The Indian Boxer-Turned-Trainer Taking on the Fitness Industry, Her Way
Meet Neha Rathore Rana, certified fitness instructor, nutritionist, Indian National Boxer and founder of StayFit with Neha.
Born and raised in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Neha’s commitment to fitness began early. In school, she was an all-rounder; swimming, running track, cycling, and competing in cross-country events. Her love for sport and her natural ability caught the eye of her physical training teacher, a former university boxing champion, who introduced her to the world of boxing.
It didn’t take long for boxing to consume any and all of her spare time. Leaving for and returning from practice in the dark, Neha nonchalantly sported bruises and bleeding lips, understandably prompting concern from her parents.
Spurred on by her coach, advocating for her undeniable ability, Neha’s parents were able to push past their fears for their daughter’s physical well-being, allowing Neha to continue her journey. At just 14 years old, Neha entered and took home gold in a district-level women’s boxing championship.
The recognition she received from her family, school and community for her achievements marked a turning point for Neha; “I knew I had really done something,” she recalls. Her parents’ pride gave her the confidence to keep pursuing her love for boxing, with Neha going on to compete in boxing tournaments at a state and national level.
Later, she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in India, choosing the Navy as her division. Those two years instilled the mental and physical discipline that would set the foundation for her future in fitness.
Paving the path to starting StayFit with Neha
Alongside her athletic achievements, Neha is no stranger to academic success, holding a Masters in Human Resource Management and Finance, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce. These qualifications led her into a corporate career, where she worked as an Assistant Project Lead across various industries.
A decade into corporate life, Neha made the bold decision to assess and start over. She returned to study and realigned her career path with her passion for fitness. Through gaining accreditations in personal training, she sought to help others live healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.
While her parents stood by her decision, not everyone was supportive. “People didn’t see the struggles, the sleepless nights, or the early morning starts. They only saw a woman leaving a stable white-collar job for what they considered a lesser profession,” Neha reflects.
In spite, or perhaps because of this, Neha established StayFit with Neha, her personal training business that she currently nurtures alongside a full-time role at AGL Energy. “I gave myself five years to make StayFit with Neha a success. I’m three years in, and I’m still not where I want to be. But I’ve learned that businesses don’t fail if you stay committed to your vision. This is part of who I am now, I won’t let it fail,” she affirms.
Fitness for women, designed by a woman who gets it
With Australians ranking sixth globally in per capita wellness spending (recoverylab.com.au), Neha knows that differentiating your offer is key.
A standout feature of Neha’s approach is her commitment to female-specific training, that adapts with the changes and fluctuations women’s bodies constantly undergo to work with the body, not against it. “Women’s bodies and energy levels fluctuate weekly, monthly, and across different life stages. Most programs don’t cater to these shifts, and that’s why women often experience frustration and lack of progress,” Neha observes.
Neha’s philosophy also revolves around personalised fitness tracking, considering not just workout routines but also energy levels, injuries, stress, sleep, and overall lifestyle factors – an approach that enables authentic, sustainable results. For Neha, fitness stands on a tripod of exercise, nutrition, and rest & recovery; if any one of these elements is missing, you are simply not getting fit.
Culturally aware coaching that hits home
Perhaps most uniquely, having personally navigated the fitness challenges faced by many within the South Asian community, Neha brings a level of cultural understanding for a growing South Asian fitness and wellness audience that few others in the industry can offer.
Possessing an intimate understanding of the influence of cultural habits, especially around food, and how it plays a significant role in shaping one’s relationship with health, Neha shares her own struggles with yo-yo dieting and the societal pressures around food, including misconceptions about weight loss.
“There was a time when I thought I could only lose weight through extreme restriction, and I struggled with the cycle of losing and regaining 10-12 kg repeatedly. It wasn’t until I embraced balance and educated myself on sustainable habits that I truly began my journey to fitness,” Neha reflects.
Her goal is to help individuals make small, sustainable changes that balance their cultural traditions with modern, healthy habits. “This is a constant battle many South Asians face, but I aim to empower them with the tools they need to create lasting change,” Neha says.
Finding her tribe in a home away from home
A commitment to success involves a supportive community. When Neha first discovered the Australian South Asian Centre (ASAC), she was immediately drawn to its mission and the strong network of South Asian women it represented.
Moving to Melbourne three years ago, leaving her own network behind, Neha felt vulnerable and suddenly responsible for everything on her own. Whilst she has always found it challenging to socialise, she actively sought out community-based opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. ASAC appeared on her social media and what stood out was the shared journeys of so many others – navigating life in a foreign country while pursuing their ambitions.
Neha gathers inspiration from “the incredible women within ASAC; smart, entrepreneurial, and driven” and is grateful for a community and a platform where “South Asian women can rediscover themselves, gain visibility for their businesses and passions, and build meaningful connections; whether it’s finding social support, career opportunities, or entrepreneurial growth, ASAC empowers women to thrive.”
What’s Next for StayFit With Neha?
Coming from an entrepreneurially minded family, Neha relishes the freedom, self-expression and independence that comes from being a business owner.
For now, she is navigating the ways to make StayFit with Neha a success. Having heard somewhere that 90% of businesses fail in their first year of existence, Neha decided that she would propel StayFit with Neha beyond a mere idea, taking it to the very heights of success. Her business is part of her and her commitment to her business mission is resolute, “StayFit with Neha isn’t just about exercise; it’s about transforming mindsets, lifestyles, and long-term well-being.”
This series of member profiles is supported by Victorian Government through Business Victoria
This was the first time in my life (and in my mother’s, as she confirmed) that I had seen the story of a Tamil woman in Australia told on a stage. When we don’t put these stories on our stages, we don’t just close a door on the future; we decide these aren’t Australian stories, and the people in them aren’t quite Australian either.
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