SuperCharged! : An evening with Annavi Khot
By: Shranya Gambhir
Tags: Fitness, Health Foods, Gym, Womens Health, Nutrition

SuperCharged! : An evening with Annavi Khot

A couple of months back the CoolCoach Toppers got to interact with Annavi Khot, a Fitness Instructor and Nutritionist at Nitrro Wellness and Fitness Hub, Pune. Annavi is an inspiration for multiple reasons, but especially as a trainer conquering her work every day in an industry dominated by men. Apart from being a Pilates Mat Work Level 4 trainer and an ISSA certified Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer, she also has a certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. To top it all, Annavi also runs her own company called “Raw Treats”, selling vegan snacks and desserts!

Annavi Khot

CoolCoach met with Annavi a few times (for the interview and otherwise) and she always walks in with a warm smile on her face, hair scrunched up, looking the part of an ultra strong woman who is ready to very sweetly kick some ass! She is focused, passionate and serious about her work and is already showing her world what she is capable of!

We got her to take let her hair down and chill with us which wasn’t too tough because she’s super easy to talk to. Let us introduce you to Annavi Khot!

Are you a morning person or a night person?

I wake up at 5–5.30am. Does that answer it?

Whoa. Sure does! What does your average day look like?

5–5.30am : Wake up call

6.30 to 10.30–11am : Personal Training begins and I’m with my personal clients, making sure they’re hitting their goals.

11am : I head home and get started on the orders I get for my baked goods. That usually takes up my afternoons.

Between 3- 6pm : Head to the gym for my own workout. This is usually the time the gym is most free.

6.30 to 8pm : Back to my personal clients which ends my work day.

Night time routine post dinner is catching up on the studying for whatever courses I’m doing at any point in my life or just making sure I’m staying up to date on what’s happening in the fitness and nutrition industry.

11pm : Fast asleep having watched a movie or so.

Most popular Raw Treats goodie?

I get a lot of orders for protein bars (most popular being peanut butter + chocolate). They’re priced at Rs.120 per bar. I use almond/oat flour and have zero preservatives which make it very healthy. I also get a good amount of orders for vegan brownies and snacks.

What kind of vegan snacks?

They’re mostly dry fruit based. There are trail mixes, and then there are caramelized dry fruits. You know what’s also popular? Laddoos! They’re a great pre-work energy bit, plus a snack that keeps you pretty full!

CoolCoach: When did you discover a passion for fitness?

Annavi: When I was in the 10th grade, I fell in love with dumbbells. It was the first time I had ever entered a gym, and I felt a chill down my spine when I touched them. While I was completing my degree in hospitality, I continued to train hard at the gym and eat healthy. It’s only after college that it hit me that my true passion lay in fitness and health.

Personal Transformation

CoolCoach: How and when did you decide that you wanted to make a career out of your passion in fitness?

Annavi: Honestly? I loved it a little too much and couldn’t imagine doing anything else! I knew it was going to be difficult, I knew that I’d have to fight my family and others, but this was it for me and I had to go for it! In fact, I began training to be a spinning instructor while completing my degree. I read many books, did online courses and made sure I was up to date in an ever-evolving industry. Nothing can beat knowledge and I knew that my hard work would pay off! Having chosen an off-beat profession, I knew I had to make my place in it, and one that made me irreplaceable.

CoolCoach: Tell us about your biggest strength and the biggest challenge you faced in your journey.

Annavi: My biggest strength have been the people I am surrounded by. They say who you are is defined by the people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely and that is something I live by. The biggest challenge I faced and continue to battle till today is the stigma attached with being a girl in the fitness industry. But here I still am, thriving! Our society is not very accepting of those who steer from the norm but I believe that facing these challenges made me stronger and helped me grow spiritually.

CoolCoach: Tell us more about your journey as a woman in this industry.

Annavi: Well, I would say that my biggest challenge has been making my place in an industry dominated by men. However, what remains with me is working with other women and showing them how strong they are, completely changing the idea that women do not belong in the gym.

CoolCoach: According to you, what is the role of a fitness instructor?

Annavi: A fitness instructor is not just one person! An instructor juggles multiples roles every day. The most challenging aspect of being one is realizing the huge responsibility one has towards another person’s body and health! As an instructor, I look out for my client’s physical and mental health. I try to push them to be the best version of themselves and guide them towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

CoolCoach: What advice would you give those who are trying to make it in this industry?

Annavi : Read!Read!Read! I know I sound super nerdy but really, the key is to make sure you know your work really well. Reach out to the right people and don’t be afraid is what I’d say! Worry about money later and first work hard on making yourself valued. Where you come from does not matter, what matters is what you do!

Quick Fire QnAs with Annavi Khot

· Favourite form of exercise: Squats!

· Your cheat meal consists of: Vegan burgers and dessert. I have a surprisingly strong sweet tooth!

· Favourite fitness personality to follow on Instagram: Kaisa Keranen (kaisafit) and Frank Medrano (frank_medrano)

· Your go to midday snack: Dry Fruits!

Raw Treats getting prepared!

If these Raw Treats is getting your spinal cord in a tingle, head to Instagram or Facebook! Annavi accepts direct messages for orders (Instagram: Annavi.Khot and Facebook: RawTreats). Another good news is that she will soon be selling her goodies at popular vegan cafes around Pune city!

As for us, we’re looking forward to spending more time with her and maybe work in a baking lesson or two!