Life Comes Full Circle: Ashish Reflects on his Journey as a Fitness Trainer

We have seen fitness find a place in our lives only after we are past a certain age. During our childhood days, fitness isn’t even one of the thoughts, let alone a primary concern. For our coach Ashish, however, things have been different.

Ashish is a sports and injury expert who has recently joined SocialBoat’s community of coaches. In his conversation with SocialBoat, he talks about his life journey so far, his main goals for the future, and how the fitness industry has drastically changed over the last two decades.

Fitness Since Eight

Unlike many of us, Ashish’s fitness journey began in his childhood itself. Ashish used to be an overweight child until he started running. At the age of 8 itself, he had started going to the gym and has continued ever since. He would take money from his father's pocket to pay the gym membership fee. As Ashish continued working, by the age of 13-14, he knew that this is the field in which he would like to build a career even though it was difficult to convince his middle-class family about the stability of such a job.

He learned more and more from YouTube videos and with the experience of working out regularly for about a decade, Ashish had his first client at his uncle’s gym, at the age of 17. That is also when he started his first certification as a fitness trainer.

On completing his certification, Ashish started coaching multiple international clients through online sessions via Skype. Soon, he got a job in Oman and moved there. He worked as a trainer for a while and soon got promoted to a senior position where he had to overlook the three other trainers working under him.  

On returning back to India, Ashish kept on adding more and more certifications to his expertise including one that specialises in the training of disabled persons. Currently, he is working with football coaches, and getting a certification in the area along with his regular training.

“All these certifications feel the most worth it when you find solutions to your clients’ problems because of the knowledge that these certifications have provided.”

Comparing the present industry to 25 years ago

Ashish reflects on how the fitness industry has drastically changed since he had started out, twenty-five years ago.

“Nowadays, there are evolving fitness technologies, so many specialisations, and certifications. There was nothing like this back then.”

He says that as a fitness trainer, along with being good at one’s job, it is also essential to stay updated with all the incoming trends and technologies. He is very keen and eager to keep up with the evolving industry. And with all that he learns through experience and certifications, he wants to share it with the rest of the people.

Training plus Knowledge

In addition to training his clients, Ashish also has a YouTube channel and a podcast where he shares fitness-related knowledge and information with his clients.

“My fitness journey started by watching YouTube, videos, and now I have my own YouTube channel where people watch my videos.”

Life has almost come full circle for Ashish.

Accessibility to Fitness

With fitness also finding its footing through virtual and online modes, access to it still remains limited. Ashish who is currently based out of Jharkhand, says that these new and upcoming technologies are hardly available to regions of Bihar and Jharkhand, especially to the non-English speakers. One of the major drawbacks to all kinds of technologies remains the limitations of language.

Goals for 2022

Ashish’s long-standing goal is opening more gyms in his areas. Along with this, he aims to reach more and more people, get better at his job by constantly learning from clients’ feedback.

To know more about Ashish's fitness programs, visit here.

For more such fitness stories, visit SocialBoat.