Pushpa Prakash was 65 when she first laced up trekking shoes — not for a grand expedition, but a short trail walk with her daughter. That quiet stroll ignited something powerful: a sense of freedom she hadn’t realized she missed.
Now 68, Pushpa has completed 49 treks, including seven in the Himalayas. From skydiving in New Zealand and bungee jumping in South Africa to walking glaciers and swinging over African gorges, she’s embraced adventure with open arms. What’s striking is that her daring journey didn’t begin until her 50s.
“When I reflect on life, I realise I never gave up — even when discouraged,” she says. This tenacity matured into a hunger for growth in her later years. Most people slow down at this stage — Pushpa chose acceleration.
She credits her daughter, Suma, for encouraging her first steps into trekking. Their shared walks became the foundation of deeper bonding and bolder treks — including Everest Base Camp at 18,000 feet.
Pushpa attributes her stamina not to gym workouts but to discipline. Her lifestyle includes mudra meditation during Brahma Muhurta, simple home-cooked meals, daily chores, and a digital-free bedtime by 10:30pm. She avoids processed food entirely and starts each day feeding birds.
Despite no formal fitness training, she impresses fellow trekkers with her resilience and calm. In 2024, Pushpa was named ‘Trekker of the Year’ by Vyshya Limelight Awards for Women (VLAW), proving age is no barrier when passion and purpose align.
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