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Kailash Jain, an Entrepreneur and Ultra-Marathon Runner, Balancing His Business With Remarkable Fitness Achievements

Ultra Marathon Runner, Cyclist & Owner, Magra Exportsudaipur

There is one gift you can give yourself, and that is your health.
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There is one gift you can give yourself, and that is your health.
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Balancing his roles as an accomplished entrepreneur and a dedicated ultra-marathon runner, Kailash Jain has been managing his marble and granite business successfully and has earned accolades such as the Export Excellence Awards and the prestigious ‘Pride of Udaipur’ title. His fitness journey, inspired by his disciplined 86-year-old father, led him to conquer challenging cycling routes, including a 650-kilometer ride from Manali to Khardung La, and achieve notable marathon feats like the 90 km Ooty ultra-marathon.

An importer and exporter, Kailash Jain is an entrepreneur who trades in marble and granite. He is also a fitness freak and an ultra-marathon runner who pays utmost attention to his health and fitness besides carrying out his responsibilities as an entrepreneur. Jain loves traveling as part of his business and often travels to Italy, Turkey, and China.

He imports Italian marbles and maintains a big warehouse in Sukher under the name ‘Magra Exports.’ Kailash Jain takes pride in sharing that he has been running his business for over 33 years uninterrupted with full discipline and honesty. He feels honesty and discipline are something that each one of us should follow in our daily lives.

Jain’s achievements in the business realm include two export excellence awards which he received from the commerce minister.

He is also active in his social life and has been the President and Vice-President of the Mahavir Sadhna & Swadhyay Samiti, Amba Mata sharing a close connection with religion and spirituality. He practices Jainism and does not consume non-vegetarian food. Kailash Jain was also awarded the ‘Pride of Udaipur’ award by the biggest community of Udaipur, Oswal Jain Samaj. He has also been an ambassador to many running events and is often complimented by people for his fitness even at the age of 56.

He began his fitness journey two decades ago with the first ten years going in aerobics and gyming and later he switched on to better fitness options like cycling, running, swimming, and yoga. His overall goal is to always prioritze his health and stay consistent at it.

Talking about his inspiration and inclination towards health and fitness, Jain says he looks up to his 86-year-old father, who averages 15,000 steps per day even at this age. Jain admires his father's discipline, especially as he continues to go to his office everyday. Rain or shine, his father remains consistent, often grabbing an umbrella to complete his daily steps. Jain aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps and believes everyone should strive to engage in physical activity daily.

Delving into his journey further, Kailash Jain recalls how his gym partner, pro-cyclist Dr. Sharad Iyengar, encouraged him to try cycling instead of just working out at the gym. Jain initially resisted, but Dr. Iyengar’s enthusiasm led him to his first ride, which took them to Pipliya and Ubeshwar on his son's cycle. Jain also feels inspired by Dr. Iyengar who rides to his workplace, and he too followed the same routine for himself. Jain considers Dr. Sharad his godfather and has cycled 650 kilometers from Manali to Khardung La with him over ten days. His other travels include routes from Manali to Shimla and Manali to Dalhousie, covering the Sach Pass—a high-altitude route with no roads, which no other cyclists have traversed.

This experience sparked Jain’s interest in cycling, leading him to form the Udaipur Cycling Club with fellow cyclists under Rider Nitesh. They explored nearby areas, cycling within a 100 km radius of Udaipur, typically on Sundays. Motivated by his co-cyclist Mohit Joshi, Jain soon ventured into marathons, starting with the Delhi Marathon, where he did not perform well. He then tackled long-distance cycling challenges, including journeys from Udaipur to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Mt. Abu.

Transitioning to running, Jain started participating in both half and full marathons, eventually becoming an ultra-marathon runner. Notably, he completed the 90 km Ooty ultra-marathon with an elevation of about 3,000 ft in 11 hours and won a gold medal in his age category at the Khardung La Marathon. He also competed in a 122 km toughest-highest-longest impossible terrain finishing in 19 hours 40 mins with a cut off time of 22 hours. Jain emphasizes that participating in marathons demands health, discipline, proper training, balanced life, good eating habits, and adequate rest. He underscores that marathons require thorough preparation to avoid injuries and ensure successful participation.

Kailash Jain enlightens us that to run a full-marathon, one requires one and a half year of training and to run an ultra-marathon two years of training is essential. “The key is discipline, you must be consistent in whatever you want to do”, says Jain. Regarding his fitness, Kailash Jain shares how his discipline always stopped him from eating in weddings. He says if you are disciplined, you can achieve all your targets in life.

