From Humble Beginnings to Ultraman Triumph: Inspiring Journey of Seattle-based Indian Triathlete Saurabh Ahuja

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In the world of endurance sports, tales of triumph often emerge from unexpected corners, where the resilience and determination of individuals to conquer challenges that seem insurmountable.

One such remarkable story is that of Saurabh Ahuja who transcended humble beginnings to become a beacon of inspiration in the world of triathlons, culminating in the finish of the gruelling Ultraman Florida triathlon, covering a brutal 515 kilometres in just three days.

Saurabh's journey began in 2011, amidst the bustling streets of Delhi, where the Delhiite embarked on a path of self-discovery through running training with the Reebok Running Squad.

The seeds of discipline and structured training were sown, under the mentorship of his Coach Gagan Arora, laying the foundation for what would become an extraordinary odyssey.

Transitioning into the realm of Ironman training, Saurabh's journey took flight, with each milestone pushing the boundaries of physical and mental endurance. Despite the upheavals of relocating to Seattle and the demands of family life, the unwavering guidance of mentors propelled him forward, navigating through challenges with unwavering determination.

His journey was not confined to the realms of sports alone. Rooted in the corridors of a government school in Delhi and later matriculating into the NSIT engineering program, the narrative of academic excellence and resilience began to unfold. Despite humble beginnings, his journey from an average student to academic excellence underscored the transformative potential of dedication and perseverance.

In an email interaction with myKhel, Saurabh, who is based out of Seattle, spoke about his incredible journey of this indomitable spirit, that was paved with unwavering dedication, steadfast resolve, and the guiding light of mentors.

Q: Can you walk us through your incredible journey from humble beginnings in Delhi to conquering the Ultraman Florida triathlon, covering a brutal 515 km in just 3 days?

Ans: I would like to express my profound gratitude to my mentors and coaches who have guided me throughout my 13-year journey. Huge thanks to Coach Gagan Arora, Kainoa Pauole-Roth, Kaustubh Radkar, and Subramani Venkatesh for all your support. They've been instrumental in my Ultraman journey, guiding me every step of the way. With their help, I achieved my goals and crossed the finish line with a smile.

My triathlon journey was simple: heed the advice of my coaches, adhere to their workout plans, and transform into an Ultraman.

Starting back in 2011, I stumbled upon running training with Reebok Running Squad in Delhi. Coach Gagan Arora introduced me to the world of structured training, and from there, it was a journey of discipline and progress.

Fast forward to Ironman training with Kaustubh Radkar and Subramani Venkatesh, each step pushing me further. Despite challenges, like relocating to Seattle and juggling family life, their guidance kept me going.

Then came Ultraman training with Coach Kainoa Pauole-Roth, setting milestones and pushing boundaries. Despite setbacks like injury and illness, her unwavering support got me through. Special thanks to Coach Matt Cambell and Michael Morrissey for their contributions to my journey.

Having great coaches made the complex simple, allowing me to focus on training while balancing life's demands. My advice? Find a good coach, trust them, and let them guide you. Cheers to everyone on their journey. Keep swimming, keep cycling, keep running!

Q: How did your experience in a government school and the NSIT engineering program shape your resilience and academic excellence?

Ans: My academic journey in govt school has been a roller coaster ride. Until the 9th grade, I was an average student, scoring around 60%. However, in the 10th grade, I began to take my studies seriously and secured the 3rd rank in my class with a score of 77%. This came as a surprise to both my classmates and teachers.

I opted for Science in high school, focusing primarily on Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM), as I was told these subjects were crucial. Despite not studying much in the 11th grade, I spent a lot of time playing basketball, often reaching school by 6 am, an hour and a half before it started. I was lucky to have a group of friends with whom I studied. My efforts paid off, and I scored 95.6% in PCM, although my English score was a modest 52 marks.

After high school, I took a year off to prepare for engineering entrance exams. This year, I studied in a library for 8-12 hours a day. My hard work paid off when I was admitted to the Computer Science program at NSIT, one of India's top colleges.

My time at NSIT was enriching, and by my final year, I had three job offers. Receiving my first salary, which was higher than my father's, was a moment of realisation about the transformative power of education. From being an average student to excelling academically, this journey has shaped my resilience and underscored the importance of academic excellence.

Q: With a successful career at companies like Solidcore, McAfee, Intel, and Amazon, how did you manage to balance corporate success with your passion for endurance sports?

Ans: Balancing a successful corporate career with a passion for endurance sports was initially challenging, but I gradually learned to manage and prioritise. During my tenure at Solidcore, McAfee, and Intel, I initiated Running and Cycling clubs. We organised numerous bike rides and participated in several running events. I was fortunate that these companies recognised the importance of employee fitness and well-being and supported these initiatives.

At Amazon India, I started boot camp classes, and after moving to Amazon USA, we incorporated activities like daily pushups after standup meetings. As I became more serious about my fitness and after having kids, I adopted a structured daily routine.

On weekdays, I dedicated the early morning hours (5-9) to workouts, followed by office work (9-5), and then family time (5-9). I aimed to follow this structure daily and considered my day successful if I could adhere to it 80% of the time. On weekends, I devoted the morning and early afternoon (5-12 or 1 pm) to training and workouts, which often required long hours. The rest of the day was for family, reading books, and completing pending office work.

