Stridist Stories: Shamiya Patel

Hello! Who are you and what do you do?

Hello! My name is Shamiya. I’m an owner of my online coaching business Shamiya Mirza Fitness, which I rebranded to Shamiya Nikunj: Health Simplified this year. Since 2022 I am working as a full time coach. I specialise in pre and postnatal care that women need after this beautiful journey called motherhood.

What’s your backstory and how did you end up in your current position?

I am born and brought up in a small city in Gujarat, India and my journey has been filled with unexpected turns and incredible achievements. Since childhood I was always passionate about health and fitness watching my father. After marriage, I embarked on a new adventure in Hong Kong, where I initially pursued a career as a teacher. Seeking further growth, I transitioned to a demanding 9-6 job in IT and worked hard for almost 8 years, constantly challenging myself to excel in the corporate world and health and fitness took a back seat. During that time, I was diagnosed with a herniated disc, which later lead to sciatica pain due to prolonged sitting. I badly wanted to reduce weight and was looking for ways on the internet and that’s when I did my first certifications. In 2020 during peak covid times I gave birth to our little bundle of joy who is now 3.5 year old. I was always passionate about fitness and fuelled this passion by starting a bodybuilding career last year and was placed at an international stage. Finally, last year, I took a leap of faith and established my own online fitness coaching business, allowing me to combine my love for fitness and helping individuals providing them a platform to get the right guidance to get fit.

What were your first few months like in the fitness industry?

To be honest starting was fun and easy as I was doing it alongside my full time corporate job. Since last year, it’s been a challenge. Especially since being mother, I am always on calendar booking timings to get things done. On demanding days where my lil one needs my attention, I find super challenging. On such days, I stay up late to complete my to do list and I wont lie there are days where I can’t get most of it done. But, I am gradually picking pace and managing time better as my little one is getting busy learning too. Lately my calendar is organised well and task are done, not deferred.

What has the journey been getting from those first few months to where you are today?

A roller coaster. There are all sorts of days to be honest. Some days I am like I can do it and there are also days when I feel why am I doing this. But I feel its gradually picking pace and getting better, especially after the Build program I’m getting direction. I know where I lack and investing time / money in the right direction is giving me results. I am definitely more confident in my business and services.

What’s been the hardest moment/biggest challenge of your career so far?

Prepping for my bodybuilding competition and handling business with my tiny little one sticking to me all the time. Self learning everything marketing, editing software, software to deliver coaching, pricing, budget, tools to create flyers, creating products, testing them on different devices and working on website since the last 2 years which hopefully is part of my business progress this year.

What’s been your biggest win / proudest moment?

Out of the blue a random DM from someone who watched my training videos said you changed my life for good and shared her progress photos and how happy she was after losing 5kg weight. One of the biggest win was my postpartum client being able to move normally without any lower back pain since she started coaching with me.

How and what are you doing today and what does the future look like?

Currently I am working on improving services, providing more educational material for my existing clients and upgrading online coaching packages with PT and online coaching to reach more individuals.

What does a day in the life of you look like?

Wake up at 6, start with online client check-in calls for the day. I personally love this part about online coaching, no matter which part of the world we live in, we can always make it work. I wake up my daughter at 7, spend some time with her before she goes to school, followed by my own training session. Get ready for next set of calls, working on educational coaching material for my existing clients followed by social media post calendar. Evening is for 1-1 PT classes. After that I check my mail and end my day. I then go out with my daughter for a walk, have family dinner and put my daughter to bed. Once she sleeps I plan for the next day, get gym bag and clothes ready.

Advice for people who are considering or have just started in the industry?

If people can sell dumb shit and earn money, I am adding value to someone’s life. No matter how slow the growth currently looks you are still going forward.

What have been the key moments in your career so far what was the impact of those moments?

Delivering my coaching service without having to pitch and sell it was one of the key moment this year.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I want to thank Sukh for doing the Build program, it has been so valuable for me to gain awareness of areas that require improvement.

Where can people find you?

Instagram

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