Shivam Kumar, Energy Markets Consultant – Power at ICF, has always been a name associated with drive, discipline, and determination. But behind the accolades and professional milestones, Shivam Kumar’s recent reflection reveals a story that resonates with so many professionals today a story of realizing what truly matters.
In a candid LinkedIn post, Shivam Kumar shared a deeply personal revelation. Seven years into his professional journey, 17 kilograms heavier, and an hour slower on the race track, he confronted a truth that many avoid: career achievements mean little if they come at the cost of one’s physical and mental well-being. It wasn’t just about gaining weight or losing speed it was about a slow erosion of health, once a cornerstone of his identity.
Shivam Kumar’s honesty hits home especially during appraisal season, a time when corporate culture urges individuals to obsess over “the number.” For years, he did the same chasing metrics and performance indicators, pushing boundaries, and reaching new heights in his role. But as his professional graph soared, another graph the one tracking his well-being plummeted. The realization struck hard during a half marathon on March 23rd, where his body gave him a wake-up call he couldn’t ignore.
This is not an isolated incident. Shivam Kumar draws attention to a statistic that reflects a larger crisis: 84% of Indian professionals report compromised physical health due to work-related stress, sedentary routines, and unhealthy diets. Citing research from Prof. Kalyankar Mahadev of the University of Hyderabad, he points out how ambition often sidelines health, a price far too many are paying in silence.
But this isn’t just a cautionary tale it’s a declaration of change.
Shivam Kumar once inspired more than 20 people to run a 10k and at least 10 to attempt a half marathon. His friends remember the passionate runner who trained at 3 AM and completed the Mumbai Marathon in just over five hours. That same person now looks at others’ race photos with a sense of loss, unable to complete a 5k without stopping. The contrast between his 2:02 finish in 2018 and a 3:01 today paints a vivid picture of how priorities shifted over the years.
Still, there is power in his words: “We’ve got to start somewhere. And that time is NOW because it’s better late than NEVER.”
These are not just motivational lines; they are the pillars of a personal revolution. Shivam Kumar is choosing to treat his health with the same strategic precision and discipline that propelled his professional ascent. The 17 kilos aren’t just excess weight they symbolize every skipped workout, every ignored sign from the body, and every moment health took a back seat.
Shivam Kumar is not chasing a six-pack or a finish line; he is chasing balance. And that goal, as he rightly emphasizes, deserves the same respect and planning as any business objective. His comeback is not just physical; it’s emotional, mental, and deeply human.
In one of the most poignant moments of his post, Shivam Kumar quotes a stirring poem by Kunwar Narayan, drawing parallels between inner strength and the endurance required to scale life’s metaphorical mountains. The poem speaks to a profound truth: that victory lies not merely in the achievements but in the resilience to never give up, even when the odds are bleakest.
The choice of poetry is telling. Shivam Kumar is not just sharing a story; he’s offering a philosophy. In a world where LinkedIn is often filled with promotions and performance reviews, this post stands out for its vulnerability and depth. It invites readers to pause and reflect on what they’re trading for their titles and raises a powerful question: Are we investing in success or sacrificing ourselves to chase it?
More importantly, Shivam Kumar’s message is not about regret. It’s about recalibration. It’s a lesson in humility and hope that even when we veer off the path, we can always turn around. That every finish line lost can become a new starting line. That strength, once lost, can be regained not just in muscle or minutes, but in mindset.
As Shivam Kumar embarks on this new chapter, he brings the same intensity that made him a leader in energy markets into his personal life. He’s proof that transformation isn’t a one-time act but a series of choices some tough, some liberating, all worth it.
For every professional feeling burnt out, for every go-getter who’s lost touch with their body and soul, Shivam Kumar’s journey is a timely reminder: the real win is not just what you conquer in the boardroom, but what you reclaim within yourself.
And in this reclaiming, Shivam Kumar isn’t just running again he’s leading a different kind of race. One where the prize is balance, clarity, and the power to say, “This time, I choose me.”
