Through adversity, there is redemption! What would life be without challenges? How would you know your limits? It is because of challenges we learn our limits, how to push past them and reach our goals. Getting demotivated is natural but with a sound mind and a strong spirit, nothing is impossible! For everyone who was a part of the GOQii Trail Challenge 2019, this was one of the most heroic tales which unfolded before us! Shankar Sabadi didn’t just complete the challenge but served as a living, breathing example of what you do when faced with adversity.
How Was the Experience Compared to 2018?
Shankar Sabadi has been an active GOQii Player since 2017. Since undergoing a transformation and making a positive lifestyle change, he has always been looking for challenges to test his limits. This was the second time that Shankar Sabadi had participated in the GOQii Trail Challenge. Although he said it was painful, and you’re about to find out why, he said it was a refreshing experience when compared to last year.
As the trail challenge was a fairly fresh concept introduced in 2018, the participants, Shankar included, didn’t know what to expect other than the fact that they had to walk 50km. He didn’t expect the mix of hiking, trekking, inclines and declines. Despite not knowing what awaited him, he completed the Trail in 2018 within 12 hours.
This year, he trained himself well for the challenge ahead by climbing stairs every day, going for mountain walks and taking normal ones as well.
Shankar Sabadi at GOQii Trail Challenge 2019
The trail began and all our participants went on route. After a group of 8 people, including Shankar Sabadi and a pacer left the 1st checkpoint, they were following the ribbons used to mark the trail. However, they missed one and took a wrong route. The path was rocky, covered with dense bushes, which made Mr. Sabadi realize that they might have taken a different route. He suggested they should return to the last ribbon.
Few of them weren’t in favour of the decision as they had walked for at least half an hour. After much discussion, the pacer confirmed that they were on the wrong route and they all decided to retrace their steps. As Shankar Sabadi turned around, he tripped on some pebbles. He quickly realized that he won’t be able to avoid the fall and instead of taking the fall on his back and hurting it, he decided to fall on his hands.
He immediately realized that he had fractured his hand…
Never Back Down! Give Up On Giving Up!
He did experience pain and his fellow walkers helped him to his feet. They noticed his arm was swollen. He just kept his hand in his pocket and asked everyone to move ahead. He didn’t want anyone to be delayed on his account.
At the next checkpoint, he asked one of the support staff to spray some pain reliever on his arm. They said a doctor will be available only at the village and offered to take him there. Shankar Sabadi was not ready to give up. He was determined to complete the trail. He said that even though his hand is fractured and hurts, his legs are okay.
Seeing his unshakeable determination, the staff made a makeshift splint out of a tree branch. One of the crepe bandages was used to tie the arm and another as a sling to rest the arm. With this arrangement, he continued on the trail. The walk was painful and the injury slowed him down but didn’t by any means stop him. He had to tread very carefully as he couldn’t use his arm to balance. All the pressure was on his left foot.
He is extremely thankful to all the fellow walkers who carried his bag, offered him water, supplements and energizers along the way (you know who you are and you guys are awesome!) Thanks to this, he only had to focus on walking.
After a lot of trials and tribulations, fighting through the pain and overcoming all of it, Shankar Sabadi completed the trail in 14 hours, just 2 hours behind his last year’s finishing time. Once the challenge was over and we reached Mumbai, he left for home and visited his doctor, who diagnosed that his arm is not broken but curved due to the impact of the fall. His arm was plastered for 3 weeks. You’ll be glad to know that he is recuperating at home and taking physiotherapy sessions to increase blood circulation to that arm and strengthen it.
We often hear of heroes and it is true, not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes teach us to push forward no matter what! Shankar Sabadi exemplifies what it means to #BeTheForce! He says that since he joined GOQii, he has given up on giving up.
Where else could you have heard such a valiant tale? Where else could you feel this energy? If you’re still having doubts, let this story be your motivation to participate in the next GOQii Trail Challenge and complete it.
We’ll be sharing many more heroic stories of participants who made #LifeWorthWalking through Healthy Reads as well as GOQii Play. Do you have an awesome GTC story to share? Write to us here.
In one app, you have all the tools you need to make 2020 as healthy as possible but don’t forget one of the key ingredients which is YOU! It is your willpower, determination and motivation which will make all the difference. 2020 is about you and what you do to Level Up your lifestyle and make a difference.
The holiday season is here! There’s a reason why most people deem this as the best part of the year. Apart from sweets, parties, family get-togethers et al, there’s one more thing to look forward to – GIFTS! There’s not a single soul that doesn’t like or appreciate presents but when you’re on the end that has to do the giving, it can get a little challenging, especially during annual ‘Secret Santa’ sessions. Well, let us be your little helpers as our team of experts have curated a list of gifts that will help you be the Healthy Secret Santa you wish to be!
Nothing says sweet like honey and if it’s organic, it’s even better! We’re sure your friend or family member will definitely find good use for this. In fact, getting some infused honey like vanilla or natural eucalyptus, Ajwain or Tulsi honey will not only add to their list of ingredients but it will also benefit their health.
Snack time is everybody’s favorite time! Who wouldn’t want to munch on some tasty, healthy and nutritious biscuits and cookies prepared with natural ingredients. If you wish nothing but good health for your loved ones, this is the way to go!
Self-care is one of the ultimate signs of self-love and those who love themselves, radiate positivity and confidence! When you want what’s best for your loved ones, help them love themselves with a little bit of self-care.
Want your loved ones to focus on their health? Get them an activity tracker. GOQii offers a range of trackers which allow you to monitor your step count, calories burned, distance, heart rate and blood pressure. For someone who is into sports, you can go for the RunGPS. We’ve even launched a GOQii Vital ECG tracker that lets you monitor your ECG and share the report with your doctor. While not a medical grade device, the Vital ECG already helped save 2 lives within 2 weeks of its launch. Quite a handy tool, we must say.
Can’t decide on one thing to gift someone? Make a hamper! This can include all of the things above or your choice of dry fruits, lotions, superfoods or teas! The world is your oyster. You can include an end number of products and tie it all up for a pleasant surprise.
