Swetha Devaraj

Nickname: PIA

I was a professional tennis player and for university in the US. I started running around campus just to destress post training or early mornings which slowly turned into a passion. When I moved to Miami which is known for outdoor activities and lot of endurance athletes, I got influenced by them to register for a few races. I loved the spirit of running in competitions, which us one of the main reasons I still compete. The obstacles I see again and again are injuries which is a part of any sport but with proper rest, supplementation and rehab I have been able to get back into the sport without problems. Sometimes recovery is an issue as well.

I look upto a lot of elite runners in India and outside and I get inspired them a lot, so I hope to achieve what some of them have in terms of dedication and discipline, improve my timing in every category I run. As every athlete around the world, I’m curious and always hungry for more so anytime I achieve a goal that I have set there is always another immediate one so it kind of keeps changing. Sky is the limit right? My dream is to run as long as I can without being injured. Compete in Ironman, ultra marathons and marathons around the world which is my way to see the world. Also inspire people back at home and be a good example in terms of fitness and how running and other physical activities make a world of difference in every aspect of life.

Up Close and Personal

To me, sport stands for

dedication and discipline

On a typical training day,

I do: focus on a particular program be it crossfire training or distance running.

I eat: I follow paleo diet. a diet based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans, consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excluding dairy or grain products and processed food.

I wear: lesser the better is my motto regarding clothes 🙂 to be free to do any kind of training. But appropriate for weather. Usually is tights and a tank top or shorts and tank top

I listen to: music that is full of energy

I recover by: post workout supplements by Unived and lots of stretching

I cross-train by: swimming, hiking, cycling, rock climbing

My idea of an effective weight training session is

I believe in powerlifting and high intensity functional training, as it involves a lot of explosive movements it helps me stay stronger towards the end of races and speed.

The moment when I discovered my athletic potential was

I have been an athlete all my life starting from professional tennis player as a teenager, but the realisation of real athleticism was when I started long distance running, it’s a different ball game.

The three biggest lessons I have learnt so far in my athletic career

1. How important recovery is

2. Discipline and lifestyle change

3. Enjoying what we do.

Before a big race, I tell myself

to enjoy my race and be happy.

The toughest race of my life was

full marathon in Japan in 2013 around Mt Fuji, because of the cold weather and inappropriate clothing I had on. My joints froze halfway through and I almost gave up, but managed to finish it in 4 hours

The most memorable moment of my sporting career so far

winning our tennis conference championships in Louisiana for my college and winning kaveri trail marathon in 2013, it was my first one in india

My training sanctuary is

Kaveri Trail in Mysore and Mt Bromo in Indonesia

My dream starting line is

Boston Marathon and Badwater

I nourish my soul with

deep sea diving

Unived helps me by…

providing me Organic Pea Protein for my recovery, Daily Supergreens for strength, cleansing and immunity. Coffee for that jump start and sustained energy through my runs and workouts.

I have chosen to associate with Unived because…

the products make my best self come out when in competition.

My favorite product is…

Daily Supergreens.