Milind Soman reveals how he overcame smoking and drinking addictions

Milind Soman discussed quitting smoking and drinking at a Delhi health summit. His journey highlighted how swimming discipline and daily activity shaped his approach to fitness.Milind Soman and his family at Health Wealth Summit New Delhi,Oct 30, 2026 14:36 ISTMilind Soman may be known for his fitness and discipline today, but his journey hasn't always been about clean living. The actor and fitness model has had his share of unhealthy habits, including a phase when he smoked heavily and drank a lot. Speaking at the India Today Health Wealth Summit in Delhi on October 30, Milind opened up about his battle with addiction, revealing how he eventually managed to give up smoking and drinking.For someone who spent much of his early life in the pool, the contrast is quite striking. Milind said competitive swimming was his biggest priority from the age of nine to 23. He trained extensively, swimming around 65 km every week, and went on to become a national champion in his event. He also represented India in the sport.But life took an unexpected turn when he was offered a modelling assignment. Milind recalled that he didn't even know modelling was a profession when the opportunity came his way. The money was good, so he accepted. What followed was an entirely different world, one that introduced him to experiences he hadn't encountered during his years as a competitive swimmer.Milind admitted that he got heavily into smoking during this phase. Quitting wasn't easy, either. "You get addicted. I would have stopped immediately, but it was an addiction," he said, revealing that he eventually gave up smoking 25 years ago. Drinking was another habit he struggled with. "I used to drink a lot. It is an addiction, but I was able to stop," he said. Recalling how his mother, Usha Soman, dealt with his drinking, Milind shared that she would sometimes refuse to let him enter the house when he returned home drunk.#Exclusive "I used to smoke, I stopped smoking 25 years ago": Milind Soman (@milindrunning). #MilindSoman #Fitness #ITVideo #IndiaTodayHealthWealthSummit | @Sonal_MK https://t.co/VAZxd2nNYz— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) October 30, 2026Looking back, he doesn't see those years only as a difficult chapter. Milind believes the experiences taught him something about himself and were an important part of his journey. "For me, I needed to go through this experience. It was good, it taught me about myself, and it was important," he said. The conversation at the summit also featured his wife, Ankita Konwar, and mother, Usha, who joined him to discuss fitness, food habits, ageing and the importance of staying active. The family, often referred to as India's fittest family, stressed that fitness doesn't have to involve expensive gym memberships, supplements or punishing workout routines.Milind revealed that he doesn't spend more than 10 minutes exercising each day and doesn't go to the gym or rely on supplements. He believes consistency matters far more than the intensity of a workout. While an Olympic athlete might need a specialised fitness routine, most people can begin with something as simple as walking, running or playing a sport. According to him, good genes might help, but they aren't enough on their own. Staying active and building habits that can be followed every day matter much more.From competitive swimming to modelling and eventually finding his way out of addiction, Milind's journey has been shaped by discipline, but also by the lessons he picked up along the way.- Ends