When he's not at the operation table, this Bengaluru doctor coaches a runners' group

BENGALURU: Dr Jeevak Shetty does not watch television. In fact, he doesn't even have a cable connection. Leisure is always outdoors. The 36-year-old and his wife take turns to step out when not attending to their preschooler son.Shetty juggles between being a paediatric surgeon at MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital and coaching a runners' group 'Runners 360'.

Shetty trains runners using principles of body weight, flexibility, core strength and yoga. Once a week, he also conducts high-intensity Tabata classes for the group.

“Once I started working out regularly and participating in marathons, I decided to spread my knowledge to both aspirants and seasoned runners. Many runners neglect stretches and certain exercises. That can be detrimental for the body. I have personally suffered injuries and worked on healing them. Running is not enough to keep fit. I teach my students holistic fitness,“ says Shetty, who has 150 students under his wings.

Fitness, for Shetty, is as important as brushing his teeth every morning. In fact, he attributes his success as a doctor to his passion for working out. "As a doctor, I have to be on my feet a lot.

Running keeps me physically fit and mentally sharp."

Shetty, who has been training particularly hard for next week's marathon in Ladakh, never feels a burnout. While being a paediatric surgeon is his career, he treats coaching as a hobby . "One should always dedicate some time to a hobby . And if you can make a ca reer out of it, that's great!" What does the doctor do in case of a medical emergency at the hos pital while he is giving fitness les sons? "Fortunately, coaching always starts early in the morning.So, I am easily able to juggle the two careers. However, if there is an emergency at the hospital, my partner at the runners group takes over," says Shetty.

Shetty admits that it would be impossible for him to juggle two successful careers all by himself. His wife Arpitha has apparently opted to work from home in order to take care of their son.