IF you had said to 13-year-old Shalini that she would someday be a model and go on the runway, she would not have believed you.
As a teenager, she struggled with weight and was considered obese. Not long after, she was diagnosed with several different illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
For years she was on a rotation of medications and treatments. That all changed when at the age of 24, armed with years of medical school knowledge, she decided to take charge of her own health.
She designed and configurated her own fitness routine which includes a mix of aerobics, yoga, and cardio. She followed a strict calorie-deficit diet and removed heavily processed foods from her meals.
Her new regime, which focused on proper diet and exercise worked. Within a span of six months, she lost over 40kg. Her health returned, and she found she no longer needed to be on any medications.
“I used to be 124kg. I've been maintaining the weight loss for the past 13 years, and I no longer need to be on any medication,” Shalini said during an interview with The Vibes.
“When I studied nutrition, I realised every single individual is different. Each of us has a different metabolic rate and each of our bodies work differently. So the fitness regime must reflect that.
"But I can say with confidence that as long as you go into a calorie deficit, and maintain a strict diet, you can surely lose weight and be healthier,” she explained.
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Since then, the Sri Muda native has become somewhat of an icon within her community and on social media. She has amassed over 200,000 followers through her online fitness classes and now runs 14 studios in various cities in Malaysia.
She credits the success she’s had to the team of licensed trainers behind her who volunteer their time to give back to the community.
“The message I want to deliver,” she says, “is that everyone should exercise, regardless of whether you are obese.
“Many people come up to me and say, ‘I’m not fat, why should I exercise?’ That is a completely wrong attitude to have. Fitness can also be about building strength, better posture and improving stamina. But most importantly, fitness makes you confident.”
The 35-year-old has also found success in pageantry and modelling. She was first crowned Mrs Saree Malaysia in 2019, and more recently was the first runner-up for Mrs Malaysia World 2022 and EcoQueen.
Shalini never considered modelling and fell into it by accident. Now she continues participating in various pageants to inspire the many other women within her fitness community, some of whom have also mustered the courage to walk the runway.
“Nearly 80% of the trainees under me are married women. If they see that I am able to do it, then that would give them the confidence to do it themselves,” she remarked. During the day, Shalini runs Aranda clinic with her husband Dr Yuveneswara Murti.
She was among the many victims of the Sri Muda flood last year, having suffered a financial loss that eclipsed over half a million. However, she did not allow the incident to bring her down and has remained a steadfast voice in her community.
She regularly provides charitable services to many Sri Muda residents. When asked what her secret was, she said she strongly advocated for self-care.
“I believe there must be balance in life. So even though I have the clinic, I take care of my body every single day. I train for around three hours a day. I never skip meals. I eat four to five times a day. Having a proper meal plan is important.
"Finally, I always set aside an hour a day to maintain a proper skincare routine. No matter what my schedule is like, I never compromise on these aspects of my day." – The Vibes, November 13, 2022
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