Temperatures of minus 40 degrees in Antarctica, hundreds of kilometers of snow all around and cold winds. Amidst all this is a man pulling a 200 kg sled. This is not a movie story, but an example of one person's courage and passion to take on a challenge.
This example has been perpetuated by 40-year-old Indo-American ex-marine officer Akshay Ajay Nanavati. Akshay has embarked on such an epic journey these days, the thought of which gives goosebumps. Akshay has started a 110-day journey called 'The Great Crossing' in Antarctica on November 8, which he will complete alone.
In this coast-to-coast ski expedition, Akshay will cover a distance of 1,700 miles (2735.8 kilometers) carrying 400 pounds (181 kilograms). If they succeed, they will become the first person to cross the coldest, driest, windiest and most desolate continent on Earth alone, unaided.
If Akshay Nanavati succeeds in this journey, he will become the first person to complete the coldest, driest, windiest and most desolate continent single-handedly.
After four years of hard training, he was ready for the journey
Entrepreneur, speaker and writer by profession Akshay's venture is the result of four years of rigorous training. In which he has prepared himself mentally for this challenge along with physical fitness.
This journey will not be easy by any means. According to Akshay's polar meteorologist Lars Ebbeson, this expedition is a very difficult and unique physical work, which no one has crossed single-handed so far. This journey involves both mental and physical pressure, which is the biggest challenge.
Took training while locked in a room alone for 10 days
Apart from the extreme weather of Antarctica, Akshay has to face another challenge. During this journey he will be completely alone for about four months. In fact, except for one corner of Antarctica where there are penguins, the rest is devoid of life.
Training for this expedition was not easy for him. During snow training, Nanavati lost two finger joints due to cold while climbing Axel Heiberg Glacier in Antarctica. Besides, he had to train hard to remain calm in extreme situations. He remained completely alone in a small dark room for 10 days.
For Akshay, this journey has become his life's mission. They see this as an invaluable opportunity. He says that this journey is a part of my life and the result of facing every challenge that has come in my life till date.
In this coast-to-coast ski trip, Akshay will cover a distance of 1,700 miles (2735.8 kilometers) carrying 400 pounds (181 kilograms).
Trained in the desert to walk on ice
Akshay and his wife Melissa live in Arizona. He spent many months in cold places like Alaska and countries like Iceland, Norway, Greenland and Antarctica, but most of his training took place in the desert. He practiced pulling sleds around Scottsdale Park in the summer by pulling several tires. Akshay participated in rock climbing, skydiving and combat with the Marines, which gave him the opportunity to push his boundaries.
Akshay posted this video before starting the journey
High fat food will help in this challenge
Akshay adopted a high fat food diet as it provides more calories than carbohydrates. In Norway he trained with Ebesen to improve his ski technique. Ebsen said the right technology helps save energy.
Nanavati plans to consume 5,800 calories per day to burn 8,000 to 10,000 calories. Their food is especially high in vitamins and micronutrients. His wife Melissa says he will lose about 23 kilograms (50 lb).
Nanavati admits that polar expeditions require strength and endurance training to pull a 400-pound sled for 10 to 12 hours. Nanavati divides each day into 66-minute skiing shifts. They take a short break after each shift. This enables them to achieve smaller targets easily.
Akshay and his wife Melissa live in Arizona. He helped Akshay every step of the way in preparing for this journey.
Let's know Akshay's story to reach this unique journey…
Joined the Marines and arrived in Iraq at age 18
Born in Mumbai and brought up in Bengaluru, Singapore and America, Nanavati's journey from the battlefield to the ends of the earth is a testament to her fearlessness. After joining the Marines at the age of 18, his life took a big turn.
In Iraq, they were put in the dangerous role of detecting explosives ahead of a convoy of vehicles. This challenging experience strengthened him both physically and mentally, so that he became an intrepid explorer.
Was depressed, even thought of committing suicide
Once during his stay in Iraq some of the vehicles in Akshay's convoy hit an active IED bomb planted in the ground. However, the bomb under his car did not explode. Many of his friends lost their lives in this accident. After this incident he returned to America and went into depression. He started drinking alcohol. He also started having suicidal thoughts.
Retired from the Marines and wrote a book called 'Fearvana'
With the help of his family, he gradually regained normalcy and decided to continue the perilous journey as a legacy of life. After retirement, Nanavati wrote a book titled 'Fearwana', in which he explained his formula for transforming all his negative emotions into health, wealth and happiness. Akshay said- “I was afraid of everything, so I decided to face all my fears,”
Akshay lives in this tent in Antarctica. Only one corner of this continent has penguins, the rest has no life.
