The
Girl Who Watched Life from the Sidelines
I was born and raised in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in a
close-knit family where I felt safe but never confident enough to take up
space. Studying in a Gujarati-medium school, I often found myself shrinking
away from conversations, especially in English. Even at home, when guests
visited, I would quietly request my parents to let me stay inside because I
dreaded social interactions. I didn’t believe I belonged in bigger, bolder
worlds.
That sense of being an outsider grew deeper when I
joined HL College in Ahmedabad, a prestigious commerce college where most
students spoke fluent English, came from influential backgrounds, and carried
themselves with unshakable confidence. I remember the sting of being labeled
“behanji” — a word that told me I wasn’t modern or sophisticated enough to fit
in. I kept my head down, silently aware of everything I lacked. Eating out with
friends wasn’t a joyful experience; it was an exercise in quiet calculation,
scanning the menu for the cheapest option so I wouldn’t burden anyone. Yet
through this discomfort, a quiet voice inside me began to whisper that life
could be different — that I could one day find the confidence I so admired in
others.
A
Diagnosis That Transformed My Destiny
My struggles with self-worth were compounded by a lifelong
health challenge that overshadowed every part of my life. From a young age, I
was diagnosed with thalassemia minor, a genetic blood disorder that meant my
body could not carry oxygen efficiently, leaving me chronically fatigued and
vulnerable to illness. My hemoglobin levels hovered around 7 or 8 — far below
the healthy range. I was constantly pale, my skin dull, my energy depleted.
Even a short walk or climbing a few stairs would leave me breathless. My gut
was in turmoil; digestive issues and weakness were my constant companions.
Doctor after doctor told me the same thing: “There’s
nothing you can do. This is genetic. You’ll live with it forever.” They handed
me iron tablets that made me feel worse, and with each appointment, I began to
feel like my life would always be limited. These words from professionals —
people I trusted to help me — started to weigh down my spirit. I resigned
myself to the idea that my future would be small and my dreams unrealistic.
But as time passed, my frustration with this destiny
grew louder than my fear of failing. I began reading everything I could find,
from books on nutrition to research on holistic healing. I studied Ayurveda,
explored functional medicine, and tried to understand the science behind food
and the gut. Nights that could have been spent resting were instead filled with
study, planning, and reflection on what might be possible if I refused to give
up. I started making small changes in my meals, prioritizing nutrient-dense
foods, healing my gut, and building rituals that supported my body instead of
overwhelming it.
After 18 months of unwavering commitment, my hemoglobin
climbed from 7 to 14.2 — numbers that every doctor had insisted were impossible
for me to achieve. At first, they thought the reports were incorrect. But the
results were real, and so was my newfound energy. For the first time, I
experienced days without overwhelming fatigue, moments of mental clarity, and a
sense of control over my own body. This transformation was more than physical.
It shattered the walls of helplessness I had built around myself. I realized
that the same determination that helped me heal could also help me create a
life beyond what I had ever imagined.
Strength
Beyond Survival
As my energy returned and my confidence grew, I no
longer wanted to simply feel “normal” — I wanted to know what it felt like to
truly thrive. I started working out slowly, celebrating every push-up, every
squat, every day I felt stronger. Movement, once impossible, became a source of
joy and empowerment. I became disciplined with my training, committed to
routines that strengthened not only my body but also my mind. Exercise wasn’t
just about building muscles; it was about proving to myself that I could do
hard things, one rep at a time.
My hunger for growth spilled beyond the gym. I set my
sights on challenges that once felt unthinkable. I became a certified fitness
instructor, determined to share my knowledge with others. I discovered
skydiving and fell in love with the rush of freefall — a far cry from the girl
who used to hide behind her parents at social gatherings. Skydiving became a
powerful symbol of freedom for me, and I eventually became a licensed solo
jumper, completing over 65 skydives. I climbed to Everest Base Camp twice,
feeling the power of my breath at altitudes where the air thins but
determination thickens. I traveled to over 18 countries, exploring cultures and
landscapes I had only dreamed about.
