Sometimes amazing stories come our way and they can inspire others! That’s exactly what happened with a member at our Eastlake YMCA, Ashna Khatri. Her experiences with her personal trainer and the YMCA have helped her reach her personal goals and built not only her physique, but also her confidence.
Ashna Khatri's Story:
What started as a weight loss journey back in 2012, has blossomed into a transformational journey of self-discovery, healing and growth. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that joining the Eastlake YMCA could have such a profound impact on the person I am today. It would be an understatement to say that the Y is a key ingredient in my success story. The YMCA and everyone who has helped me reach my goals throughout the years are the reason I can boldly confess that I’m living my dream life today.
The Y is my second home. Every afternoon when I walk through those glass doors, I’m greeted with friendly faces and bright smiles. A sense of ease settles in knowing that I am surrounded by an extended family full of supportive, positive and empowering individuals. Training at the Y for the past six years has shown me the power of community and given me a gift I can carry through the rest of my life - the gift of health.
Looking back at my old photographs helps put things into perspective. At my heaviest, I weighed 210 pounds at just 16 years old. I had low self-esteem and a complete disregard for my physical well-being. It was hard to hold back tears when I looked in the mirror and saw the girl longed to be. Training gave me the courage to pursue my goals, no matter how big or small. It was that relentless pursuit of chasing my fitness goals that developed my physical strength and built my character. It helped me lose weight and become my ideal self. Going through this process has given me an unshakeable confidence that I’ve never had before. It’s being able to do the simple things like rocking a tank top at the gym or being comfortable navigating the weight room.
After going through a minor surgery back in July of 2017, I faced a new kind of adversity. Having to take a break from the gym for almost a month and a half crushed my motivation and took a toll on my mental health. I found myself at the lowest point in my life. At a time where I was surrounded by darkness, my trainer Aish was the ray of hope I was praying for. If it wasn’t for Aish, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today. That’s a lot to say, especially coming from someone like me whose been through the ins and outs of personal training since the age of 12. Training with Aish for the past seven months has been anything short of transformational. When I started training again in September, my physical fitness was at an all-time low. Poor posture, weakness from surgery and overall bad body mechanics defined me. With the support of my coach, I signed up for my first powerlifting meet in under a year of training! I went from struggling to do basic strength exercises to setting personal records on a weekly basis. And this is all thanks to my trainer, Aish.
I’ve found someone who believes in me and pushes me to my limits. She has shown me how strong I can be in mind, body and spirit. I am grateful to have Aish as a constant source of inspiration as I continue to conquer my goals. To anyone considering personal training, I want you to know that you CAN live your dream life. All it takes is that one person to unlock the greatness that is stored on the inside. And for me, it’s my trainer Aish. Thank you to everyone at the South Bay and Eastlake YMCAs for helping me be the best version of myself. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you all.
If you are seeking support in your weight loss journey, contact our Welcome Center for more information about our numerous personal fitness programs or click here to see our available options.