicycle tour offerings at https://barnowladventures.com/In this episode I talk to Harshveer Sekhon, a multiple time National champion in skating who pivoted to cycling and won many medals both on track as well as on road. He is one of the most versatile cyclists we have today and is one of the strongest. It was great to sit down with him to talk about his origin story, his career trajectory, the Pune Grand Tour, HCL cyclothons and much more. 00:00:00 – Intro: The Vision for Indian Cycling (Pune Grand Tour 2075) 00:00:30 – Sponsor Shoutout: Barnowl Adventures 00:01:28 – Welcome to the Working Outlet Podcast 00:02:11 – Early Beginnings: 14 Years as a National Roller Skater 00:03:02 – Starting Sport for Fun and Weight Loss 00:03:30 – Representing India at the 2018 Asian Games (Skating) 00:04:04 – The Decision to Switch: Skating vs. Cycling 00:04:38 – Overcoming Financial Hurdles & Lack of Government Support 00:05:05 – Encouragement from Seniors and Potential in Cycling 00:05:35 – Meeting First Coach: Gurba "Baga" Singh 00:06:45 – The Cost Barrier: Being Offered a Spare Bike 00:07:00 – First Time at the Velodrome: Instant Potential Identified 00:07:34 – Early Success: Bronze at 2018 All India University Competition 00:08:58 – First Track Nationals in Jaipur (2019) 00:10:05 – Comparing Training: Skating Hours vs. Cycling Endurance 00:10:45 – Training Principles: Block Periodization 00:11:20 – Joining the National Team & Silver at the 2019 Asia Cup 00:13:30 – The Impact of COVID-19 on Training and Competitions00:17:45 – Evolution from Track Cycling to Road Racing00:22:15 – Mental Resilience: Dealing with Injuries and Setbacks00:29:40 – The Importance of Proper Nutrition for Elite Cyclists00:35:10 – Analyzing the International Cycling Scene vs. India00:41:20 – Gear and Technology: The Role of Aerodynamics00:48:50 – Advice for Aspiring Young Athletes in India00:55:15 – Future Goals: Target 2028 Olympics and Beyond01:03:10 – Reflections on the "Cycling Life" and Personal Growth01:07:40 – Closing Thoughts: Preparing for Life Beyond SportAbout the podcast:The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing and hitting the bell icon so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future. Who is a working athlete? Someone working fulltime/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.If you like this, please hit the like button and share with friends who could be interested.The audio version of the podcast can be found here: https://anchor.fm/bikeyvenkyRSS: https://anchor.fm/s/395ff0e4/podcast/rssApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-working-athlete-podcast/id1534754174Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1G3dJvBPqHhY35kD2rtXQ4Google podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zOTVmZjBlNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/gp1tf758Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/the-working-athlete-podcast-WoK4pmBreaker: https://www.breaker.audio/the-working-athlete-podcastA bit about myself:I'm Venky/Venkateswara Rao in my work avatar, working in the IT industry in Bangalore. I'm Venky/Bikeyvenky for my friends in the cycling community.

This episode is brought to you by Barnowl Adventures. Check out some amazing bicycle tour offerings at https://barnowladventures.com/

In this episode I talk to Agasthi Chandrashekar and his mom Anupa Chandrashekar. Agasthi is an 18 year old BMX rider making a mark in races in South east Asia and the US. In this episode we talk about the amazing journey of this youngster and his family who went off the beaten track and pursued this unusual sport.

00:00:00 – Introduction and the "Next Race" Mindset; forgetting the previous run and focusing entirely on the next.

00:01:51 – Welcome Agasthi and Anupa Chandrashekar; Unlikely pursuit of BMX is in India, particularly in Hyderabad.

00:02:16 – Agasthi’s Early Start: From Endurance to Triathlons

00:03:42 – Discovering the Pump Track The "accidental" discovery of a local pump track in Hyderabad that changed Agasthi's athletic trajectory.

00:04:58 – The Big Choice: BMX vs. Triathlons Why Agasthi chose to focus on BMX over triathlons

00:05:21 – International Exposure: Racing in Malaysia The family's first trip to Malaysia for a BMX race, which opened their eyes to the global standard of the sport.

00:06:58 – What Makes BMX Special for Agasthi?

00:12:12 – Training in Hyderabad: Beyond the Track A look at Agasthi's current training regimen

00:16:28 – Targeting the 2032 Brisbane Olympics The family discusses their long-term vision

00:25:10 – Balancing Academics: The Homeschooling Advantage

00:27:22 – The logistical side of being a professional athlete, from setting a yearly calendar to managing finances and the "gate" at home.

00:31:24 – Challenges of BMX in India The difficulties of finding gear, safety equipment, and a local community of riders

00:37:02 – Exam Pressure vs. Race Pressure How Agasthi applies his "30-second race" focus to his school exams, finishing tasks quickly and efficiently.

