Like most of his high-achieving peers, HDFC Ltd’s Keki Mistry knows the importance of being prudent with numbers. But it was a visit to the doctor’s office that encouraged the CEO to get cautious about the digits on the weighing scale.
At an event in Mumbai, Mistry spoke to ETPanache about his weight-loss journey, which started around five years ago.
“I was 30 kg heavier at one time,” Mistry said. “My doctors informed me at the time that if I didn’t do something about it [my weight], I would need a knee replacement surgery in six months. I was scared of the surgery. So, I went into an elaborate process of losing weight.”
Keki Mistry, a decade ago His ally of choice: the exercise cycle. “I used to cycle for almost two hours a day [at that time]. Over a couple of years, I lost almost 32 kg,” he said.
Revealing that he had slipped up over the past year, Mistry said he tried to get in at least 30-40 minutes of cycling each day. “It has become a lot more erratic now. Like, when I am not in Mumbai, I don’t [cycle],” he said.
Notwithstanding the occasional breaks from his fitness regimen, Mistry believes that one trait has helped him achieve success: perseverance. “One of the things I do is I never give up. It’s ingrained in me. Things don’t always work out the way you want them to. But you have to persevere. If you keep at it, you will succeed in the end,” he said.
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From Neerja Birla To Parth Jindal, Top Bosses & Their Fitness Goals
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Narendra Modi may have needed India skipper Virat Kohli to set him a fitness challenge, but these business heads are setting their own health goals.
Narendra Modi may have needed India skipper Virat Kohli to set him a fitness challenge, but these business heads are setting their own health goals.
Rashesh Shah, Chairman, Edelweiss Group
You’re never too old to do something for the first time and Rashesh Shah, chairman, Edelweiss Group, is testament to that having learnt to swim when he was 49. He exercises 5-6 times a week, with swimming being his favourite activity. Shah also credits exercise for making him become more conscious about his diet and sleeping pattern, saying, “A healthy body makes way for a healthy mind.”
(Image: Beyond the Boardroom/Jatin Kampani, Jaideep Chowdhury )
Rashesh Shah, Chairman, Edelweiss Group
You’re never too old to do something for the first time and Rashesh Shah, chairman, Edelweiss Group, is testament to that having learnt to swim when he was 49..
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Parth Jindal, MD, JSW Cement
Parth Jindal, scion of the JSW Group, is passionate about sports and enjoys table tennis and football. But his number one passion is the same as his dad’s — squash. The father-son duo would play together regularly until the junior Jindal upped his game. He says light-heartedly, “He’d beat me till I was about 17. Then I beat him and he quit playing regularly.”
(Image: Beyond the Boardroom/Jatin Kampani, Jaideep Chowdhury)
Parth Jindal, MD, JSW Cement
Parth Jindal, scion of the JSW Group, is passionate about sports and enjoys table tennis and football. But his number one passion is the same as his dad’s — squash. The ..
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Neerja Birla, Founder, mPower
Neerja Birla, founder of mPower, hasn’t been shy about talking about the mental health struggles she has been through. One thing that helps her stay mentally and physically fit is her love for exercise. The mother of three makes time for a two-hour workout session every morning and mixes it up with boot camp, cycling or the gym. “If I don’t work out, my kids immediately know I’m not well,” she says with a laugh.
(Image: Beyond the Boardroom/Jatin Kampani, Jaideep Chowdhury)
Neerja Birla, Founder, mPower
Neerja Birla, founder of mPower, hasn’t been shy about talking about the mental health struggles she has been through. One thing that helps her stay mentally and physic..
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Prashant Ruia, Director, Essar Global
Prashant Ruia, director, Essar Global, is a man of many passions and looks at the land and sea as ways to keep fit. Ruia loves the spiritual side of yoga, the thrill of diving, the adrenaline of skiing and, of course, cricket. And thankfully, his love of sports balances out his other big love: South Indian food.
(Image: Beyond the Boardroom/Jatin Kampani, Jaideep Chowdhury)
Prashant Ruia, Director, Essar Global
Prashant Ruia, director, Essar Global, is a man of many passions and looks at the land and sea as ways to keep fit. Ruia loves the spiritual side of yoga, the t..
SC agrees to hear HDFC CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan's appeal seeking quashing of FIR by Lilavati Trust2025-07-03T14:20:19Z