These milestones weren’t about ticking off a bucket
list. They were about reclaiming the life I was once told I could never have.
Each adventure reminded me that my limits were not set in stone. They were
written in the beliefs I held about myself — beliefs I had now learned to
rewrite. These experiences also revealed my growing passion for helping others
break free from their own limitations, sparking the early flames of a mission
that would reach far beyond my own story.
From
Personal Healing to a National Mission
In January 2020, a simple question from my husband
changed the course of my life: “Why don’t you share your story?” Opening up
felt vulnerable, but I soon realized how many people saw themselves in my
journey — individuals living with chronic fatigue, digestive issues, or
lifelong conditions they had been told were irreversible. Sharing my story
helped others feel seen, and teaching them what I had learned gave them hope.
That’s how Fit Bharat Mission was born. What began as
small videos and personal coaching sessions grew into a movement that connected
people from every corner of India, united by a desire to take charge of their
health. Through webinars, workshops, and personalized coaching, we focused on
sustainable, practical lifestyle changes. The mission was never about offering
a miracle, but about empowering people with the knowledge and tools to create
lasting health transformations.
But numbers aren’t our goal. Our goal is a revolution.
We want to make India disease-free and medicine-free by 2047, the 100th year of
our independence. We want to give people true freedom — not just from illness,
but from misinformation, fear, and dependence on quick-fix medicine. Through
Fit Bharat Mission, I’m not just trying to make people fit. I’m trying to give
people their power back. Power to reverse disease. Power to prevent medication dependency.
Power to say no to inherited patterns — whether they’re genetic, cultural, or
emotional. When someone tells me they got off their diabetes meds, or reversed
their PCOS, or finally feels energy for the first time in years — that’s not
just transformation. That’s liberation.
As the community grew, I recognized how important it was
for people to access clean, effective nutritional support. This inspired me to
create Right Human Nutrition (RHN) — a line of transparent, clinically
researched & tested supplements designed to nourish without harmful
additives. Alongside this, I took on the role of Director at Welocity Genetics,
where we work at the forefront of DNA-based preventive health., helping people
understand their unique genetic risks and take proactive steps to prevent
disease before symptoms even appear. Because the best cure is prevention — and
that power lies in awareness.
Redefining
Health as the Foundation of Freedom
No matter where I am — whether in Ahmedabad or halfway
across the globe — my mornings belong to me. I start with supergreens,
sunlight, yoga, and journaling. I block my work hours and follow through with
meetings, strategy, and sessions. I stop by evening, hit the gym, and then
spend time with my closest circle of people — usually over a game of pickleball
or a simple meal at home. We’ve built a gym and sports court in our house — not
for luxury, but to make wellness easy and non-negotiable.
Today, I see health not just as a goal but as the
starting point of every possibility in life. True freedom isn’t found in
external success but in the energy to dream, the strength to pursue those
dreams, and the presence of mind to enjoy every step along the way. Without
health, even the best opportunities can feel empty. But with health, every day
can become an adventure.
I’ve also come to understand that mental and emotional
wellness are inseparable from physical health. Chronic stress, lingering
self-doubt, and unprocessed emotions can quietly sabotage the body’s ability to
heal. Real transformation happens when we nurture the mind and body together,
respecting the deep connection between them.
Through my journey, I’ve learned that healing is always
possible, even when it seems out of reach. I want people to know they are not
broken or beyond help — no matter how many years they’ve struggled. Change
begins the moment you choose yourself, again and again. Health isn’t a final
destination; it’s a choice we make every single day. And choosing yourself is
the first, bravest step toward the freedom to live the life you’ve always
deserved.
I believe true success begins with health. It’s about
waking up with energy, feeling mentally light, laughing with loved ones, and
being free from pain and medications. My deepest wish is for every person to
remember they are not destined to live in suffering, but born to thrive.