00:46:00 – Is it the Parent's Goal or the Athlete's Goal?

00:55:33 – Representing India on the Global Stage Changing his USA BMX license to reflect his Indian nationality

01:02:42 – Overcoming Financial and Logistical Hurdles Anupa shares the reality of managing sudden challenges

About the podcast:

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing and hitting the bell icon so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working fulltime/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, please hit the like button and share with friends who could be interested.

This episode is brought to you by Barnowl Adventures. Check out some amazing bicycle tour offerings at https://barnowladventures.com/

In this episode I talk to Sreenath Lakshmikanth, 2025 Indian Road Nationals Criterium National Champion. He is one of the most hard working and most humble athletes I know. I have been following his journey from the very beginning and was fortunate enough to coach him for a couple of years at the start of his cycling journey. Over the years he has grown into a very accomplished rider and a great coach to many athletes. It is so heartening to see him succeed at Nationals and finally clinching a gold medal. It was fascinating to hear about his Nationals experience on how he overcame the disappointment of the road race to clinching gold at the criterium the very next day.

00:01:37 - Welcome and Congratulations on Winning National Criterium Gold

00:02:20 - Comparing the Gold to the Previous National Games Silver (Goa 2023)

00:02:46 - Discussing the Shift in Focus to New Events: Gravel and Mountain Biking (MTB)

00:04:51 - First Attempt to Qualify for Gravel World Championship in the UK (Greilok Race)

00:06:39 - Qualifying for Gravel World Championship in Kenya (Flat Tire, Crash, and Qualification)

00:08:28 - The Gravel World Championship Experience in the Netherlands

00:19:24 - Mental Preparation and Strategy for the National Criterium

00:23:32 - The Disappointing National Road Race Finish and Lessons Learned

00:30:19 - Breakdown of the National Criterium Gold-Winning Race (Attacks, Points, and Sprint)

00:37:44 - The Success of the Tamil Nadu Team and Importance of Support

00:41:37 - Future Goals: Focusing on Road Racing and the Granfondo world championships in Japan

About the podcast:

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing and hitting the bell icon so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working fulltime/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, please hit the like button and share with friends who could be interested.

The audio version of the podcast can be found here:

https://anchor.fm/bikeyvenky

RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/395ff0e4/podcast/rss

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-working-athlete-podcast/id1534754174

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1G3dJvBPqHhY35kD2rtXQ4

Google podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zOTVmZjBlNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/gp1tf758

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/the-working-athlete-podcast-WoK4pm

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/the-working-athlete-podcast

A bit about myself:

I'm Venkat/Venkateswara Rao in my work avatar, working as a Chief Data Analyst in the IT industry in Bangalore. I'm Venky/Bikeyvenky for my friends in the cycling community.

This episode is brought to you by Barnowl Adventures.

Barnowl creates supported cycling tours across India, south east Asia and beyond — blending beautiful routes,

authentic cultural experiences, and memorable stays.

I had the chance to ride with them on the Mae Hong Son Challenge in Northern Thailand back in 2024, and it was simply unforgettable — the roads, the stays, and the support they provide make it really special. And honestly, some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had was on that tour — these guys make sure local cuisine is central to the whole experience.

Check out their upcoming tours at www.barnowladventures.com.

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.com

If you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com

In this episode I talk to Ashish Sood. Ashish is a mountain biker and the organizer of MTB Himalaya and MTB Shimla races. In this episode he shares the behind the scenes aspects of organising such races in the unforgiving terrain of the Himalayas. He also shares his insights on the MTB riding landscape and how it evolved over the years in his view. It was a fascinating conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:38 - Ashish's Relationship with Sports Growing Up

00:04:29 - How Ashish Got Into MTB Cycling

00:06:04 - The Origin Story of MTB Himalaya

00:07:33 - The Early Years & Growth of the Race

00:10:56 - The Race Evolves: Arrival of Pro Riders & Hero Cycles

00:13:01 - Experience Racing the Transalp in Europe

00:14:23 - Key Differences: Racing in Europe vs. India

00:20:06 - What Goes Into Organizing MTB Himalaya?

00:23:57 - The Logistical Nightmare of Remote Camping

00:28:17 - Safety & Rescue in the Unforgiving Himalayas

00:31:06 - A Pro Rider's Terrifying 200-Foot Fall

00:33:30 - Why Manual Rider Tracking is Best

00:38:01 - Funny Story of a "Lost" Rider

00:40:41 - The Toughest & Best Editions of the Race

00:47:12 - How Race Routes Are Selected in the Himalayas

00:53:05 - "Mission Smile": Giving Back to the Local Community

00:55:06 - MTB Himalaya vs. MTB Shimla: What's the Difference?

