MOUNTAINS ARE MIGHTY TEACHERS, SAYS GUMMI RAMREDDY, ARK GROUP MD

Everest base camp trek highlights role of fitness, discipline in leadership,  says Gummi Ram Reddy


Samuel Joshua

For most business leaders, endurance is tested in boardrooms. For 63-year-old real estate veteran Gummi Ram Reddy, it was recently tested in the Himalayas, where he completed the Everest Base Camp trek and climbed Kalapathar at nearly 5,600 metres above sea level.

“Young professionals should not neglect physical fitness if they want to perform well in business. If an organisation has to stay fit, its leaders must prioritise their own health first,” said Gummi Ram Reddy, managing director, ARK Group and CREDAI national president (elect).

He said physical fitness strengthens mental resilience, which is critical while dealing with business challenges such as market slowdowns, rising costs, financial pressure and uncertainty. “Stress is inevitable, especially in real estate, where project cycles are long and expectations are high. Fitness helps leaders handle this better,” he said.

Ram Reddy’s journey into endurance began in 2019, when he started running without any prior background. What began as 10-kilometre runs gradually progressed to half marathons, a full marathon and a structured routine including yoga, pranayama and strength training.

Over the years, he also began undertaking annual solo trips to the Himalayas, spending two weeks away from work and communication. These retreats became a way to disconnect and regain clarity. “There is no pollution, no distractions. It gives you peace of mind and a different perspective,” he said.

This year’s expedition was more demanding. The Everest Base Camp trek involved rugged terrain, low oxygen levels and temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius. Over 11 days, he covered nearly 140 kilometres, including trekking of Kalapathar, Nagarjun peak, Everest view point and a return journey completed in just three days.

The toughest phase came during the climb to Kalapathar, a viewpoint known for sunrise views of Mount Everest. Despite exhaustion, poor sleep and repeated vomiting early in the climb, he chose to continue.

“I had to stop a few times to recover, but I did not want to turn back,” he said. He eventually reached the summit, marking a significant personal milestone.

“Holding the ARK flag at Base Camp was a happy moment,” he said, describing the achievement as both personal and symbolic.

As he prepares to take on a larger leadership role at CREDAI, representing over 13,000 developers across more than 230 city chapters, Ram Reddy said the experience reinforced the importance of discipline, consistency and mental strength.
He believes younger professionals should prioritise physical and mental well-being alongside career ambitions, noting that challenges often help individuals understand their potential better.

Looking ahead, he is considering higher-altitude expeditions in the 6,000 to 7,000 metre range, with Mount Everest remaining a long-term goal.

 THE EXPEDITION

* Everest Base Camp trek completed.

• Kalapathar climb at 5,600 metres.

• Covered 140 km in 11 days.

• Return stretch in 3 days.

• Temperatures below -20°C.

• Began fitness journey in 2019.