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Transforming Health and Life: Dhiren Matani’s Inspirational Journey to Wellness

Dhiren Matani - Healthy lifestyleIn the face of persistent health challenges, Dhiren Matani, (43), an entrepreneur from Mumbai, embarked on a journey of resilience and transformation. Battling weight issues and a heart condition for some years, he refused to succumb to the daunting odds. Through sheer determination, he took control of his health at the right time by adopting a disciplined lifestyle that nurtured positive change. With unwavering commitment, Dhiren not only managed to conquer these obstacles but also embraced a life of balanced well-being. His story is an inspiring testament to the incredible power of self-care, offering hope and motivation to all those on their path to vitality and wellness.

The Starting Point

So how did it start for Dhiren? In 2017, Dhiren weighed over 90 kg. He was walking 6 km daily and doing some exercises, but none of that reflected in weight loss. Then in 2018, he had a heart attack. That was the turning point for him.

“Post my heart attack, everything changed. I had to take care of my health. The doctor had recommended no running. Basically, I was restricted from doing any activity that would increase my heart rate. I was on medication for my heart issue,” says Dhiren. Dhiren continued with simple exercises like walking and yoga. However, he wanted to get healthy. And was looking for smart watch to help him align his lifestyle.

The Journey with GOQii

Dhiren’s search for a smartwatch eventually led him to GOQii. On reading about GOQii he realised the device came with 3 months personalised coaching. “I liked the fact that GOQii offered three months of personal coaching as well. I joined GOQii in February 2022,” says Dhiren.

On joining GOQii – His health goal was to reduce weight, maintain it, and also control his heart condition and blood pressure.

Dhiren’s initial coach, Gaurav, focused on exercises for weight loss and a reduced-carb diet. “I used to watch Jeet Selal’s video on Play and Exercise,” says Dhiren. Dhiren lost around 6 kg within the first 3 months of joining GOQii. Thereafter, his coach changed, and Meenal Khandelwal was his new coach.

With coach Meenal, the focus changed. Coach Meenal took a holistic approach. She explained the right diet and how to eat right. She focused on maintaining Dhiren’s weight.

Meenal says: “I had to introduce a few habits for Dhiren”, such as Reducing fat intake and adding healthy snack options. For a healthy, balanced diet, fruits and proteins were also added.

Take probiotics for better digestion and green tea with a pinch of cinnamon to control his Blood pressure.

The Challenges and Triumphs

It has not been easy for Dhiren. Maintaining a healthy routine is challenging due to busy schedules, temptations, and a lack of immediate results.

“Initially, it was difficult for Dhiren to change his routine due to his work schedule. But, slowly and steadily he worked towards it and was able to make the changes,” says coach Meenal.

Overcoming inertia, consistency, and adapting to setbacks require mental resilience. Yet, the rewards of enhanced well-being make the effort worthwhile, turning dedication into a catalyst for positive change.

Dhiren’s efforts to follow a routine and be disciplined and consistent helped him achieve his weight loss (his current weight is 78 kgs). However, nine months ago, borderline blood sugar levels were detected, prompting a precautionary course of medication due to a family history of diabetes.

The medication was continued for a period of 4-5 months. Following this, regular blood sugar monitoring revealed normal levels, leading to the discontinuation of medication. His blood sugar is now under control and is focused on maintaining it.

A Journey Towards Wellness

In Dhiren’s inspiring journey, we witness the transformative power of discipline and dedication. He not only shed excess weight but has taken control of his health. With his blood sugar now under control and medications halted, he stands as a testament to what one can achieve with resilience.

As he continues to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle with all his vital parameters under control, Dhiren’s story reminds us that every small step towards health is a giant leap towards a brighter, medication-free future. The journey is ongoing, and Dhiren’s determination keeps him on the path to lasting well-being.

If you or someone you know is on a similar health journey, share this article and consider subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here for guidance and support.

Explore more inspiring Health Stories here.