00:58:33 - Developing the Next Generation of Indian Athletes

01:06:03 - The Current State & Future of MTB in India

01:10:47 - The Myth: Is Mountain Biking More Dangerous Than Road Cycling?

01:14:33 - Positive Signs for the Future of the Sport

01:21:08 - Final Thoughts

About the podcast:

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing and hitting the bell icon so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working fulltime/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, please hit the like button and share with friends who could be interested.

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.com

If you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com

In this episode I talk to John Lal Gwite. John is one of the strongest Ultra cyclists we have in India. In this episode he shares his experience of completing the Race Around Poland and the experience of London Edinburgh London(LEL 2025). Even more impressive than his ultra cycling abilities are his positive attitude, his humbleness and his hunger to keep pushing his limits to know the limits and expand them.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:03:59 - The Race Around Poland: 3600 km with 32,000 meters of climbing

00:05:12 - Training for an epic race: The Kashmir to Kanyakumari ride

00:07:48 - Key learnings on what to carry for ultra-endurance events

00:11:32 - John's strategy and goals for the Race Around Poland

00:12:27 - The self-supported nature of the race

00:15:53 - A major setback: A broken pulley 1200 km into the race

00:18:17 - The determination to finish: "I have to finish this no matter what"

00:20:42 - Pushing through exhaustion and hallucinations

00:23:21 - When the organizers force you to take a 12-hour rest

00:27:12 - The final push: Battling heavy rain 150 km from the finish

00:31:04 - An ingenious solution for the unexpected cold

00:33:14 - Final result and lessons learned from the race

00:38:03 - Back-to-back challenges: The London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) race

00:39:52 - Facing extreme weather at LEL

00:42:29 - Reflecting on the shortened LEL and personal satisfaction

00:45:48 - The mental game: "The more tougher it is, the better it is"

00:46:56 - Conclusion

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.com

If you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com

In this episode I talk to my good friend and photographer par excellence, Chenthil Mohan. Che shares how a journey he took inwards helped him over the last one year. We talk of multitude of topics in a free flowing conversation including about if AI is going to impact creative work and if so, how. It felt like a therapy session between two friends. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:48 - Celebrating 5 Years of the Podcast

00:03:19 - The Origin Story: Starting a Podcast During the Pandemic

00:04:35 - The Journey So Far & The Future of the Podcast

00:06:45 - What is a "Working Athlete"?

00:07:30 - Thinking About a New Podcast on Tech

00:10:13 - The Importance of Sustainability & Avoiding Burnout

00:11:57 - The Challenge of Keeping a Project Sustainable

00:13:44 - Current Training: A Mix of Gym, Cycling, and Running

00:14:42 - Recent Race Experiences & PBs

00:16:30 - Juggling Training Volume for Multiple Disciplines

00:18:11 - The Reality of Balancing Life, Work, Family, and Fitness

00:18:48 - Hitting Pause: A Journey into Mental Health

00:21:07 - How Meditation & Breathwork Changed Everything

00:22:41 - Discovering the Wim Hof Method & Cold Exposure

00:24:26 - Trusting the Process Over Chasing Results

00:26:33 - Learning How to Handle Loss from Professional Athletes

00:27:53 - Finding the Rush in Professional & Real-Life Challenges

00:29:54 - Shifting from Performance Goals to Foundational Health

00:32:08 - Using Habit Stacking for Consistency

00:35:00 - Adopting the "Something is Better Than Nothing" Mindset

00:36:18 - A Deep Dive into Journaling & "The Artist's Way"

00:39:48 - Learning Longevity from Athletes in Their 60s

00:42:05 - The Vipassana Meditation Experience

00:44:05 - The Shift from a Goal-Driven to a Process-Driven Life

00:47:53 - Reframing Setbacks as Opportunities for Growth

00:50:35 - How Journaling Helps Navigate the Swings of Life

00:53:36 - Onward, Inward, Forward: Finding Solutions Within

00:54:20 - Overcoming the Bane of Overthinking

00:57:08 - Exploring Different Breathing Techniques

01:01:30 - How Journaling Finally Became a Consistent Habit

01:03:17 - The Benefits of Ice Baths and Cold Showers

01:06:19 - Breaking Free from the Tyranny of Round Numbers

01:09:00 - Learning to Differentiate Between Laziness and a Need for Rest

01:14:31 - Redefining Goals: What Are You a "Working Athlete" For?

01:16:11 - A Look at Current Photography Work with Athletes

01:18:59 - The Explosive Growth of Hyrox

01:22:45 - Why People Are Drawn to Masochistic Events

01:24:40 - The Power of Staying in the Present Moment

01:25:55 - How AI is Used as a Tool in a Creative Profession

01:26:51 - Will AI Replace Human Creators?

