Taking 10,000 steps a day will make you fit, says startup Stepathlon
Periodically shocking stories of untimely deaths of young people due to heart attacks, stress or some other lifestyle disease have made headlines. And if it’s not these adverse reports, then movie stars and their (in)/famous size zero reports have made us squirm uncomfortably. However these incidents and such celebrities can also be credited for the increased awareness of health and fitness in our country today. The Indian Wellness Industry as estimated by FICCI is worth $9.8 billion, but pales when compared to the massive $2 trillion global space. We have seen fitness solutions bloom on the back this potential but most have been in the form of gyms or yoga or something similar. Now we have an entrepreneur re-introducing us to an age old method of staying fit, under his venture Stepathlon.
Ravi Krishnan and Shane Bilsborough founded Stepathlon last year -- a race around the virtual world, where participants are encouraged to walk atleast 10,000 steps a day. Currently a B2B format, Ravi & Shane claim to have already worked with 143 corporates such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Godrej Group, MakeMyTrip, HDFC Bank, HUL, United Breweries, Sony and Park Hotels across 132 cities. 26% of corporates who participated in the event last year were from the financial services – a space which has a high level of desk jobs. Stepathlon is a fun, team-based way for employees to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps each day for hundred days. The number 10,000 says Ravi, is the minimum number of steps recommended by health bodies around the world, which result in positive health benefits and lower stress levels. And the 100 days figure is useful because in 100 days old habits can be broken and new ones formed and embraced, says Ravi.
The beginning
Ravi grew up in Australia, and he and Shane have been childhood friends. So when Ravi decided to turn entrepreneur he got into discussions with Shane and their common interest in fitness gave rise to the concept of Stepathlon. Today alongwith the two co-founders, there are 12 more members in the team located across their Mumbai, Delhi & Bangalore offices.
Talking about Stepathlon, Ravi says, “India has historically focused on illness not wellness. There is still a need to address health in a holistic way, and Stepathlon is very appealing because the idea is universal. Everybody likes walking and the health benefits it offers makes it very appealing.” The concept of Stepathlon originated in Australia and today besides India, the country in Down Under is fast adopting the idea. Ravi handles the India business, while Shane takes care of Australia.
Ravi is a trained lawyer, who had practiced corporate law before he left it to be part of the founding team that set up IMG’s operations in India. In his last 17 years with IMG, he assumed different roles for the entity – the last one as -- MD South Asia and Senior VP, IMG India. He is credited with creation of properties such as the Sahara Cup, The Aircel Chennai Open, (India’s only ATP event) Lakme India Fashion Week, Royal Challenge Indian Open Golf Tournament, Avantha Masters and Philips National Football League for IMG.
Shane on the other hand has already penned down three books in the nutrition and exercise space. And is also the co-founder of the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) – a global workplace health and wellness program.
Convincing corporate India
Stepathlon has managed to gain the impressive statistic of 143 corporates within a year of starting up, due to the good relations Ravi had with all the companies because of his earlier job. He says he always spoke to the MDs or CEOs of a company, because they are better poised to take decisions for the entire organization. So once they receive a go ahead, the Stepathlon program is implemented across all branches of the corporate. “Stepathlon has a community aspect to it. It is a ‘movement’ event and not a ‘diet’ event and when you are doing something in a group, research shows you are better motivated to do well,” explains Ravi.
Every participant is given a pedometer – which helps count the number of steps they take in a day and if Ravi is to be believed most people equipped with the gadget, don’t rest easy till they reach that magic figure of 10,000. Stepathletes(people who participate in Stepathlon) are regularly provided information on health and nutrition to help them opt for healthier diet choices. Ravi says companies have been facing high levels of absenteeism due to sickness arising from a sedentary lifestyle. He says there is also a growing syndrome of what he calls ‘presenteeism’ – which means employees are physically present in office but productivity is low as they are feeling under-energised or over- stressed and regularly take breaks – either for cigarettes or coffee and are unable to give their 100% to their jobs.
Stepathlon also did a survey to track the benefits brought about by the initiative and they claim to have helped reduce 48% absenteeism and presenteeism. Other benefits that the survey brought out were -- 61% Stepathletes saw higher energy levels, 17% of Stepathletes who smoked prior to Stepathlon quit smoking and 45% of Stepathletes experienced lower levels of stress. 58% Stepatheles reported improved quality of sleep, 50% of Stepathletes increased their frequency of exercise, 77% of Stepathletes lost weight (average of 4.03 kilograms) and 90% Stepathletes were more responsible about their health and well-being.
Miles to go before they sleep
What started as a B2B initiative will now also include people from outside the corporate. “This year we are encouraging family and friends of corporate employees to participate in the event,” says Ravi. He has set a target of engaging 60,000 employees this year, three times the number they reached last year – 21,000. He also has plans to take the concept to other countries in the APAC region, US as well as enter European countries.
There are also plans to organize events around the Stepathlon concept to extend it beyond the realm of corporates. “From a 100-day program, we want to create occasions where people can be engaged 365 days of the year,” says Ravi ambitiously.
We asked him how life has changed as an entrepreneur and he says not much is different. “I do sit back and let things happen, it is not necessary to micromanage. Because different people have different ways of doing a job and you have to let them be. Ultimately its about accepting your decision, learning and moving on. There is no such thing as a smooth ride, always expect things to go wrong and be ready for it,” advises Ravi.