A mechanical engineer, Anuj also delved in a variety of sports disciplines before finding his calling in long-distance running. Overcoming cultural and professional challenges, he excelled in his career at Infosys and embraced a life of learning in Sweden.

Anuj is a native of Chandigarh and completed his education there itself.

He began his professional journey with Infosys in Mysore where he spent nine years as a mechanical engineer. For the past six years, he has been thriving in Sweden, continuing his career in the same field.

Anuj has seen success in both his professional career and in his passion for distance running. Over the past eight years, he has dedicated himself to improving in running, achieving a commendable level of performance, including completing a half marathon in  under 1 hour 30 minutes. Recently, he embarked on professional training with a group in Sweden, culminating in his marathon debut a couple of years ago—an experience that enriched his journey. With four months of intensified training under his belt, he eagerly anticipates another marathon challenge in September, driven by his commitment to continual improvement.

Anuj attributes his choice of an engineering career to his familial background, growing up surrounded by the influence of engineers. Motivated by his home environment, he pursued Mechanical Engineering, and was fortunate to secure admission to a reputable college. Today, he passionately continues his career in this field.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Anuj reminisces about his lifelong passion for sports. From professional table tennis, swimming, cricket, to competitive snooker, he explored various sports disciplines. Presently, he finds solace and challenge in long-distance running.

Talking about his sports journey, Anuj says though he actively participated in many sports, yet he was in constant search for the perfect discipline of his liking. Despite engaging in various sports for several years, he struggled to find the one that would ignite enduring passion in him. After dedicating eight years to professional snooker, he transitioned to long-distance running, a pursuit he has maintained for the past eight years.

In his personal life, Anuj draws inspiration from his father and brother, whose support and dedication have been constant sources of motivation to him. He deeply admires his father's unwavering support for the family and acknowledges his brother's diligent efforts in building his career. Moreover, in his professional endeavours, he finds motivation from various sources, including books, podcasts, and the camaraderie of his training group.

The quote "Find your comfort zone and then leave it" resonates deeply with Anuj, serving as a guiding principle in his life. He firmly believes that staying within one's comfort zone restricts personal growth and potential. By stepping out of his comfort zone, he embraces challenges and discovers the extent of his capabilities, a philosophy that continuously inspires and motivates him.

Reflecting on his hardships, Anuj acknowledges that the initial ease of securing a job at Infosys contrasted with the challenges he encountered when relocating from the North to the South of India. Adapting to new food, language, and surroundings proved to be a significant struggle initially. However, this period of adjustment served as a valuable learning experience, teaching him to thrive outside his comfort zone. Inspired by this growth, he later ventured to Europe, where he faced a fresh set of cultural differences. Despite the distance from his native place, he has embraced these challenges for over fifteen years, driven by his resilience and adaptability.

He offers sage advice to aspiring engineers and athletes alike, emphasising the importance of passion and self-belief in their pursuits. He urges newcomers to embrace learning opportunities from those around them, fostering personal growth without self-imposed limitations. In the realm of sports, he advocates starting your journey at a manageable pace, cautioning against comparisons with others. He highlights the value of patience, advising individuals to evaluate progress over time, confident that consistent effort will yield results within a year.

Anuj imparts a valuable lesson to the younger generation, emphasising the significance of honouring and cherishing their parents. He underscores the pivotal role parents play in shaping their children's lives and achievements, urging the youth to demonstrate profound respect and gratitude towards them. He believes that it is through the unwavering support and sacrifices of parents that individuals can aspire to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential.