In this interview with Women Fitness, Meenakshi Ahuja shares her journey from tennis courts to marathons, a 50K ultra, Everest Base Camp, and HYROX.
Her fitness story began unexpectedly on a tennis court where she was waiting for her daughter, and grew one unplanned step at a time. From her first 5K to the Everest Base Camp trek, she shares how she listens to her body, bounces back from setbacks, and why enjoyment always comes first.
Participating in races and earning several podium finishes has given Meenakshi the confidence and encouragement to keep challenging herself and inspiring others along the way.
How It Began for Meenakshi Ahuja
What first got you into fitness? Was there a moment that hooked you?
It started quite unexpectedly, with tennis. My daughter had begun coaching, and while taking her to sessions, I thought, “Why not give it a try myself?”
Running came a little later, and that wasn’t planned either. My first 5K at the DNA Women’s Marathon changed things for me. I realised I loved challenging myself and seeing what I was capable of.
There was no single dramatic moment. One activity led to another: tennis to running, running to different races, and over the years, cycling, pickleball, trekking, strength training and, most recently, HYROX. What hooked me was the feeling of being active and the thrill of doing something I thought I couldn’t. Fitness has never felt like a destination for me. It’s become a way of life.
Meenakshi Ahuja on Training and Lifestyle
How do you structure your week across running, tennis and trekking without burning out?
I don’t follow a rigid plan. I fit my activities around the time I have on a given day instead of forcing a strict schedule. I run about three times a week and play tennis almost six days a week. Strength training has become an important part of my routine too, especially after HYROX.
I’m not a regular trekker. Everest Base Camp is the only trek I’ve done, so I don’t have a dedicated trekking routine. I prepare when a challenge comes up.
What protects me from burnout is that I genuinely enjoy what I do. I check in with my body, see how much time and energy I have, and decide from there. It’s about staying consistent, not following a perfect plan.
Has one sport helped another in a way you didn’t expect?
It’s not one sport in particular. It’s the combination. Running has been a big one because it builds stamina and endurance, and once you have that base, you can take on almost any other activity with more confidence. Tennis, pickleball, cycling, strength training, and trekking each challenge the body differently, and together they make you fitter and stronger. Even golf, which I played earlier, taught me things I carried into other activities.
I didn’t consciously realise it when I started, but over the years I’ve seen how interconnected they all are.
What does your eating look like when you’re preparing for a hard run or trek?
Quite simple. I don’t follow a special diet, and I don’t use artificial proteins or gels. I’ve never felt the need, and I prefer getting my nutrition from regular food. I make sure I get enough protein and keep my diet balanced, but I don’t add anything extra for a particular event.
I’ve been running for around 15 years and active for 15 to 16, so my stamina has been built through years of consistency rather than any diet or supplement.
The Everest Base Camp Trek
What made you decide on EBC, and how did you train for it?
Honestly, EBC just happened. I had never trekked before and had never imagined doing Everest Base Camp. A friend encouraged me, and I decided only about a month to a month and a half before the trek.
I didn’t do any structured training. After so many years of being active, my endurance was already good, touch wood. My only preparation was getting comfortable in my trekking shoes: I walked in them a couple of times and climbed stairs once. There was no altitude training. I went with the endurance I had, prepared myself mentally, and took it as a new challenge. By the grace of God, it went smoothly and became a very memorable experience.
What was the toughest moment, and how did you push through?
Since it was my first trek, I was already nervous. I’d been dealing with bronchitis and asthma for two to three years and was on medication, so I was apprehensive about breathing at altitude.
The hardest stretch came close to Gorakshep. My breathing got heavy, and I had a couple of sleepless nights, which was uncomfortable both physically and mentally. Then, completely unexpectedly, I got my period after almost a year. The flow was heavy, and I was totally unprepared. With scarce water and shared washrooms at that altitude, it made things even tougher.
My mindset got me through. I kept telling myself, “I’ve come this far; I can keep going.” I took it one step at a time, listened to my body, and carried on. The experience taught me that you don’t know what you’re capable of until you’re put in the situation.
What would you tell a woman who is inspired by a trek like this but feels intimidated?
Go for it! Endurance matters, and you do need to prepare, but if you’ve decided you want to do it, I truly believe you can.
Your mind plays the most important role. Dedication, determination, and the will to do it can take you a long way. Prepare physically, prepare mentally, and then go. Don’t overthink it or intimidate yourself before you’ve even started. Take that first step, and I’m sure you’ll surprise yourself.
Races and Milestones
Was there a race or match that was a turning point?
My first full marathon, in Bangalore in 2018. I’d done shorter distances and half marathons, but never imagined I could run 42 kilometres. Finishing gave me a huge boost of confidence and showed me I could go beyond what I thought was possible.
That carried forward. I ran my first Tata Mumbai Marathon in 2019, then began pushing for longer distances: the 50K Pinkathon organised by Milind Soman in December 2024, followed by the Tata Ultra 50K in February 2025. The 50K is my longest so far, and it was a natural progression from that first marathon.
Setbacks and Resilience
How do you handle setbacks and injuries?
They’re part and parcel of any fitness journey. I had a knee problem in my early running years, and later spondylitis, which affected my tennis for a while.
With the knee, I was scared. I couldn’t squat or bend properly and had a 21K race coming up. For a moment I wondered, “Is my fitness journey going to end here?” Thankfully, treatment, including acupuncture, helped me recover. When spondylitis affected tennis, I kept running. My approach is that if one activity isn’t possible, I find another way to stay active while my body recovers.
I listen to my body and never ignore an injury, but I don’t let a setback stop me completely. Accept that setbacks will happen, give yourself time, and then keep moving forward.
What’s Next
What’s next on your adventure list?
My latest adventure was HYROX, a completely new challenge. I trained for about three months, competed in Women’s Doubles, and finished in under two hours, which was quite unexpected and made me very happy.
Running will always be a constant. Next, I’d love to explore a triathlon and maybe eventually an Ironman. The hurdle is swimming. I’ve been trying to learn for years, and it’s still a work in progress!
I don’t keep a rigid list of big goals. I want to keep trying new things, stay consistent, and enjoy the journey, because for me, enjoyment comes first.
“Fitness has never been a destination for Meenakshi Ahuja. It’s a way of life, and she’s still enjoying every step of it.”