About Sumedha

I am Sumedha Mahajan and I have miles to run before I sleep. From the quaint bylanes of Amritsar to the hustle bustle of Mumbai, I have come a long way and have a longer way to go.

I was born asthmatic, to a family of academic professionals in Amritsar. The youngest of two daughters, I grew up knowing I could never be like the others. Even though my parents never treated me any differently, it was the extended family and society that kept reminding me that I was a "defective piece". I wanted to be a tennis player and was very good at it. But my health and circumstances snuffed out those dreams. I studied management and struggled with my asthma for many years until I found release and relief in running. My journey from Amritsar to Mumbai, via Bangalore and Delhi, has been captured in my book, Miles to Run Before I Sleep.

I am an endurance runner, and was only woman in the record setting Greenathon, covering 1500 kms from Delhi to Mumbai. It was a life changing experience - even though I had completed many runs in different parts of the world. On Indian highways, a woman in shorts, often stumbling, dealing with bruises and other personal hygiene issues, was an unseen and unheard of phenomena. It bolstered my resolve to stick to my faith, and to keep running. Not only for myself but for all women out there who have always been told that they are not good enough, strong enough or fit enough. 

I run my own business consulting agency along these lines and because of my book, I have been interacting with women across India and I realised the biggest problem - we don't have proper sportswear. Most of us are forced to wear men's sportswear due to lack of options. I shared their concerns with reputed sportswear brands but it was like talking to the wall.  I was told - “If you are so concerned about what women athletes and fitness enthusiasts wear in India, why don’t you make some yourself?” And that’s exactly what I decided to do. I decided to do something for hundreds of women out there who are not even on the radar of these brands.