What Akshay's parents said…
We reached Hobli area of Kundana in Devanahalli taluka, 50 km from Bengaluru, to understand what the parents think about their son's difficult challenge. Here we met his father Ajay Vipin Nanavati. He was previously Managing Director of 3M in India and Israel and Chairman of Syndicate Bank. He is currently the chairman of Elicon Castleloy.
Father said – Akshay 'Citizen of the World'
Recalling his son's journey, Ajay says that my job was such that I had to travel constantly. I was not at home when Akshay was born. My wife had to take care of him alone. We lived in different countries of the world, this was a big advantage for Akshay. He got a chance to live in a multicultural environment.
Akshay considers himself a 'Citizen of the World' due to living in different parts. We often compete over who has more visas in their passport and both my sons win over me. He has visited more than 70 countries so far.
Akshay studied generalism to change society
Ajay says that my father and I were from an engineering background and Akshay wanted to bring about change in society by interacting with as many people as possible. Journalism is the most powerful medium for these matters, so he chose it and wrote his book 'Fearwana'.
Ajay says Akshay is closer to his mother than me. He is more spiritual, emotional and down to earth than me. He takes advice from me on work and investment.
Ajay and Anjali Nanavati get emotional while talking about their son.
Akshay's training eased parents' fears
On this dangerous challenge, Ajay says that initially we were scared, but Akshay has trained hard for four years for this. So we hope they will complete it successfully. Recalling his training days in Bengaluru, Ajay says he used to pull two big tires for 12 hours. I have seen his training and I think he will definitely make it. What will happen will happen. However, I believe the journey is more important than the destination. Akshay who emerges after this entire journey will be a game changer.
Focus should be on strengths rather than weaknesses
Ajay further explains that we should appreciate our children's strengths and weaknesses. Many times we ignore their strengths and try to overcome their weaknesses by force. During his stay in Singapore we worked on Akshay's strengths, taught him swimming, music, Hindi and worked to strengthen him.
Father said – Akshay wants to change people's lives
Ajay said that I feel very proud when people say that my son has changed people's lives. After coming to India, he shared his journey in many talk shows. People come to him and offer to be his mentor. Akshay's aim is that he wants to make a difference in people's lives.
Ajay says that whenever people talk about Akshay, they talk about his physical fitness, but I believe his mental health has enabled him to overcome huge challenges. My proudest moment was when he received a scholarship to Syracuse University to pursue a Masters in Journalism. Apart from this, it was a proud moment for our family when he wrote the book 'Fearvana'.
Put the son on a dangerous swing to remove the fear
Recalling her son's journey, Akshay's mother Anjali Ajay Nanavati says that when he was just 3 days old, he turned around on his own. Which proves its strength. At just 3 years old, we introduced him to rides that even adults are afraid to sit on.
As a mother I thought that if she faces challenges in life from now on, she will overcome any difficulty. He always stood up for what was right during his school days. When he went into depression and started drinking alcohol in the US, we stood by him and he recovered from it within a few days.
Anjali is showing Akshay's photo on the phone. He said that we are proud of whatever Akshay is doing.
Akshay made a plan to go to Antarctica to challenge himself
Anjali reveals that Akshay almost died in an IED blast in Iraq. After this he realized that his life was meant to do something bigger. He raised funds for African countries. Helping children suffering from heart problems, he worked with the team of 'Doctors Without Borders'. He wrote many articles to encourage people. Then, to challenge himself, this plan of Antarctica came to his mind. Pushing his boundaries, he is still moving in Antarctica with a weight of 200 kg.
Thus the parents stood with the son in despair
Anjali said that initially everything that happened to Akshay was a shock to us, but when he decided to beat the challenges and move forward, he never looked back. We are proud of what he is doing now. We (Ajay and I) always stood by Akshay as a support system during his tough times.
During a period of depression he began studying neuroscience. We were with them even then. I went on many mountain treks with him to get his life back on track. We spent a lot of quality time together. It was during this time that Akshay realized that this was not the life he had chosen for himself. He cannot waste his life like this.
What message would you like to give to families who are struggling with their children's dreams?
On this Anjali says that all parents should give their children an environment and guidance in which they can thrive and survive in any environment. Instead of pressuring them to reach your goals, create an environment where children can reach their goals.
No profession is wrong, you just have to choose it. In today's environment parents don't even let their children fall, how can they be safe until they fall? My advice to parents is to spend quality time with their children. Involve them in adventure sports and give them the freedom to choose their career.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
