It is said that if one has a strong will then heavens align to make it happen. Going from strength to strength I am living the best 12 years of my life and this is my story.
My name is Poonam, I am a 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo Martial Art and a PT Coach with FITTR.
The Inception
My school employed a Karate instructor and watching him practice seeded my inspiration for martial arts. I went through some grueling training, without any comforts of gym mats or padded floor, just a solid cement floor. Growing up in a semi-rural part of India teaches you a lot of lessons early on. The first and foremost is to Seize the Opportunity. All my education was done away from my home, in the nearest city. It was a longish commute, a full day spent just for attending college. This taught me the importance of how to pack most of my activities in a day. Time management and multitasking became my second nature. Later, taking care of the home, two toddlers, managing my activities became a breeze.
Training Begins
After getting married and having two kids came a time when we relocated to Texas. There, a local gym incidentally started a program in Taekwondo Martial Arts. This was the beginning of an amazing period. The age of 34 hardly gave me any scare.
Carpe Diem!
I joined the program and went full tilt with my passion and completed my first Black Belt in 3.5 years. I also participated in tournaments and won three gold, two silver medals in inter-club championships. Later graduated to the second DAN Black Belt.
Fast forward, kids grew, schooling, returned to India. Hyderabad Runners gave me an opportunity to coach budding runners. I had an excellent time for about 3 years until Corona struck. Many of my trainees were able to complete full marathons.
Continue Training, Don’t Settle
My kids turned to teens. Returning after 6 years in the USA had its own set of challenges and the devil’s mind trying to slow me down. But the devil’s whisper had to be silenced, relaxing or settling as a housewife was never the target. As I kept steady on the higher curriculum of Taekwondo, a good friend of mine introduced me to FITTR, and incidentally, it was the start of the Transformation Challenge. I enrolled with a FITTR coach, learned Quantified Nutrition, Structured Workouts, Progressive Overloads. Ensured a definite grinding workout for twelve weeks.
Hurdles and Overcoming them
How often do hurdles come in life and open opportunities! We should never miss these. Coronavirus struck, lockdowns, the gym closed. Lost my job. My inner voice said – take all the challenges you need. Bumped up my home gym accessories. Prepared my schedule to the hour. Never missed a single day. Made it to Top 100 of the Transformation Challenge 10.
Post Script
Started a new job as FITTR PT Coach. Also enrolled with INFS. Because continuous learning is the only way to be on the top of the game. Highs and lows are part of life. Priorities change, locations change, even interests change. Everything happens for a reason. We don’t need to get all the questions answered, rather, with the available resources, internet, books, people, and time we should be able to carve out excellent health and fit future for ourselves. I started at 34 after two kids and reached a position, wherein, now I am helping thousands to come up and achieve their goals. Why can’t you!
Author: Poonam Shravage
