The doctor who runs for tiny hearts: How this doctor turned fitness into a mission to save newborn lives

“Everyone around me was running not just for fitness, but to raise funds.”

In a profession where every second can make a difference, staying physically and mentally fit is not optional, it’s essential. Running is more than just a routine for Dr. Vikas Satwik, senior paediatrician and neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Hebbal, Bangalore; it is a discipline that enables him to deliver critical care to newborns when it matters most.Dr. Satwik began running in 2013 during his time in the UK, inspired by colleagues who participated in charity marathons. “Everyone around me was running not just for fitness, but to raise funds. That idea stayed with me,” he recalls. What started as a simple fitness activity soon became a consistent part of his lifestyle, with weekly 10K runs now forming the core of his routine.He also participated in the TCS run for the first time this year in Bengaluru. For him, motivation goes beyond the finish line. “I run every weekend anyway. So I thought, why not run for a cause?” he says.His decision to support the Neonatal Foundation of India (NFI) is deeply personal. “I have seen babies where NFI has supported us, and the difference it makes to families is huge. It changes outcomes, and it changes lives,” he shares. For Dr. Satwik, every kilometer becomes meaningful when he runs for a cause.Working in neonatal intensive care is both physically and emotionally demanding. The role requires long hours, sharp decision-making, and the ability to respond instantly to emergencies. “You need to be alert all the time. You can get a call at any moment, and you have to respond immediately. If I’m not fit, I can’t do this job,” he explains. Even during runs, the responsibility never pauses. “There have been times I’ve taken calls mid-run about a sick baby and guided the team; that’s just the nature of what we do.”His fitness philosophy is rooted in balance. “A lot of people focus only on the gym or only on running. I try to do both,” he says. His routine combines interval runs for stamina, long runs for endurance, and strength training to maintain muscle mass. “If you only run long distances, you tend to lose muscle, and muscle is the currency in old age; you have to maintain both.”This is why he avoids full marathons, instead focusing on 10K runs and gradually working towards a half-marathon. “My goal is sustainable fitness, not extremes,” he adds. Despite the demands of his profession, Dr. Satwik remains committed to his routine. For him, fitness is not just about physical health but also mental clarity. “If I take care of my health, I can think better and serve my patients better,” he says.