HOW I KEEP HEALTHY: The oncologist who treks
From Everest Base Camp to the yoga mat, Dr Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil shares how discipline, balance, and fitness shape his approach to health
Intro : From Everest Base Camp to the yoga mat, Dr Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil shares how discipline, balance, and fitness shape his approach to health
Byline: Swati Sharma
Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil believes the human body has a remarkable ability to heal when supported through movement, balanced nutrition, and mental discipline.
After more than two decades in oncology, Dr Ghadyalpatil says one of his biggest wellness anchors is yoga.
“A calm mind is the foundation of a healthy body,” he says, adding that yoga helps him manage the emotional intensity and stress that comes with cancer care.
Fitness also plays a major role in his routine. Along with weight training and functional workouts, the oncologist is passionate about trekking and endurance travel. He has completed demanding journeys including Everest Base Camp and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. “At high altitudes, your body tells you the truth,” he says. “Every workout, every staircase, every small effort compounds over time.”
On diet, Dr Ghadyalpatil follows what he calls the “80/20 rule,” focusing largely on home-cooked meals, whole foods, and protein, while allowing occasional indulgences.
However, he strongly emphasises weight management, particularly in cancer prevention. “Excess body fat creates inflammatory signals that may increase cancer risk,” he explains. “But the encouraging part is that the body responds surprisingly fast to positive lifestyle changes.”
Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil believes the human body has a remarkable ability to heal when supported through movement, balanced nutrition, and mental discipline.
After more than two decades in oncology, Dr Ghadyalpatil says one of his biggest wellness anchors is yoga.
“A calm mind is the foundation of a healthy body,” he says, adding that yoga helps him manage the emotional intensity and stress that comes with cancer care.
Fitness also plays a major role in his routine. Along with weight training and functional workouts, the oncologist is passionate about trekking and endurance travel. He has completed demanding journeys including Everest Base Camp and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. “At high altitudes, your body tells you the truth,” he says. “Every workout, every staircase, every small effort compounds over time.”
On diet, Dr Ghadyalpatil follows what he calls the “80/20 rule,” focusing largely on home-cooked meals, whole foods, and protein, while allowing occasional indulgences.
However, he strongly emphasises weight management, particularly in cancer prevention. “Excess body fat creates inflammatory signals that may increase cancer risk,” he explains. “But the encouraging part is that the body responds surprisingly fast to positive lifestyle changes.”
