It was December 2015. A bunch of close friends and I decided to trek up to Sinhagadh fort in Pune. Several moments of upward climb and idle chitchat later, I realized my heart had started beating too fast for comfort, and before I knew it, I was panting profusely. I stopped to catch my breath and looked ahead. We were not even half way there. The thought of giving up seemed more daunting than the arduous trek ahead. I pushed myself for as long as I could. But in the end, I lost the fight against stamina and decided to stop.

That day, seated alone at the foothills of Sinhagadh fort, I had an epiphany. My life flashed before my eyes. I realized that I was simply going through the motions. That unconquered fort was a huge wakeup call for me. This was the moment I decided to change tracks. I had to decide between a complete lifestyle overhaul and my cozy comfort zone of hanging out with friends, eating mindlessly and living a carefree life. Because when you are aiming for a total metamorphosis, there can be no in-between. I chose health and a fit, wholesome life. And it was the best decision I ever made!

The journey was not easy. But was it worth it? Hell yes! I had to compromise on quite a few “fun times”, even some friendships. But a healthier heart and stronger mind and body made it all seem worth it. It tested my will power to the fullest, because after all I was a normal 30-something year old guy with a social life every person that age enjoys. But now, after personally experiencing the miraculous returns of investing in my health, I have become a strong advocate of ‘Health comes first’.

Today, it has been almost a decade since I shunned my comfort zone. Early morning walks and peaceful mediation are my most prized energizers now. It’s about time we normalize making health our top-most priority.

I noticed that this shift was a huge boost in my entrepreneurial journey. Here’s how:

  1. It taught me disciple. Disciple is the key to being successful as an entrepreneur. Because no one is going to ask you why you didn’t log in at 9 am. It is your own self-disciple that will be your biggest propeller in growing your business.

  2. It taught me to be focused. You would have noticed that fitness enthusiasts are naturally more focused and less distracted than others. Research has proven that an active and healthy body acts as a catalyst for mental stability.

  3. It made me more confident. Getting out of your comfort zone is never easy. Me being able to achieve this transformation successfully gave me the confidence to pursue other challenges. It made me fearless and gave me the confidence to face challenges head-on. Approaching a tough client and making a pitch. Being able to crack a difficult client deal.

  4. It empowered me to fight my insecurities. Lethargy and insecurity often go hand in hand. A lethargic and insecure person can easily be manipulated. By making myself stronger than my lethargy, I conquered my weaknesses (that people often end up taking advantage of). It became easier to say ‘no’ to friends, because I was clear about my priorities, and in the process, I became a more assertive, secure person.

  5. It made me feel good about myself. Lastly and most importantly, my focus on fitness makes me feel good about myself. I feel more agile and younger. It is great to see other people getting inspired to achieve what you’ve been able to achieve. It makes the journey seem worth it. One of the biggest motivation for me was a visible shift in the admiration and respect you get from people, who actually start looking up to you for your dedication.

I would love to know the moment that changed your life. Looking forward for stories of inspiration and motivation!

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