Page 14 - Masala Lite Issue 163 July 2024

One of the ways that you’ve befriended discomfort is switching from a career in a week’s time, I was back on my bike training again, for what was supposed to
in finance to sales to support your athletic endeavours. What were the biggest be the World Championships. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and
challenges in making this transition? everything was shut down for a while.
I thought that once I started representing the country, and once I won my first By the time competitions had resumed, I was already in the process of moving to
silver, brand deals would start flowing in, and I’d get a lot of money. I got zero Bangkok, and so I was dealing with the transition at that time. However, the wolf
cents. [Laughs] That’s when I realised that money doesn’t come that quickly, and that you talk about was still hungry. I always wanted to get back into cycling, but I
success doesn’t follow any kind of victory that quickly. I soon realised that it’s a had to find the right timing and schedule, and resume my previous lifestyle. It was
dog eat dog world, and there’s no free lunch. On the finance side of the world, as only earlier this year, in March, that I found out about the Asian Championships DISCOVER THE
a Professional Financial Analyst, my interest was in the stock markets, but I was in in Kazakhstan, which were held in June. Thus, I went back to competing at an
a different kind of role. I was more in corporate finance and budgeting, where the international level after a five year break. I had only 1.5 months to prepare myself,
money wasn’t great. I knew that I wanted to make money quickly to fuel this journey and to get to a competitive stage from absolutely doing nothing – aside from
of mine, and I didn’t want to ask my parents for money, which was something I was drinking beer all day [laughs]. 1.5 months of dedication and discipline brought me
completely against. back to a level where I could compete for the country again. After five years of no
competition, I still came fifth. It’s not that great, but I was happy with the decent CHARM OF SUNSET
I was told at the company that I was working at that there was an opening in Sales. positioning. I knew that if I could get my form back in a month, if I put in a whole
While I hadn’t done sales in my life, I realised that naturally every human is a seller year, there’s nothing stopping me from winning. The wolf is still hungry, I’m still
– we sell ourselves to friends, to people, to get them to accept us. So how difficult climbing, and I’m still feeling challenged.
could it be to sell a product? I just had to push myself in that spot of discomfort,
which I was used to. Once again, you need to be okay with discomfort to learn new Looking back on your incredible achievements, while also looking forward to
things. I burned the midnight oil, improved on my skills and methods, including how your goals for the future, such as winning Gold for India; what would you say OVER CHAO PHRAYA AT
to make a sales pitch to clients, and more. And through Sales, I knew that I could are the main bulwarks of your success?
be dependent on myself to make more money to fuel my passion
I would first like to thank my parents for being the cornerstone of my successful
How do you balance both a full-time job and a professional sports career? journey. They have always supported me in any way that was needed, and I am
grateful for that.
It is a challenge, I can tell you! It comes at a socialising cost – I can’t socialise late at
night, or go out partying in Sukhumvit. I have to wake up at 4.30am and train and The Aditya Mehta Foundation, of which I am a member, assisted me in my early years
ride until 8.30am. By 9.30am I’m at work until 6.30pm. And then whatever remaining by offering opportunities, guidance, and equipment. My coach for six years - The
time in the day, I spend reading, spending time with my wife, and whatever little Kansaltant, has helped me grow in this journey and kept pushing me even on my
socialising I can so that I can in bed by 10.30pm at the latest. Discipline is needed, and low days. The two companies I have worked for, InMobi and AppsFlyer, were very
it’s hard at times, but nothing good in life comes easy. And it’ll have good returns supportive, and I feel privileged to have been a part of them.
– at the worst case scenario, I’ll have a great physique and a healthy lifestyle! The
best case scenario, I’ll be a top professional athlete in prime shape and form, which After getting married, my wife has been the biggest VIEW VIDEO
will enable me to compete and win at international levels. source of encouragement in this renewed journey to win
the gold. She has never watched me compete, win, or
Winning the silver medal in Uzbekistan, and losing by only six seconds, was a step up to the podium, so this time, I want to do it for
tremendous achievement. How did this near-victory spur you even further in her. Of course, a large number of my family and close
your future goals, and what does your advice of, “be the wolf that always looks friends have always supported me and wished me luck
for the next feast of success” mean to you personally? in winning. I’m winning for them, too.

Uzbekistan was after my defeat at the Asian Para Games where I ended up last. That
was my fuel to keep getting better, and in Uzbekistan I again came second, but only
lost by six seconds. Coming six seconds to the goal, I knew I was getting better and

Step into Tapori, where the
avours of India come alive in a
unique and sophisticated setting.
Our menu features traditional
recipes from across India. From
Kashmir’s Tabak Maas and
Gujarat’s Undhiyo to
Pondicherry’s Lobster Assad,
each dish is a vibrant expression
of India’s rich tapestry of avours.
Our communal dining
experience invites you to share
and explore these hidden gems.

22/2 Sukhumvit Soi 47, Watthana, Bangkok 10110; RESERVATIONS: +66-645-693-798
OPENING HOURS: Dinner – Tuesday to Sunday: 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm. Opening for lunch soon. www.taporibkk.com

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 163 - JULY 2024