At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Aastha Mehta for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Aastha is a Lifestyle Consultant, Yoga Trainer, Nutritionist and Founder at Nutrilicious by Aastha. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Aastha:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I reside in Hyderabad. Since school, I always felt that I wanted to learn something related to science but not be a part of the crowd who aimed to become an engineer or a doctor. I felt my scope lied in a field which has not been explored much.
After thorough research, I started developing an interest in Food and Nutrition. The effect various food groups had on our health and the way it governed all our actions was something that was not touched upon in school or junior college. I felt that the science behind these food combinations was something that was simple but complicated at the same time.
I did my graduation in BHSc specializing in Nutrition and Dietetics from SNDT Women’s University Pune. I moved on to get my Masters degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Symbiosis University, Pune.
After my post-graduation, I worked under a Bariatric Surgeon to specialise in Bariatric Nutrition. After working there for 15 months, I decided to pursue a second Masters degree in Obesity and Weight Management from the University of Chester, UK. I worked with HealthifyMe for 3 years after which I stared my private practice under the brand name Nutrilicious by Aastha.
How did you discover your passion?
During my college years, I was particularly drawn towards the Nutritional approaches to manage weight. After my post-graduation from Symbiosis University, I worked under a Bariatric Surgeon to guide patients post-surgery. There I learnt about the science behind the difficulties people face who suffer from managing their weight.
The implications of fad diets and the amount of misinformation around the topic further motivated me to learn about the correct ways to help people manage their weight. I learnt about post-surgical dietary care in those 15 months.
During my time there I enjoyed the one-to-one consultation I had with my clients. I realised that I enjoyed solving the various challenges faced by my clients and providing the personalised dietary approach and lifestyle changes for the same.
After getting my second Masters degree, I decided to work at HealthifyMe where I gained experience in managing clients online. I enjoyed my job where I could work with people from different working backgrounds, cultures and routines. My passion for becoming a Lifestyle Consultant grew and that motivated me to leave my job and start my own practice.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest motivation is my mother. I have seen her pursue her interests all my life. I saw her handle her responsibilities as a homemaker and learn new skills at the age of 55 years.
That made me realise that there is no early or late time to learn or grow. It just takes resilience and consistency and the motivation to never stop learning. Looking at her I feel motivated everyday to learn new things and stay at the top of my game always.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
The biggest strategy I have is to understand the client’s situation. I usually the the ABC’s approach.
A – Achievable Goals – Start small and keep it simple.
B – Build Confidence – Small wins keep the clients motivated.
C – Consistency building is Key – Sustainable habits beat extreme diets.
Along with this I also use the SMART goal strategy to help clients focus on achievable goals and keep the journey realistic.
The last strategy is the situation-specific solution (SSS) approach where instead of giving unnecessary restrictions I give my clients the correct dietary and lifestyle approach to various life situations.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, the key to success is consistency, mindfulness and constant support. As someone who understands the difficulty of doing everything on their own, I aim to give my clients the support they require.
To make them know that there is someone there who understands them and is ready to find a solution as a team.
What advice would you give to our readers?
The advice I would give them is:
The right time to start your journey is NOW. There will be weddings, festivals and busy times all year but your health will always come first!
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
