Fitness model, Tejal Kadam, is not just jaw-droppingly beautiful but has amassed a “to die for” body. You’ll be surprisingly amused to know that there’s a lot more to learn from her than just being fit. Her journey has indeed built her to be independent, strong-willed and altruistic. At 24, born in a city like Mumbai, Tejal has managed her career and success with a striking balance!
Tejal remembers herself as being drawn to dance and outdoor activities, an interest she eventually builds and worked on in college. Given her outdoorsy and extroverted personality, she would often be mocked for not being studious enough or focused enough. To be able to be “accepted” by her parents and society, she redirected her efforts and the fire of pursuing her passion – all towards studying. She managed to get a handsome score in middle school and high-school.
However, her journey to creating the chiseled physique she now possesses started on a rough note with her gaining kilos in a bid to devote herself to rigorous studying to be a Company Secretary.
Her mother encouraged her to sweat it out at the gym and from then on there was no looking back for Tejal.
She spiced up her boring cardio routine by trying new forms of workout and strength training and mastered the same under the guidance of her coach. Her participation at an impromptu powerlifting event at her college donning a simple pair of denim was the turning point of her life and thereafter she found herself mastering at each powerlifting event she participated in. Tejal had to do a lot of learning and inculcate some discipline to follow the path she had chosen to grow in; which meant even giving up on a lucrative government job. Nothing could deter her from accomplishing what she visualized for herself – she faced it all, from a boyfriend trying to limit her dreams, a hectic routine of running for work and trying to earn a living, to family & friends having their doubts about her choice of career.Later, with the help of weight training, she transformed herself into having this trimmed and toned body for participating in Bodybuilding Bikini Competitions. Being the first Indian woman to win the prestigious Miami Pro- Championship in January 2019 was her moment of crowning glory.
She went on to win 3 other competitions consecutively in January and February 2019. Apart from being a well-known face on Instagram with 38.1k followers, Tejal is a proud owner of a café called “The Shimmer Shine Café” devoted to serving nutritional dietary options. She adds that her café’s unique name is influenced by her Fitness coach cum Godfather, Mr Viraj Sarmalkar (also known as Maverick )
Tejal, a now certified personal trainer and nutritionist, does her bit to give back to society in her own way by helping people work on achieving a healthy body through workouts and monitored diet plans. Instilling confidence, self-esteem and helping them build a healthy lifestyle is very rewarding to her.
Tejal seeks to build her future plans around reaching out to the masses through writing her own blog and creating podcasts where she plans to bring out the importance of mental health & physical fitness. She displayed the softer side of her personality by sharing that she practices gratitude daily, travels solo, and reads to acquire a sense of calm. She wants her admirers to do the same. She reveals her secret to “keep going on” is to wake up each day to her “Wall of Achievements & Future Goals” that works as an excellent repeated reminder to never back down no matter what life throws at you. Her grit and relentless determination are sure to instill a sense of self-belief and motivation. Her story is one that you do not come across daily and looking at how disciplined and dedicated she is certainly an inspiration for many people across the country.
