The Super Role Model

 

 

If there was an epitome in the Indian modeling world of the perfect male body, the title doubtless should belong to Milind Soman. His chiseled and Greek godlike body has inspired countless aspiring models and the women have swooned over it each time it was showcased in an ad or movie. TSI caught up with the man who even today at 42 looks like Adonis to his little toe, and took a peek into the secrets behind his phenomenal physique.

You are seen as the original Indian supermodel… What were the efforts that went in to sculpt that perfectly chiseled body of yours?

I started competitive swimming at the age of ten and represented the state of Maharashtra for 13 years in the sport. This period was the beginning of my understanding of fitness. My motivation was to be fit and to be the best at what I do. It still is. I would swim five hours everyday training for the most difficult stroke to swim fast, breast stroke, and my body naturally turned out the way it did. According to me, competitive sport, with the exception of weight lifting, gives you the best physique. Athletes and swimmers have the most impressive musculature, suppleness and balance of proportion. All three are necessary for a truly beautiful body.

Who in your opinion are the best built men and women in India?

A lot of the athletes and swimmers have beautiful bodies as do a lot of farmers in Rajasthan and Kerala. Among the famous lot, a lot of women are gorgeous. The men unfortunately just concentrate on biceps, leaving the legs largely ignored, leading to skinny legs. I always prefer beauty that is achieved through sport and not in the gym. It is very rare for a gym-made body to have the leanness, grace and balance of an athlete’s physique. What’s your daily fitness regimen like?

I don’t know what to tell you about a daily fitness regimen because I don’t have one. I’ll just say that I pay attention to what I eat, and I don’t eat if I’m not hungry. I have dinner before six o’clock, drink a lot of water and almost avoid the elevator, unless I have to climb more than six floors. I also run 10-12 kms four times a week.

What about your diet? What do you love eating and what’s a big no-no?

There is nothing that I stop myself from eating. I just regulate the time. For example, no meat for dinner. I love chocolates which I eat everyday for sure… I just make sure it’s Belgian, Swiss or French!

You recently finished the Delhi Half Marathon. How was the whole experience like?

When I completed the half marathon in Mumbai three years ago, I felt like a king. It’s an incredible high to feel the mind, body and spirit work in sync. It makes you believe that nothing is impossible.Every time I run 21 kms, it keeps me happy for three months. If I run the full marathon of 42 km I will probably be in heaven for a year!

You’re probably one of the few guys in the industry to have great pair of legs. Is it because of swimming?

My physical fitness as well as my mental fitness are the result of exercise and listening to my body, nothing else. My advice to people is that if you can find the time to eat, you can find the time to exercise.

What’s with your current look? What will Milind Soman be like as an old man?

The beard and long hair is a reflection of the way I feel right now. I think I will be a crazy old man; in fact, most of my friends think I am a crazy old man already! But, as long as I can help it, I will be fit, of this, I have no doubt.



Given a choice, where would you like to live?

It has to be in the mountains with lots of trees and a river close by...