Fit to Lead | Tim Hortons’ Ravi Makwana: ‘Running is like meditation to me where my mind, body and focus connect’

Ravi Makwana, chief marketing officer, Tim Hortons India, will be running in the TATA Mumbai Marathon on Sunday.

Note to readers: Fit to Lead is a series of interviews with business leaders on their approach to fitness, leadership and navigating the new normal.

For Ravi Makwana, chief marketing officer, Tim Hortons India, training for his first marathon way back in 2018 is what kicked off his love of lacing up. He liked it so much that he kept it up. Since then Makwana has been a regular at every marathon in the city and is eagerly looking forward to his 21 km half marathon run at the TATA Mumbai Marathon this Sunday.

Starting the day with a run not just gives this IIM graduate an endorphin high and a full-body workout, it also helps him clear his mind and prepare for the challenges of the day. “The TATA Mumbai marathon is like a pilgrimage for runners. It’s an event we wait for the entire year. I am super excited. My goal is to break my own personal best of 2 hour and 6 minutes. I am hoping to finish faster this time,” says Makwana.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Ravi Makwana, CMO, Tim Hortons India.

When do you work out - morning or evening?
I workout in the morning between 7 - 8 am.

Favourite fitness activity…

I love running. I do a 10 km run twice a week. I also do strength training on other days.

Your toughest…

Burpees! Gets me every time beyond 10 to 12 reps.

What is your new normal like?

Well the new normal is pretty much the normal now given that the worst of COVID is behind us. So my usual day is like: Wake up, feed the cats, workout, get ready for work, quality time with family in evening, in bed by 10 pm!

Has your fitness routine, in any way, helped you navigate the uncertainties of the current times?

Strength training is like preparing yourself for any challenges the day could put in front of you. Running is like meditation to me where my mind, body and focus connect. Whenever I feel anxious or stressed, I start my day with a long run and that gives me a lot more clarity to deal with what’s in front of me.

One change you would encourage your teammates to make to deal with the challenges of current times

Invest time in your fitness and well-being. Pick up a sport, join a gym or simply take up brisk walking.

Acing the Mumbai Marathon 2019.

Any leadership lessons in your fitness journey?

In fitness you need to keep your head down and just work. Work on the next rep, next set or simply run the next mile. And the key is to do it consistently. That’s what helps great leader too. They put their head down and work consistently till results shows themselves.

What impact does your image of a ‘fit leader’ have on your team?

It inspires them, I believe. My team often asks me how I stay so fit. And the answer is always - discipline. If you are disciplined to show up on your work out / run everyday, no matter the time you spend on it, the mental model of your lifestyle changes. If you do it consistently, fitness becomes a way of life rather than a chore. On the days when I am extremely busy, I make it a point to squeeze in a 10 minutes run or do a 15 minutes of cardio, if not more.

Has being fit helped you become a better leader?

200 per cent! Being physically fit makes me more energetic and drives me to finish what I start. Much like the marathon run! Being fit not only energises me but also my team members. After all, energy and enthusiasm are always infectious.

What's your leadership style?

Alone you can reach far but together you can reach further! That’s my mantra. I always like to take the team along to finish what we started.

How does your fitness routine help you strike work-life balance?

I do home workouts over zoom when I am not running outdoors. This format helps me be at home while also staying on the fitness course. Even when I am travelling for work, I make it a point to hit the gym or to go out for a run.

What challenges and goals have you set for yourself this year?

To run a full marathon of 42 km against the half marathon that I have been running every year.