Praveen Kumar Sapkal transitioned to sports in his 40s after facing health issues. After becoming Madhya Pradesh's first Ironman, he went on to train 14 athletes from Bhopal to become Ironman finishers. He has founded ‘Super Athlete’, a fitness initiative targeting middle-aged individuals. Under his guidance, athletes, including those in their 60s and 70s, have completed marathons and triathlons.

Praveen Kumar Sapkal is a professional Sports Trainer and an Ironman-Certified Coach from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, specializing in training athletes for Ironman events and triathlons. A Civil Engineer by education, Praveen Kumar also works in the field of land surveying. He entered the world of sports in his 40s.

Sapkal has founded an initiative called 'Super Athlete,' which currently includes 50-100 athletes, with over 40 active participants. He primarily focuses on individuals aged 30-35, as he believes that the government has provided sufficient facilities for younger age groups.

Praveen Kumar Sapkal feels that the middle-age group is most in need of fitness due to the rising health issues at this stage, such as diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure, which are often linked to lifestyle choices and a career-driven focus. He emphasizes the harmful effects of sedentary jobs and how people often neglect their health. With no specific initiatives from the government for this age group, Praveen has made it his mission to target this demographic group for improving their physical fitness.

Praveen Kumar’s initiative, Super Athlete, leverages virtual training powered by modern technology. He stresses using Apple and Garmin sports watches, which provide detailed metrics like Heart Rate Variability (HRV) among other parameters. Through the coaching platform TrainingPeaks, he uploads weekly workout plans that sync directly to the athletes' watches. By analyzing their performance data, he tailors their next workouts accordingly. This approach offers athletes under his training the flexibility to train at their convenience while receiving personalized guidance.

Praveen Sapkal feels happy to share that many of his athletes aged 60 and 70 years have completed full marathons, finishing 42.2 kms of running. He also mentions an individual weighing 120 kgs, who shed his weight and participated in long running events.

In 2015, he participated in the ‘Run Bhopal Run’ half marathon held annually in December. Running 11 km in this event earned him his first medal in sports. Sapkal also recollects riding 200 km from Bhopal to Indore with his group of friends. In 2019, he completed a running event of 180 km in five days from Indore to Bhopal to promote organ donation.

During COVID, he also took the initiative along with his group of cyclists to supply groceries and medicine at doorsteps especially for the elderly. This movement brought 200-250 cyclists together for a good cause. To spread social awareness, Praveen also completed an indoor ride of 48 hours completing 600 km of cycling during the lockdown period.

In 2017, Praveen Sapkal came to know about the Ironman challenge in Phuket, Thailand, scheduled for November 26. Despite not knowing how to swim at the time, he began swimming lessons in April and became proficient by September. He then completed the Ironman 70.3 miles Triathlon 26 November, 2017, which involved 1.9 kms of swimming, 90 kms of cycling, and 21.1 kms running in 7 hours and 32 minutes, well within the 8 hours 30 minutes cutoff, earning him the title Ironman, Madhya Pradesh’s first.

During COVID, he participated in various  events, including a 1,500 km cycling challenge and a 25000m race showcasing his endurance. His friends, impressed by his achievements, sought his expertise, which inspired him to mentor a few individuals. Encouraged by positive feedback, he pursued professional training during the pandemic, earning certifications such as Ironman Trainer and Ironman-Certified Coach, turning his passion into a profession to help others achieve their fitness goals.

Praveen Sapkal highlights that the Ironman challenge, initially not held in India, was first organized in Goa and is now an annual event in October-November. During one such event, 14 athletes from his team participated, showcasing their dedication and rigorous preparation. Under his guidance, Bhopal now boasts 15 Ironman finishers, reflecting his impactful mentorship. Praveen takes pride in contributing to Bhopal’s emergence as an Ironman hub, marking the city, his hometown, as a growing centre for triathlon excellence and adding another feather to his cap.

Talking about his profession as a civil engineer, Sapkal shares that he runs a company called Ace Land Survey, a firm specializing in advanced technical civil engineering surveys. Their services include land surveys, building layouts, and water supply chains, conducted with state-of-the-art GPS satellite and laser technology for precise measurements. With their pinpoint accuracy, errors are minimized, making them a reliable choice for major builders and government projects.

Reflecting on his early days, Praveen Kumar Sapkal recalls how his job would take up most of his time, causing his health and fitness to take a backseat. It was only when he developed asthma and high blood pressure that he realized the need to take action and improve his health. This marked the beginning of his fitness journey, and today, Praveen is dedicated to helping others improve their lives through fitness. He encourages people to take up running, cycling, or swimming. Sapkal believes that medals are merely by-products; the real focus should be on improving our physical health and fitness.

