A Life Beyond the Desk!
Early Life & Roots
Some people chase comfort, some chase chaos, but Ani, short for Aniruddha Shete, chases adventure. Born and raised in Mumbai, Ani is a 33-year-old transportation business owner with a fire inside him that refuses to settle. While his days revolve around hard work, his heart beats for something far more thrilling — the world of adventure . Mumbai may be a concrete jungle, but for Ani, it became the starting point of a lifelong desire to wander beyond the city lights.
Adventure as a Lifestyle, Not a Hobby
For Ani, adventure isn’t a weekend escape. It’s a way of living and challenging every comfort zone he's ever known. Whether it’s trekking, racing, skydiving, or road-tripping, he treats every journey like a new chapter of self-discovery. The more he travelled, the more he realized how beautiful the world truly is, and that realization turned into an addiction.
Discovering the Adventurer Within
When Weekend Plans Turned Into a Calling
Ani didn’t wake up and suddenly decide to be an adventurer . It happened slowly. Each trip, trail, and road taught him something city life never could. One day he simply knew — this wasn’t a hobby anymore. It was who he was.
What Drives The Spirit of Competition
When asked what pushes him — thrill, peace, adrenaline — his answer is simple: Competition.
Not with others, but with himself.
Seeing someone attempt something makes him think, “I can do better than this.”
That mindset shaped him into the adventurer he is today.
Passion for Adventure Sports
- Trekking & Hiking – Walking into the unknown, one trail at a time.
- Road Trips & Off-Roading – A long road, a powerful machine, and a reason — he’s gone.
- Dirt Biking & Cycling – Freedom , speed, and rhythm fuel him.
- Kayaking, Scuba Diving & Skydiving – He embraces every element.
- Rock Climbing, Paragliding & Mountaineering – He lives for the challenge.
The Adventurer’s Machine – Mud Crusher
Every adventurer needs a companion — Ani’s is his racing beast: a Maruti Gypsy. Not just any Gypsy, but his pride, partner, and greatest project.
Why the Name “Mud Crusher”? Because that’s exactly what she does — she crushes mud trails, off-road stages, and every obstacle that comes her way.
The Massive Preparations Before Every Race
For Ani, preparation isn’t optional — it’s sacred.
A huge to-do list.
A detailed checklist.
Final checks before every event.
Every bolt, wire, and accessory must be perfect.
“The Biggest Challenges on the Journey”.
Building an RFC Vehicle from Scratch
Competing in RFC isn’t easy. Building a machine for it? Even harder.
Ani trusted the Samrala Guys in Ludhiana who sourced the car, materials, and built it piece by piece — roll cages, rear steering setups, accessories, everything.
The Struggle of Sourcing Winches & Accessories
Winches are expensive, rare, and necessary — but he pushed through.
The Four-Month Build: A Detailed Look
For four months, the Gypsy wasn’t just built — it was crafted. Accessories, lockers, batteries, roll cages — every element chosen with purpose.
Milestones, Failures & Unforgettable Moments
The Dream of Winning RFC
Ani isn’t someone who settles. He hasn’t won RFC yet, but he knows the day isn’t far. His eyes are set on it; his heart is working for it.
The Unforgettable Moment – Toppling the Gypsy in RFC 2025
One moment he’ll never forget — toppling his Gypsy during RFC 2025. A mix of shock, thrill, fear, and excitement — emotions only true adventurers understand.
Every fall teaches balance. Every failure builds consistency.
Advice for Future Adventurers
Living Life Today, Not Tomorrow
His one-line advice: “Tomorrow never comes, live your life today.”
Consistency creates champions — not luck, not talent.
Chase. Conquer. Rise. – with Zatags
Ani’s journey isn’t just about racing or adventure — it’s about pushing limits, rising after every fall, and living with passion.
He built his Gypsy from scratch, faced failures, toppled it during RFC, yet kept going — because consistency creates champions.
“Tomorrow never comes. Live your life today.”
Fuel your fire. Trust your journey. Live your adventure — with Zatags.
#BuiltDifferently
