Join us for an inspiring conversation with Neeraj Chopra, India’s first athletics Gold medalist, and Karthik Reddy, co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Ventures. In this podcast, Neeraj shares his journey from a small village in Haryana to standing on the Olympic podium, while reflecting on the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs along the way. Get an inside view on what it takes to be a champion.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

3:21 - Neeraj Chopra’s youth and childhood

9:17 - Neeraj Chopra’s love for farming

13:01 - First big win

16:00 - The pressure to represent the country

19:15 - How did Neeraj feel after winning gold at the Olympics

21:15 - Neeraj’s Silver at the Paris Olympics

27:55 - Difference between individual and team sports

35:08 - Who is the supporting cast to Neeraj?

41:00 - What is Neeraj Chopra’s routine?

43:44 - How does Neeraj Chopra deal with disappointment and pressure?

48:26 - Why did Neeraj Chopra choose to represent STAGE?

52:50 - State of sports infrastructure in India

57:07 - Rapid fire questions

This episode is packed with valuable insights into the life of a world-class athlete, touching on mental resilience, discipline, and the importance of a strong support system.

A special thank you to IDFC First Bank for being a partner for this podcast and STAGE (Blume Fund IV) for helping us connect with Neeraj Chopra and for generously providing their office space to record this episode.