Runversation: A powerhouse of fitness

There is no one “right” path to success. In fact, there may never be. It means that possibilities are infinite, and some people like it that way. It means that you can find the path that suits you; suits your personality, character, principles and your interest. Many have the notion that the women can make a choice between household and career, and they by their own free will choose the former, more so in our country. There lies fundamental fallacy in this argument. And when the time comes to make a choice, home above career becomes the default choice. This is anything but a free choice! A career is an indulgence. Among the fitness fanatics, some women are pushing their bodies to the limit and dedicating their careers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind, said Norman Vincent Peal.

Swetha Devaraj, a vascular radiologist and crossfit trainer, was always into sports and fitness from the time she was a kid. Growing up in the US while she was in school she took up tennis and played at state, national and international level. She also pursued long-distance running simultaneously. Being a fitness freak she also ventured into crossfit. She says, “Becoming passionate about health and fitness put the rest of my life into perspective. My love for exercising and eating healthy-coupled with the results I saw in the mirror and my ability to help others get in shape-made me feel like a different new person. Taking control of my health and fitness helped me realise how much potential I had to change things in my life and others too. I was happy. I found meaning and purpose. So why would I do all the boring stuff I was “supposed” to do when I could do something that actually mattered?

We all want to “look good” but the gratification from feeling strong and being able to pull your own body weight up on to something or run up the stairs without feeling like you’re going to die lasts so much longer. Swetha is a powerhouse of fitness. She does explosive strength and weight training, calisthenics and functional training as well as long-distance running. She says, “My passion for all things healthy comes as a result of years of pushing myself to the limit (which I still continue). I love what I do because I’m truly helping people make a positive difference in their lives. Fitness coaching does not just focus on nutrition and exercise but all aspects of a person’s life, therefore you involved in the process of seeing whole lives of people getting transformed. I like seeing that ah-ha moment from a client.” “My goal is to inspire others to take better care of their bodies inside and out, maintain a positive outlook,” adds Swetha. Women come in all shapes and sizes and all levels of ability. It doesn’t matter if you’re rubbish or an expert. The point is you’re a woman and you’re doing something. This Girl Can. You too can.