Discipline, Distance, and Determination | Biddappa K P | TEDxCMRNPU Youth

Biddappa K P, a senior manager at British Telecom and accomplished marathoner, begins by introducing long-distance running as a misunderstood sport in India that offers significant health and mental benefits. He explains that running is accessible to everyone with minimal equipment and can be done anywhere, while also providing mental clarity and stress relief. Despite low female participation in India (less than 5% compared to equal participation abroad), he encourages broader adoption of the sport.

Sharing his personal journey, Biddappa describes following the typical path expected of his generation - becoming an engineer and working in IT companies like Wipro or Infosys. While professionally successful as a manager, he felt unfulfilled and lacked happiness in his career. This changed when a neighbor introduced him to running, which he embraced alongside his wife. The sport provided the happiness and fulfillment he had been seeking, eventually leading him to become one of India's fastest marathoners.

Drawing on wisdom from runner Eliud Kipchoge and referencing Jay Shetty's advice, he emphasizes the importance of finding your own passion rather than following others' expectations. He stresses that true fulfillment comes from pursuing what makes you both successful and happy. His key principles include discipline (citing Kipchoge's quote that 'disciplined ones are free'), hard work and dedication (training 50-70km per week while working full-time), resilience through failures and rejections, celebrating small successes, and continually setting new goals. Now he's transitioning into coaching others, having obtained US certifications in marathon running as he develops this as a potential second career.