Celebrity fitness trainer Shivoham focusses on CrossFit. He started his journey as the founder of India’s first CrossFit box in 2009 and later, went on to train celebrities such as superstar Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Jacqueline Fernandes as well as coaches and athletes. Shivoham has recently started his online classes to train fitness enthusiasts across the world. TMM chatted with him about his journey, his fitness philosophy, and online classes.
How did the journey from Dheepesh Bhatt to Shivoham happen?
It all started when I met Vrinda (Mehta), now my wife. I used to teach TRX/CrossFit at her studio. Vrinda is a spiritual soul and she would speak about Shiva and I would just be glued to her energy. It was something I had never heard of but deep down, it had touched a chord which opened up a new dimension for me. The conversations started growing more intense and my curiosity for that same divine truth and spirituality started growing. It reached a point where I couldn’t relate to the person that I was and I wanted to get rid of the identity associated with my name Dheepesh. That’s when I covered up my tattoo which was my name and I was in search of a new name that would become me from then on. One day while doing push-ups, it came to me and boom! Shivoham was born.
Tell us about your journey into fitness.
I was five months old when my dad put me in the water for the first time and I straightaway took to my new surroundings. I participated in my first swimming competition when I was five years old without any coaching. The coach realised my potential and asked my dad to enroll me into coaching. I swam my first nationals in backstroke when I was 11 years old and also did a couple of sea swims at the Gateway of India when I was 12. I started weight training in school when I was around 15 with freehand workouts and tiny dumbbells. At that time, the official age to enter the gym was 18. Then when I turned 18, no one could stop me anymore. I would look forward to every training session and it started showing on me really quickly. Soon people would ask me for tips and exercises. I wasn’t a trainer then, just your friendly neighborhood gym addict.
When I was in Melbourne, I started selling memberships for a gym and then tried my hand at personal training after getting certified. That first day at the job I realized that this was it. There was nothing else I would rather do for the rest of my life. Training has always been my passion and from then on, coaching people and helping them achieve their goals became one too.
Shivoham, What are the main benefits of CrossFit?
If you look at it, it is nothing new. All the exercises have been there for a long time. What the founder of CrossFit did was to give it a structure and back it up with science and proof. It is simple, quick, never the same, and most of all, it always gives you results. Including movements from the three major sports of weight lifting, gymnastics and track and field, it gives us the most essential and foundational movements that can be helpful in training for any sport or fitness program. It helps in body awareness, building strength and stamina, improving speed, flexibility, and agility. More than anything, a lot of the workouts and the discipline of the training helps one understand themselves and become strong physically and mentally.
Why do you emphasize so much on mental fitness along with physical training?
This is the aspect that Vrinda taught me since she is a mental fitness expert. She always says that body and mind are not separate. This is a scientifically proven fact today that whatever affects us physically, affects the mind and vice versa. Without understanding and training the mind you can never truly transform the body inside out. Mental stress is the cause of most lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression etc. Yes, training and looking after your physical self is important but how will this benefit you if your own mind is driving you insane. Go to the gym, train hard, eat clean, but also learn to train the mind and eliminate stress on a daily basis. Basic breathing techniques and positive affirmations, guided concentration practices should also be used and should be a part of any and everyone’s training routine.
You have trained some of the biggest Indian celebrities. Can you tell us a bit about working with celebs and their dedication towards fitness?
Training Aamir sir, Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Arjun Kapoor has been a beautiful part of my journey. Each one of them has taught me a lot in their own way. I am an observer and where there is something to learn, I love to hang in a bit more. They are super disciplined professionals who know what it takes to get the job done and nothing comes in the way of them and their goals.
Shivoham, Tell us a bit about the online fitness sessions.
I heard a villain say this in an episode of the Marvel comic TV series called Daredevil – “Every problem is an opportunity in disguise”. Due to the current situation, we were all out of our comfort zones and something had to be done. I started with the online class and announced it on social media and there were takers for it straightaway. It took a little while to get used to it. I run two group classes, one in the morning and one in the evening. People from all over India are a part of the class training from their own homes. My online personal one-on-one training is what occupies most of my time. Training people from all over the world is truly a delight. The group workouts started simple and slow, but as everyone’s level of fitness has improved, I am able to deliver more intense and more elaborate workouts and yet, keep them simple for the beginners and those who are attending my class for the first time. I show and explain everything as many times as they want. Paying attention to everyone’s form and technique is important as I am a sucker for good form. We have now built a small but continuously growing community online. This being digital, country of residence is no more a barrier.
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