Praveen's inspiration for venturing into sports stems from the financial struggles he faced during his early life. His father worked as a clerk, and the family often grappled with financial difficulties, sometimes unable to meet even basic needs. Praveen recalls being unable to afford a bicycle as a child, which fueled his determination to achieve financial success.

Motivated by these challenges, Praveen Sapkal focused on his studies and eventually started his career. Through relentless hard work, he built a successful business, achieved financial stability, and established a comfortable life, including a spacious home, cars, and a loving family with two children. However, the pursuit of success took a toll on his health. Work-related stress, unhealthy eating habits, and irregular sleep patterns contributed to a decline in his overall well-being. Over time, Praveen developed severe health conditions, including asthma, high blood pressure, and cervical spondylosis.

The pain became so debilitating that he was confined to bed for three months. Despite having all the material comforts, he was restricted to a 6-by-6-foot bed, unable to enjoy the life he had worked so hard to build. This turning point made Praveen reevaluate his priorities, leading him to emphasize health and fitness.

One day, Praveen Sapkal came across Milind Soman, who had successfully completed the Ironman triathlon despite being 10 years older than him. The Ironman involves 3.8 km swimming, 42.2 km running, and 180 km cycling—a feat of extraordinary endurance. Inspired and motivated by this, Praveen resolved to transform his lifestyle, become a healthier version of himself, and take on the Ironman challenge. Within three to four months, his health began to improve. He started with walking, gradually progressed to gym workouts, and eventually took up cycling and running.

Born and raised in Bhopal, Praveen Sapkal pursued a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Government Polytechnic College, Khandwa, and a bachelor’s degree from Samrat Ashok Technological Institute, Vidisha. After gaining 2-3 years of professional experience, he ventured into entrepreneurship.

Passionate about sports, Sapkal earned certifications including a Certified Marathon Trainer course from an institute in Mumbai, an Ironman U-certification, and credentials as a certified sports nutritionist, demonstrating his commitment to excelling in both engineering and athletics.

On a personal front, Praveen’s family includes his mother, a younger brother currently posted in Chennai, and two children—a son and a daughter. His daughter, currently in 12th grade, recently completed the Ironman 70.3 in the Philippines. At just 18, she became the youngest Indian to achieve this prestigious title, exemplifying the family’s commitment to excellence and passion for sports.

When asked about his role models, Praveen Kumar Sapkal names Milind Soman, a supermodel who championed fitness. He admires Soman for being a national-level swimmer in his youth and completing the Ironman challenge at 50, an achievement that inspired many and popularized the event in India. Praveen feels Milind’s accomplishment significantly influenced society, including himself. He also mentions a politician from Goa whose participation in Ironman brought further attention to the sport, enhancing its visibility and appeal nationwide.

Praveen Sapkal strongly advocates physical fitness combined with an active mind. On that note, he draws inspiration from the quote:

ऐ उम्र..! कुछ कहा मैंने,

पर शायद तूने सुना नहीं..

तू छीन सकती है बचपन मेरा,

पर बचपना नहीं..!!

Through these lines, Sapkal conveys the message that despite being over 50, he has retained a youthful enthusiasm for life. He continues to enjoy cycling, running, and participating in sports, emphasizing the importance of keeping the childlike spirit alive within us. According to him, nurturing this inner vitality not only keeps us fit but also helps maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

In his message to aspiring athletes, Praveen Sapkal emphasizes that with proper planning and training, age is no barrier to success. He warns against jumping into sports without training, as it can lead to injuries or mishaps. He stresses the importance of using technology to track daily routines, body status, and nutrient intake. By collecting and analyzing this data, athletes can stay on the right track, making informed decisions about their training and nutrition for optimal performance. Sapkal also recommends hiring a coach and seeking guidance from seniors, and learning from their experiences. He says even 1% improvement has a compounding effect in years to come.

In the end, Praveen Kumar Sapkal informs about his group ‘Super Athlete’ available on both Facebook and Instagram. He can be contacted on 9300890505 for any athletic guidance. He also mentions how happy and fresh his clients feel after completing every marathon or sports event. Praveen suggests taking guidance from a qualified and experienced coach.

Praveen Sapkal’s journey teaches us that it’s never too late to prioritize health and fitness, no matter your age. His story emphasizes the importance of proper training, planning, and using technology to track progress. With persistence, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve greatness, no matter the obstacles they face.

The key takeaway is that with dedication and guidance, personal transformation is possible at any stage in life.