Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Luigi Castelli

Life goes beyond the numbers on the scale and your body is capable of so much more! Yahoo’s weekly #Fitspo series is dedicated to inspiring men and women in Singapore who lead healthy and active lifestyles. Do you have someone to recommend? Hit Cheryl above Instagram o Facebook!

First name: Luigi Castelli (@luigi_runs)

years old: 45

Height: 1.75 m

Weight: 65 kg

Occupation: Sales manager

Food: A unique combination of ginger, beetroot, carrot and orange aligned with a predominantly Mediterranean and plant-based diet, emphasizing plant-derived proteins over meat consumption.

Exercise: I don’t have a particular exercise routine. Instead, they stay active every day by engaging in activities such as tennis, cycling and maintaining an active lifestyle, such as frequent trips to the supermarket with an IKEA bag full of groceries.

Q: When you were younger, were you active in sports?

A: Yes, he was a sports enthusiast. When I was a spry youth, I dabbled in all kinds of athletic escapades. I took the first time in the world of swimming, punched and cut my way through karate classes with the family, and you know, football was practically a religion in my Italian home.

Then there was my wild rollercoaster ride through the realms of inline skating, and I’ve also hopped on a skateboard since childhood. It is safe to say that I was a regular sports champion.

What did you get into as you got older?

While working in China, I was introduced to the world of badminton, which I loved for its unique combination of speed and technique. It amazed me to see how easily the older players could beat the younger ones, with a simple flick of the wrist. I have been happily involved in the game of badminton for a few years even after moving to Singapore.

In recent years, when the pandemic limited social gatherings, I gradually gravitated towards running. It offers greater flexibility in terms of selecting the location, time and, of course, the distance.

When did you start getting more serious about running?

Up until about three years ago, I was just the typical casual jogger. You know, the kind that would run for a few miles just to relax my mind and get some fresh air.

The story continues

But then fate intervened in 2021 when I published an article about a British athlete who – in Singapore – broke the Guinness Book of Records for the longest triathlon. He set the bar at a total of 7,519,670 kilometers divided in terms of the triathlon report (most kilometers are dedicated to cycling, after running and swimming respectively). Again and again, this feat of the athlete comes back to my mind. Without my awareness, the seed of what would become a great personal endeavor was planted.

And there you have it, my epic journey from a short slow runner to becoming a long distance runner has begun.

What made us decide to try the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest triathlon by a male?

I decided to try for the Guinness Book of World Records (GBWR) for the longest triathlon and I started it in the middle of June this year, with the aim of finishing it next year. It is a challenge that requires a strategy, a well-thought-out plan and most importantly, an iron discipline. Picking up a record like this is like trying to turn the impossible into something that is just “I’m possible”.

It’s all about pushing the limits of what your mind tells you and realizing that with a shift in your mind and a bit of determination, even the most epic feats can be turned from “You’re crazy!” to “You did it!”. Quoting Danesh Daryanani in his article about my GBWR journey, “My can” is about “I can” and “we all can”.

I am also raising funds for two charities on this trip.

What were some of the challenges you faced when you started preparing for this attempt?

My initial challenge was to familiarize myself with the three key disciplines of triathlon – cycling, swimming and running. This task felt like trying to master three separate skills simultaneously, similar to learning three different languages ​​at once. Transforming into a well-rounded athlete was no easy feat as it required conquering unfamiliar territory and each section presented its own unique set of challenges and risks.

Running for thousands of kilometers proved to be very demanding on the knees and leg muscles in general, swimming for hundreds of kilometers was as daunting as preparing for an underwater odyssey, especially considering that the conditions of the waters are greatly influenced by tides, wind and underwater. current

To become proficient in cycling, it is essential to understand the basics of a racing bike, including its inherent risks such as being stuck on the pedals and maneuvering through congested Singapore traffic.

The preparation for the challenge spanned more than three years, with the primary objective of achieving a reasonable level of comfort in each discipline, while also managing the daily demands of extended periods of exercise.

When it came to developing endurance for the entire triathlon, he felt he was managing a complex equation that required careful planning and unwavering commitment.

It was a test to push my boundaries and embrace what was unfamiliar, even when my heart and mind screamed “No!”, I challenged myself to face these intimidating sections head on, refusing to be defeated by my discomfort initial.

Little by little, with perseverance and determination, I transformed from a new apprehensive into someone who was somehow comfortable to take on the challenge of triathlon and set the bar at a level.

How did you overcome these challenges?

First, having a plan was crucial. It wasn’t just a random sketch, it was a meticulously detailed roadmap. I had to strategize every step, from my training routines to my nutrition and even recovery. Training was a significant part of the equation. I put in countless hours every day. Discipline has been the unsung hero of my journey. It was about sticking to my training regimen, even when my inner voice tried to negotiate an extra hour of sleep.

In those moments, I had to call upon my determined mind to overcome my procrastinating tendencies. Once my body was conditioned, it was time to wrestle with the mind. It was about convincing myself that the triumph of crossing that finish line was worth all the sweat, pain and dedication. So in essence, overcoming these challenges has been a multifaceted journey. It takes meticulous planning, relentless training, unwavering discipline, continuous self-motivation and a lot of mental strength to put it all together and emerge as a triathlete.

You spent about three years preparing for this. How did you know it was ready?

Three years of preparation, and still the certainty of being completely ready is elusive. You don’t really realize your readiness until you take that first step. It’s about minimizing risks to a manageable level, such as preventing muscle cramps or making sure your bike is in good shape.

You can be reasonably confident that you are ready to start, but reaching the finish line remains uncertain. That’s the thing about such efforts; the shadow of uncertainty always looms. It’s about having faith in your own readiness. Waiting until you feel 100 percent prepared is a never-ending waiting game, so the key is to take the plunge and trust your preparation to carry it through.

When you were younger, did you have any incidents that made you feel insecure about yourself?

I think it’s safe to say that most of us have faced some form of adversity during our youth. What really matters is how we interpret these challenges and use them as opportunities for our personal growth. These experiences act as essential life lessons, molding us into the strong individuals we have become today.

When do you feel the least confident about yourself?

I firmly believe that the focus should be on the efforts made to achieve a goal rather than dwelling in moments of doubt. Confidence is often a fluctuating aspect of their journey, and it is natural to encounter moments of uncertainty.

However, what really matters is the determination and commitment to pursue your goals. It’s not about when we feel least confident, but rather, how we channel our efforts to overcome challenges and work towards our goals with unwavering dedication.

Have you ever struggled with your body?

I have come to accept and embrace my body, recognizing that it can go through changes at different points in time. Instead of struggling with these fluctuations, I learned to appreciate and love who I am in the present moment. It’s about embracing self-acceptance and recognizing that our worth is not defined by our body or weight, but by the content of our character and the love we have for ourselves.

Are you happy with your body now?

It all boils down to self-perception. I firmly believe that when you have a healthy mind, you naturally have a healthy body. I am happy with my body in the present because I have found a harmonious balance between my physical well-being and my mental state. This triathlon challenge played a significant role in fostering this balance between my mind and body.

If you could change anything about yourself, would you?

I have reached a point in life where I have learned to fully embrace and accept myself as I am. It is not about seeking changes or alterations in who I am, but rather about living authentically and allowing others to do the same.

This perspective is founded in the belief that authenticity is the truest form of self-expression and is a gift we offer not only to ourselves, but also to the people we meet on our life’s journey. So, rather than worrying about potential changes, I choose to focus on living as my most genuine self.