#BeTheForce

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GOQii Trail Challenge Season 3 – A Reflection

GOQii Trail Challenge - A Reflection

“Pain is inevitable, Suffering is Optional”

This quote, attributed to Buddhist teachings, was first introduced to me by author Haruki Murakami. It has stayed with me since, and has been particularly relevant to the planning of the GOQii Trail Challenge Season 3.

In 2015, I decided to graduate from running half marathons to attempting a full marathon. I thought that since I was able to do a half marathon with ease, slowly building up to a full marathon should be a manageable feat. However, at the 32km mark, my legs failed me and I was forced to walk the remaining distance, limping to the finish line. I realized that the line between healthy confidence and unhealthy pride is thin, and in this case, my pride had gotten the best of me. The lesson I learned was that there is no substitute for proper training, and it requires time and dedication.

Preparing The Trail

When planning GTC Season 3, we had to take into consideration the limited training opportunities that COVID-19 had created for participants, and therefore, the trail needed to have a balance of “highs and lows”. We also developed a training calendar to help participants prepare. In March 2022, when the Omicron wave had subsided and local authorities relaxed some public gathering restrictions, we began the process of plotting the new trail on a map. We worked with local villages who had expressed interest in being a part of GTC, and considered factors such as checkpoint accessibility and infrastructure.

In May 2022, our team set out on an adventure through the mountainous region of Mandangad, armed with maps, compasses, and machetes. The dense vegetation and varied topography of the area presented a challenge, but we were determined to find a trail that was suitable for first-time hikers. Our team included both experienced hikers and beginners, including one woman, to ensure a balanced experience.

GTC Team 1

As we hiked, we kept in mind the needs and capabilities of first-time hikers. The ability to see the trail ahead can make a big difference in terms of perceived difficulty, and we made sure to choose routes that offered good visibility. We also avoided dense sections of foliage that could be disorienting and exhausting. While some of these sections were picturesque, we determined that they were not suitable for the GTC trail.

After scouting various routes and making our final selection, we marked it on our map and waited for the monsoon season to pass. The monsoon season in the Ratnagiri region is known for its heavy rains and tall grass growth. In 2022, the monsoon season was particularly long, resulting in even taller grass. 

As part of GOQii’s Karma initiative, the decision was made to involve the local community in the trail-making process. Not only does this contribute to the local economy, but it also allows the community to be a part of the event and utilize their knowledge of the region’s old trails and how to navigate the tall grass without disrupting the ecosystem.

From October to mid-November, work was done to prepare the trail for Season 3. When the time came, the group of both first-timers and experienced walkers walked the full trail and determined it was ready for the season.

Dec 10th 2022: D-Day

The motto of #DiscoverYourTrail has a purpose: to inspire people to become the best versions of themselves. At GOQii, we encourage our players to constantly strive for improvement and growth. This motto has a deeper meaning that is meant to be experienced through personal journey and reflection. It embodies the positive qualities of someone who is willing to take risks, embrace change, and move forward with determination, even when faced with uncertainty.

GOQii Trail Challenge

After completing a challenging trail like the GOQii Trail Challenge, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. But after a good night’s rest and some time to reflect, you may find that you are able to view the experience in a different light. You may begin to analyze your performance, piece by piece, and gain a deeper understanding of your own strengths and areas for improvement.

Like my Full Marathon experience, you too would then get the meaning of the Murakami quote.

Pain is inevitable, Suffering is Optional.

P.S: I would like to express my gratitude to all the participants who joined in the GTC Season 3.

A special thank you goes out to the Altitude Quest team and the local villagers for their assistance in designing and developing the trail.

I also want to thank Vasanthi, Rylan, Anand, and Parwage for joining me in exploring the trail, as well as the team of volunteers who worked tirelessly at each checkpoint with a smile.

Thank you to Sunny, Puneet, Yasser, and Dinesh for their help with the infrastructure setup, and to the Blue Green Exotica team for being wonderful hosts once again.

#BeTheForce

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GOQii Trail Challenge Heroes: Give Up on Shankar Sabadi Giving Up!

