"Every other morning when I wake up to run after returning from work really late, getting out of that blanket is my 'Nothing is Impossible moment'. ", says Journalist and Athlete , Shibani Gharat

Ever since I had spoken to her for doing a story for my client 2 years ago,(To cover a sports related story) she sounded very passionate towards her work and that time I realized her love for sports is immense. After having connected on social networking sites I mostly everyday saw different pictures and posts in which she was tagged, not for being a journalist but for being an athlete. If she is in Mumbai you will definitely  spot her at Shivaji Park jogging. Every morning on my wall I still see pictures of her running, swimming and winning recognition for sports across the globe. Let’s Talk Life with Journalist and Athlete Shibani Gharat, where she talks about her job of being a journalist at CNBC AWAZ, her love and passion for sports and how she balances her love for sports and her job as a journalist.

• Kindly tell us something about yourself ?

I am a journalist-anchor with the business channel CNBC Awaaz. I have studied journalism too. I am through and through a curious person since childhood. And I attribute my experiences over the life to my curiosity. I am always willing to explore something new all the time and that is how I have been. Any form of monotony is something I detest. I like rhythm to things but breaking that rhythm is also equally necessary.

• How did Sports interest you? 

I have been a taekwondo player in college but suddenly when I started working, I had to give up the sport. Any form of sport requires certain amount of discipline in terms of training and I with the kind of work life that I lead couldn’t fit in the classes for my taekwondo in my schedule. After I gave up on the sport I was living a sedentary lifestyle. A very deskbound job had its implications on my back. I was bedridden for a month. That was a wake up call. As the back injury started healing even with limited effort I got back into some sport. Running was the easiest. But, swimming still makes me go weak in my limbs. As a child I would cut out pictures of swimming pools from magazines and make a collage of them in a notebook. Blue water weather it is the sea or the pool still continues to fascinate me.

• What motivated you to become an athlete?

Positivity of it. Any physical activity makes me feel awesome. Alive-is the word. I like the sleep that I get post a really tough, difficult training session. It makes you feel you deserve that long nap and you deserve the food that you eat. It gives me happiness and has also given me so many friends.

• Talk about your journey as an athlete?

I think it is a journey without a destination.

• What are the requirements to become a good athlete?

1. Attitude. and a positive one. Every match/event/game whether your performance is good or bad is an experience. It helps you learn and improve. Nobody is your competition or enemy-you are your own enemy.

2. Ability to ‘not hold on’

The more you let go the better you are

• Share with us about your achievements as an athlete?

Currently only running as I get only as much time-so I do ultramarathons at places that I like and find interesting. I have done two 100 km races and a 72 km run over the highest motorable pass in the world.

• Apart from your job and sports what do you do in your past time?

Hahahah..there is no time to pursue anything else beyond running.

• How do you manage your work ( as a journalist) and passion ( of being an athlete)?

It is easy. Running for me is like brushing teeth or eating food. It has become a habit.

• How beneficial is sports as a career for women?

A lot needs to be done. First the mindset of the people in our country needs to be changed in terms of letting women alone to make their own choice on what they want to pursue. This will only come with enough facilities provided to women, the right kind of infrastructure and an assurance that they will be safe and secure.

• Advantages of choosing your career? 

It feeds my daily need of learning something new.

• Challenges that you faced during your journey? How did you overcome them?

There were many but I take them as they come

• What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?

Every other morning when I wake up to run after returning from work really late, getting out of that blanket is my 'Nothing is Impossible moment'. 

• Lastly what advice would you give to the aspiring athlete's who want to make their mark in the field?

Follow your heart and listen to your body.

Stay Connected

• http://letstalklifenothingisimpossible.blogspot.in/
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Talk-Life-Nothing-is-Impossible/892619790767694