01:33:39 - Focusing on Personal Responsibility

01:36:31 - Reflecting on a 14-Year Journey of Growth

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.com

If you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com

In this episode I talk to Mark Anderson. Mark is a double MIT grad who started on fitness journey in his 30s and never stopped. He is now in his 60s and if fitter than most of us. I first met Mark in 2011 during my first Tour of Nilgiris. He was here for a few days on a personal trip and joined us for a Nandi ride. I sat down with him post that and he was kind enough to share his experience and some words of wisdom from his long endurance journey.

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:40 Venky meeting Mark for the first time in TFN 2011

00:07:10 When and how Mark got into sports

00:13:40 Not wanting to be a scrawny cyclist, strength training

00:15:02 Venky importance of building muscle

00:19:25 Racing and training in the Bay area

00:26:00 Recovery as we age

00:27:50 Training as an older athlete

00:30:00 Balancing work and training, HTFU philosophy

00:33:10 Not letting fitness goals adding to the stress

00:36:08 His time in India, club culture, the lack of it

00:41:25 Venky on cycling clubs in India and the need for graded group rides

00:44:25 Racing season in India, improving skills of riders

00:49:00 Mentoring riders at Veloscope

00:50:30 Tour of Nilgiris experience in 2011

01:01:30 Weight loss and running

01:03:45 Words of Wisdom: Give yourself a break, hit the gym

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.com

If you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com

In this episode I talk to Siddhartha Gadekar. Siddhartha is a cyclist who found a passion for ski-mountaineering. He went from learning to ski to winning gold and silver at Khelo India Winter games in a matter of months. In this episode he shares his experience of cycling, bike packing, failing at Silk Road Mountain Race and how that lead him to ski-mountaineering! It is super inspiring to hear his story of going from a newbie at the sport to winning against some of the best in the country.

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:28 The Evolution of a cyclist

00:08:10 Memorable Racing Experiences

00:10:26 Nutrition and Strategy in racing

00:13:02 Transitioning to Ultra Cycling

00:15:35 The Birth of TerraFit

00:18:00 Exploring Trail Running

00:20:22 The allure of Bikepacking and Mountaineering

00:35:24 Exploring the Silk Road Mountain Race

00:39:59 The challenges o High-altitude cycling

00:45:08 Lessons from Quitting the race

00:51:37 The Transition to Ski Mountaineering

01:04:17 Competing in Ski Mountaineering events

01:07:53 Journey to Kazakhstan: Training and Preparation

01:08:32 Khelo India Winter Games: Overcoming Challenges

01:10:53 Competing against the best: The landscape of Ski-Mountaineering

01:12:58 The Thrill of Competition: Sprint and Vertical races

01:18:35 Unexpected Success: Medals and recognition

01:31:32 Future aspirations: Competing internationally

01:36:56 Words of Wisdom: Finding your passion

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.comIf you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com

In this episode I talk to Jai Arumugam. Jai is an Indian origin ultra cyclist from Dubai who is pursuing Ultra cycling while managing his diabetes. In the past he finished NorthCape 4000. He recently completed TransAm Bike NonStop, a 5600km bike race across America. In this episode he shares his experience of the race and the many learnings he takes from that experience.

00:02:53 Introduction to TransAm Journey

00:04:16 Inspiration and Motivation behind TransAm

00:08:22 Understanding the TransAm Race Structure

00:12:36 Preparation and Training for the race

00:17:28 Nutrition Strategies for Ultra Endurance

00:29:53 Pre-Race Anxiety and Getting to the start line

00:33:54 Understanding Ghost Pains and Mental Challenges

00:34:55 The Journey of an Ultra Endurance Race

00:36:51 Navigating the Terrain: From Mountains to Plains

00:41:21 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Long-Distance Cycling

00:53:58 Highs and Lows: The Mental State of a cyclist

01:04:45 The Kindness of Strangers and Community Support

01:06:49 Acts of Kindness and Human Connection

01:08:59 Manifestation and Positive Thinking

01:10:10 Living in the Moment

01:10:26 Crossing the Finish Line: A Personal Journey

01:17:27 Processing Emotions After the Race

01:21:46 Logistics of Ultra Cycling

01:29:05 Learnings from the TransAm Experience

01:32:50 Looking Ahead: Future Adventures

01:34:30 Closing

This episode is brought to you by www.thebikeaffair.com

If you are in search of a one-stop destination that caters to all your cycling needs, our today's sponsor, The Bike Affair, is the perfect place to check out! With over 14 years of experience, The Bike Affair has established itself as a trusted source offering honest advice and exceptional service. They are offering a special treat for the listeners of this podcast. You can enjoy a 10% discount on your first order by using the code 'BIKEYVENKY' on their website. Visit their bike store in Hyderabad or shop online by using the link www.thebikeaffair.com