Shankar Sabadi

Through adversity, there is redemption! What would life be without challenges? How would you know your limits? It is because of challenges we learn our limits, how to push past them and reach our goals. Getting demotivated is natural but with a sound mind and a strong spirit, nothing is impossible! For everyone who was a part of the GOQii Trail Challenge 2019, this was one of the most heroic tales which unfolded before us! Shankar Sabadi didn’t just complete the challenge but served as a living, breathing example of what you do when faced with adversity.

How Was the Experience Compared to 2018?

Shankar Sabadi has been an active GOQii Player since 2017. Since undergoing a transformation and making a positive lifestyle change, he has always been looking for challenges to test his limits. This was the second time that Shankar Sabadi had participated in the GOQii Trail Challenge. Although he said it was painful, and you’re about to find out why, he said it was a refreshing experience when compared to last year.

As the trail challenge was a fairly fresh concept introduced in 2018, the participants, Shankar included, didn’t know what to expect other than the fact that they had to walk 50km. He didn’t expect the mix of hiking, trekking, inclines and declines. Despite not knowing what awaited him, he completed the Trail in 2018 within 12 hours.

This year, he trained himself well for the challenge ahead by climbing stairs every day, going for mountain walks and taking normal ones as well.

Shankar Sabadi at GOQii Trail Challenge 2019

The trail began and all our participants went on route. After a group of 8 people, including Shankar Sabadi and a pacer left the 1st checkpoint, they were following the ribbons used to mark the trail. However, they missed one and took a wrong route. The path was rocky, covered with dense bushes, which made Mr. Sabadi realize that they might have taken a different route. He suggested they should return to the last ribbon.

Few of them weren’t in favour of the decision as they had walked for at least half an hour. After much discussion, the pacer confirmed that they were on the wrong route and they all decided to retrace their steps. As Shankar Sabadi turned around, he tripped on some pebbles. He quickly realized that he won’t be able to avoid the fall and instead of taking the fall on his back and hurting it, he decided to fall on his hands.

He immediately realized that he had fractured his hand…

Never Back Down! Give Up On Giving Up!

He did experience pain and his fellow walkers helped him to his feet. They noticed his arm was swollen. He just kept his hand in his pocket and asked everyone to move ahead. He didn’t want anyone to be delayed on his account.

At the next checkpoint, he asked one of the support staff to spray some pain reliever on his arm. They said a doctor will be available only at the village and offered to take him there. Shankar Sabadi was not ready to give up. He was determined to complete the trail. He said that even though his hand is fractured and hurts, his legs are okay.  

Seeing his unshakeable determination, the staff made a makeshift splint out of a tree branch. One of the crepe bandages was used to tie the arm and another as a sling to rest the arm. With this arrangement, he continued on the trail. The walk was painful and the injury slowed him down but didn’t by any means stop him. He had to tread very carefully as he couldn’t use his arm to balance. All the pressure was on his left foot.

He is extremely thankful to all the fellow walkers who carried his bag, offered him water, supplements and energizers along the way (you know who you are and you guys are awesome!) Thanks to this, he only had to focus on walking.

After a lot of trials and tribulations, fighting through the pain and overcoming all of it, Shankar Sabadi completed the trail in 14 hours, just 2 hours behind his last year’s finishing time. Once the challenge was over and we reached Mumbai, he left for home and visited his doctor, who diagnosed that his arm is not broken but curved due to the impact of the fall. His arm was plastered for 3 weeks. You’ll be glad to know that he is recuperating at home and taking physiotherapy sessions to increase blood circulation to that arm and strengthen it.

We often hear of heroes and it is true, not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes teach us to push forward no matter what! Shankar Sabadi exemplifies what it means to #BeTheForce! He says that since he joined GOQii, he has given up on giving up.

Where else could you have heard such a valiant tale? Where else could you feel this energy? If you’re still having doubts, let this story be your motivation to participate in the next GOQii Trail Challenge and complete it.

We’ll be sharing many more heroic stories of participants who made #LifeWorthWalking through Healthy Reads as well as GOQii Play. Do you have an awesome GTC story to share? Write to us here.

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