Kalyan, an engineering manager with a hearty appetite and a pragmatic approach to fitness, wasn't your typical adventure-seeker. His philosophy was simple: "I love to eat a lot, and the only way I can do that is to burn it off." This straightforward motivation kept him consistently active, with long weekend runs forming the bedrock of his endurance, even if he humorously described himself as "the most disciplined, undisciplined person."

The seed for his most audacious adventure yet, the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R) of the Grand Canyon, was planted by a friend. Already familiar with the canyon's allure from a previous Rim-to-Rim (R2R) hike, Kalyan found himself intrigued by the challenge of doubling the distance – a grueling 46 to 47-mile trek with a staggering 13,000 feet of descent and ascent. It was a chance to push beyond his marathon limits, spurred on by camaraderie and that ever-present desire to earn his next good meal.

We unpack the whole journey in this very insightful conversation.