Jain refers to the tongue as ‘laali bai’ and emphasizes that controlling it can help you stay fit by avoiding unhealthy foods. He also stresses the importance of living in a joint family rather than a nuclear one. For Kailash Jain, spending time with his family is the most cherished, and he laments how gadgets have disrupted the quality time people used to spend with their loved ones.

Though Jain’s journey was inspired by his friends, his running community, and the Udaipur Cycling Club, he also credits his success to his wife, Rekha, who took care of his eating patterns and gave him the best possible while also motivating him along the way. His wife is also a fitness enthusiast just like him and practices both yoga and running. Besides his wife, Jain is also thankful to his father and kids who have been his pillars of support. Besides, the Mewari Runners Club has also been his strength which inspires him to push his limits.

Kailash Jain draws motivation from his own statement, "There is one gift you can give yourself, and that is your health." He further says how we as individuals keep giving to society and to our family members, but often forget about our own health which plays a crucial role in our well-being. “If you want to be fit, you have to be disciplined,” says Kailash, lamenting how people often use the excuse of not having time for their health but find time for other leisure activities. He urges people to lead a healthy life free from medicines, depression, and health issues. “A good health can give you anything you want free of cost”, emphasizes Kailash.

Reflecting on his early days, Kailash Jain shares that he was born and brought up in Chennai. He studied at a convent school in Chennai where he also did his bachelors. In 1990, Jain shifted to Udaipur and has spent most of his time in the city. He states that he is a proud Mewari following his passion for running while also carrying out his business responsibly winning accolades for his hard work.

Kailash highlights a quote said by his father, “अगर जीवन में सुखी रहना हो तो कम खाओ, ग़म भगाओ, और नम्र रहो", which means "If you want to live a happy life, eat less, let go of sorrow, and stay humble."

He refers to mobile phones as "killers," believing they have contributed to depression rather than enhancing social life. Jain laments how social media now dictates the world, causing people to forget how to experience real life. He recalls how, years ago, he knew everyone personally and created meaningful moments together. Jain regrets that nowadays, when two people sit together, they rarely make eye contact, choosing instead to remain absorbed in their phones.

Kailash Jain also points out that being constantly glued to office screens has negatively impacted our body postures. He firmly believes that the next generation will depend heavily on physiotherapists, and if we truly want to live a healthy life, we must reduce screen time and invest more in walking and other physical activities. "If you are healthy, your family is healthy," says Jain, emphasizing how we work hard to earn money, only to end up spending it on medicines and doctors, trapped in a never-ending cycle. Instead, he strongly urges people to invest in their health that would also have better returns in the future.

Advising fitness enthusiasts who wish to take up cycling or running, Kailash Jain emphasizes that these activities require minimal investment, except for a good pair of running shoes. He mentions that cycling and running are among the most affordable sports. Jain encourages people to jog instead of just walking and advises young people to choose cycling over motorbikes and to engage in physical activities like yoga. He suggests multitasking, such as using the treadmill while watching TV, instead of staying seated. "Be active, be sporty, think sporty, and make small changes, like walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift." Jain believes that these small steps will lead to significant improvements in your life.

Kailash Jain advises people to be mindful of their calorie intake, eat healthily, and avoid relying heavily on junk food. He emphasizes that the way you treat your body is how it will treat you in return. “Your body is like a temple; it’s important to respect it and care for it. By making it lighter, fitter, and stronger, your body will reward you with all the wealth you desire in life.”

For fitness enthusiasts, Kailash Jain recommends joining the Mewari Runners Club or Udaipur Cycling Club, both of which have a minimal membership fee. He believes that joining such clubs offers opportunities to network, learn, and participate in group activities. Jain highlights that cycling allows you to explore lesser-known areas, noting with pride that he and other cyclists have discovered 58 lakes around Udaipur, including the hidden gem, the Rayta Hills. He claims that their social media posts have helped raise awareness about these locations, attracting tourism to the area.

Kailash Jain’s life is a testament to the power of discipline and dedication in both business and personal health. As an esteemed entrepreneur in the marble and granite industry and a celebrated ultra-marathon runner, Jain exemplifies how consistent effort and a passion for fitness can lead to extraordinary achievements. His journey from aerobics to ultra-marathons, along with his commitment to exploring new cycling routes and participating in challenging races, underscores his belief in the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Through his advice on health, fitness, and personal discipline, Kailash Jain encourages everyone to prioritize their well-being and embrace a balanced, active life. His story serves as a powerful reminder that with perseverance and a focus on health, one can achieve remarkable success and lead a fulfilling life.

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Get Inspired by the Story of An Entrepreneur and Ultra-Marathon Runner Kailash Jain

Meet Kailash Jain, an entrepreneur and ultra-marathon runner who has conquered challenging cycling routes and achieved notable marathon feats, including winning a gold medal in his age category at the Khardung La Marathon.