In an interview with ETMarkets, Virk said: “It is essential for me to strike a balance between the physical and mental aspects of my well-being, as it contributes to my overall effectiveness in both my personal and professional life” Edited excerpts: Thanks for being part of the segment. How do you keep yourself mentally and physically fit?It is important for me to maintain a balanced approach between both my mental and physical well-being. I begin my day at 6:45 am, which sets a positive tone for the day. Around 7:30 am, I engage in a physical fitness session.
This routine not only keeps me physically fit but also provides a significant boost of energy, which is crucial for my demanding role as an entrepreneur.
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In addition to physical fitness, I recognize the importance of mental strength. To achieve this, I make it a point to dedicate time for meditation and prayer every morning.
This spiritual connection not only centers me but also helps me become more aware and mindful and attentive of what’s happening with and around me.
It is essential for me to strike a balance between the physical and mental aspects of my well-being, as it contributes to my overall effectiveness in both my personal and professional life.
Tell us how Sports played a vital role in your journey of becoming a first-generation Entrepreneur? Being a first-generation entrepreneur requires a ‘never give up’ attitude, and it demands internal motivation each day to tackle new and unforeseen challenges.The entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. It is filled with surprises, teamwork, trust in your partners, team building, planning and follow-ups. But most importantly, it requires a high dose of self-motivation, self-confidence and perseverance. These qualities are reminiscent of what one learns as a good sports person.
In the early years of my life, sports taught me to play with joy, irrespective of winning or losing. It instilled in me the spirit of resilience, discipline, and teamwork.
In sports, you quickly learn the importance of staying in the game and giving it your all, and these principles have carried over into my entrepreneurial journey.
Sports not only honed my physical abilities but also shaped my mental tenacity, which has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
So, in essence, sports have been an essential foundation for my path as a first-generation entrepreneur, reminding me to keep playing, regardless of the ups and downs.
You have been part of the national team in various sports – take us through that journey as well? It has been quite a remarkable journey for me in the realm of sports. I had the privilege of representing my state, Chandigarh, as a Senior National player in Handball, and I was also a part of the National teams in fencing and volleyball.
My journey in sports began during my schooling years and continued into college. During those days, I had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country, including places like Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and various other states.
Meeting fellow athletes from all over India, living on local food, and staying with people from diverse backgrounds taught me the significance of equality and respect for all. It was a profound learning experience, both as an athlete and as an individual.
One particular memory that stands out is from my time as a part of the Fencing National team in Patiala, Punjab. Punjab was known for its strong fencing team, and I had a match against them, which I won.
The appreciation and recognition from teams representing many states made me feel a deep sense of achievement and responsibility simultaneously.
These experiences have had a profound impact on my personal and professional journey, reinforcing the values of determination, dedication, and the importance of celebrating both personal and collective success.
What is your daily 60-minute routine? It is primarily focused on endurance, strengthening, fitness, and flexibility. It is important for me to maintain a well-rounded approach to my physical well-being.
I typically begin with a 10-minute warm-up session, which includes dynamic cardio exercises to get my heart rate up and prepare my body for the workout ahead.
The core of my routine is a 40-minute intensive workout. I dedicate this time to target different body parts, ensuring a balanced approach to strength and fitness. It’s crucial to work on various muscle groups to promote overall physical health.
At the end of the 40-minute workout, I set aside 10 minutes for a cool-down session. Cooling down is essential to help the body recover, reduce the risk of injury, and promote flexibility.
Each day of the week is dedicated to different body parts or fitness goals, allowing for a diverse and effective routine. However, Fridays hold a special place in my routine as it’s when I engage in circuit training, which happens to be my favorite. Circuit training is an excellent way to combine various exercises and maximize the benefits of a workout.
Tell us a little bit about yourself – how you started your journey, education etc? What prompted you to become an entrepreneur? I was born and raised in Chandigarh and completed my college education at Punjab Engineering College. Following that, I pursued an MBA in International Business and Marketing at Amity Business School.
During my academic journey, I had the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through internships. I worked at the Maruti Suzuki Production plant in Gurgaon and also with Sahara Airlines in New Delhi and Sri Lanka.
These experiences allowed me to explore the practical aspects of various industries and ignited my interest in business and technology.
To further my knowledge and skills, I undertook an Executive Management course at Baruch College in New York, USA. Subsequently, I spent over a decade working in the USA, gaining international exposure and honing my expertise in different areas.
After my time in the USA, I relocated to Canada. Eventually, I decided to return to India and embarked on the journey of entrepreneurship by founding Finvasia.
I have always envisioned myself as an entrepreneur, and this aspiration has been rooted in my background as an engineer.
My focus has been on identifying real-life problems, developing technology-based solutions, and contributing to both industries and clients. Additionally, giving back to society has been an integral part of my vision.
My co-founder brother and I collaborated to complement each other’s strengths to create forward-looking products that incorporate artificial intelligence, particularly in the fields of fintech and healthtech.
This entrepreneurial journey has allowed me to combine my passion for technology, business, and innovation to make a meaningful impact on the world.
What role does mental fitness play, especially in leadership roles? Mental fitness plays a paramount role, especially in leadership positions. Being mentally fit is an essential component of living a healthy and productive life.
When you’re mentally fit, you’re better equipped to maintain focus, make sound decisions, and lead effectively.
In leadership, there are several key responsibilities, such as delegating tasks and responsibilities, letting go of control when necessary, creating accountability within the team, placing trust in your team members, and sharing a clear and inspiring vision for the company’s future. These tasks require a strong mental presence, clarity of thought, and emotional balance.
Maintaining mental fitness allows me to be present, agile, and adaptable in my role as a leader. It enables me to handle the challenges and uncertainties that come with running a company.
Mental fitness empowers me to approach each situation with a clear mind, make well-informed decisions, and effectively communicate the company’s goals and vision to the team.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