I believe life is about compounding Health, Wealth, and Happiness. I prepare mentally for races and life by reading and learning from others' experiences. I have read over 50 self-help books on various topics, including finances, investing, life, Ironman, Ultraman, and more. This approach has helped me understand that life is all about Running (for Health/Fitness) and Reading (for Learning).

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced during your intense training for events like the Ultraman Florida triathlon, and how did you overcome them?

Ans: Training for the Ultraman Florida triathlon was a journey filled with challenges. Firstly, I realised the importance of having a mentor or coach to guide me through the journey.

Physically, I encountered several injuries over the past 13 years, including IT band syndrome, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and back pain. However, with the help of my coaches, none of these issues escalated to the point where I had to halt my training. I managed to overcome these hurdles and emerged stronger each time.

Participating in such events was a major financial commitment. With no Ironman Triathlons in India and my wish for my family's attendance, the expense, often viewed as a luxury, was substantial.

My first Ironman in 2016 cost 10 lakhs ($15,000), about half a year of my salary. I spent the same on my second Ironman in 2017, and 40 lakhs ($50,000) on the Ultraman over a year. Luckily, my career has flourished in the thriving software industry and my frugal wife has always been instrumental in managing our finances effectively.

Juggling family, friends, and training was challenging. I frequently turned down invites to evening events and late-night parties to get sufficient sleep for my morning training. I gave up watching Netflix and TV, though I later included Netflix during my lengthy indoor rides for mental stimulation. My contribution to household tasks was minimal, with my wife handling most of them, and my parents assisting during their visits to the USA.

Q: How did you juggle family life with kids in the US while pursuing your passion for endurance sports and corporate success?

Ans: Balancing family, work, and endurance sports in the US was a challenge. I structured my life into segments: early mornings for workouts, daytime for work, evenings for family, and weekends divided between long workouts and family time.

Despite occasional disruptions, I managed to stick to this 80% of the time. I remained a programmer to maintain flexibility, declined social events, and incorporated reading into my free time for wisdom. With my wife's support and a positive environment, we persevered.

Q: As someone who completed three Ironman triathlons before tackling Ultraman, what motivated you to aim for even bigger challenges like EPIC 5?

Ans: My motivation to aim for bigger challenges like EPIC 5 comes from my philosophy that life is all about compounding Health, Wealth, and Happiness. I see my life in decades, transitioning from OK to Good and great, and aiming to be the Best in the world by my definition by 50 in all three areas.

In terms of Health, I was generally fit in my 20s, completed my first Ironman at 33, Ultraman at 40, and am working towards the Ultraman World Championship and EPIC5 by 50.

For Wealth, which I distinguish from being rich, I started my first job at 22 and had saved 10 lakhs by 25. I've been able to consistently increase my net worth, and am on the path to continue doing so.

Happiness for me is about doing what I love, maintaining deep relationships with friends and family, and helping others. I grew up in a joint family and have a large circle of friends. I've been able to follow my passion, have amazing support from family and friends, and have started mentoring people.

As my kids grow up, I spend time with them and share my wisdom. I plan to continue pursuing my passion, invest in meaningful relationships, be a successful parent, and mentor more people. In essence, I'm writing my story, and let's see what the future brings.

Q: What message do you hope to convey to others through your inspiring journey of determination and achievement in the face of seemingly impossible odds?

Ans: Through my journey, I aim to inspire others to strive for extraordinary feats by pursuing what they love over time. What I thought would take a lifetime, I achieved in less than a decade. As outlined in the above question, I'm not rushing but enjoying my life daily. I avoid mimetic desires and design my life based on what I believe is best.

My advice to others is the same - to follow your passion, do what you love, think long-term, design your life, and work towards your goals from where you are now.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally, in the world of endurance sports and beyond?

Ans: For me Life, in its essence, is a journey of compounding three fundamental pillars: Health, Wealth, and Happiness. I envision my life in decades, evolving from satisfactory to good, then great, and ultimately striving to be the best in the world by my standards in all three areas by the age of 50.

When it comes to Health, I maintained a general fitness level in my 20s, accomplished my first Ironman at 33, and completed an Ultraman at 40. Now, I am setting my sights on the Ultraman World Championship and EPIC5 as I approach 50.

Wealth, for me, is not merely about being rich. It's about financial stability and growth. I embarked on my professional journey at 22 and managed to save 10 lakhs by the age of 25. Since then, I've been on a steady path of increasing my net worth.

Happiness, in my perspective, is about pursuing what I love, nurturing deep relationships with friends and family, and extending a helping hand to others. Raised in a joint family and blessed with a wide circle of friends, I've been fortunate to follow my passion. With the unwavering support of my family and friends, I've started mentoring others.

As my children grow, I cherish the moments spent with them, imparting my wisdom. My future plans include continuing to follow my passion, investing in meaningful relationships, being a successful parent, and mentoring more individuals. In conclusion, I am the author of my life story, eagerly anticipating what the future unfolds.