In conversation with ultra runner Aum Gandhi, who is through his efforts amplifying the message around mental health and the South Asian experience in America. In his early 20s, Gandhi, then 29, embraced a sedentary lifestyle that resulted in weight fluctuations and mental health challenges, intensified by the demands of a high-stress engineering job. However, a transformative shift occurred when he casually took up running five years ago. This seemingly simple decision sparked a profound change as Gandhi developed an insatiable thirst for pushing his limits. What began with a modest 5K soon evolved into more ambitious challenges—a half marathon, followed by the ultimate feat of completing a full marathon. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Gandhi discovered the exhilarating world of trail running, which ultimately propelled him to achieve a remarkable milestone in April 2021: conquering his first 100-mile race. Gandhi's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing physical activity, not only for the body but also for mental well-being. His progression from a sedentary lifestyle to conquering ultra-distance races exemplifies the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for personal growth through determined pursuits.

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Hana Asano.