
“Hi, I am Sheetal”
A mum of two boys… one a young adult and the other a teenager… “I am also a Health Coach.” This introduction invariably leads to: “Seriously? You don’t look like the mum of two boys.” And, “What does a Health Coach do? Is it like a Dietician or a Nutritionist?” Well, I did look like the mum of two boys many years ago. My younger son was just born and I had put on loads of weight. Often, as young mothers do, I found it difficult to prioritise my own fitness needs over the needs of my family. This would have continued had I not reminded myself of my early life experience. At the age of 17, I lost my father after a long illness — a loss I took years to recover from. That gave me the belief that I needed to prioritise my own health, not only for myself but also for my family. So, I joined a fitness club for the first time in my life. I expected to quickly fall off the wagon, as most people do who take up fitness later in life. However, much to my own surprise, I got hooked on to physical exercise, and my new fitness regime became an integral part of my life.
My weight fell away, my stamina increased, and my overall well-being improved significantly. As my interest in fitness deepened, I began to appreciate the role of nutrition in overall fitness and well-being. That led me to acquire a formal accreditation from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition — a USA-based and the world’s largest health coaching organisation. I had suffered a hormone imbalance due to my weight loss, an experience that led me subsequently to acquire additional specialization in Hormone Health from IIN. I firmly believe in doing work that has a positive impact on people. As a public speaker in wellness, I share my knowledge with audiences across the UAE. I have been a coordinator for a Toastmasters Club for youngsters for many years, helping scores of youngsters improve their communication and leadership skills. I also act as a volunteer to support people of determination. My health coaching practice allows me to combine my interest in health with my passion for impacting people positively.