Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Fitness Competitions are often considered to be a male-dominated, do you think it’s difficult for a woman to make a mark in this field? Or have the times changed? Also, what would be your best tips for a woman thinking of choosing the fitness field as a career option?
Ms. Shweta Mehta:
Yes, it is male-dominated, because we still do not understand that bodybuilding is not about building muscle, it is about building your body, getting in good shape, that is also fitness. Like in my category, the bikini category to look good, you don’t have to look very shredded or put on a lot of muscle. This is the beginning, later on with time you have to work on your legs, your glutes, but it comes with time. Another reason is that lot of bodybuilders are from villages and its actually about the surrounding. So for someone whose in the industry, they know it’s not male-dominated, but for those around them they are because this is what is conveyed to them. Like when you buy a protein box, you will see a big bodybuilder standing next to it, so they think protein is only for men and if women will take it they will also become like them. Secondly, people do not accept girls with muscles, not many people do.
Women interested in this field must understand that making money in fitness industry is not easy. Very few competitions happen, prize money is very less as compared to the amount of money you put to be on stage. So you have to understand that if you’re doing it you’re doing for your passion.
For example, if you’re given certain amount of money, you’re given a gym, food, then you’ll definitely do something good. But that’s not the scenario, you have to put in the money, you have to put money in for your gym, training and everything to become what you want to do. That’s the difficult part and you should be aware of it.
Struggling is part of fitness in India, you have to struggle to be there. As a career there are many ways to get into fitness, you can be a good gym instructor or a personal trainer for which you have to study of course. But at the same time, I would say if you want to then you should do that.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What are the 5 things that are an absolute must in your gym bag?
Ms. Shweta Mehta:
Proteins, Amino acids, music player, good deodorants and hand sanitizer.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You became the MTV Roadies Rising Winner 2017. Tell us about your journey on the show. Also, we would like to know about a memorable moment that is most dear to your heart, in the show?
Ms. Shweta Mehta:
You are put in a place where there are 20 people who think they are the best, from different parts of the country. Thousands of people come and, from them 20 people are selected who are definitely the best. So initially I gave up. Because I thought I cannot fight with these kids. But in Roadies you have to know that, how to take away things.
So in the beginning I didn’t know how to be in front of the camera and I felt that I am not being seen and judges had not noticed me so far, so I realized that if I want to be seen it has to come from my task performance. So I started asking for my tasks from Neha, that I want to do it. I had to convince her to send me with the promise that I will win the task.
So my journey actually started after 12-13 days, after 15 days, I decided that I’m not giving up and I started working towards it. Finally I won the show which is a very big thing. The journey is difficult, you have to prove yourself in the tasks, you have to prove yourself to the judges, in everything since it’s a 24 x 7 reality show.
The biggest moment was the semi-finale, it was a very difficult task and it was supposed to be done in 25 minutes. Everybody thought I could not do it, I don’t know how they forgot that I do pull-ups and I’m an engineer. The task was all about your upper body strength and maths. I started chanting to God and I actually completely the task in 2 minutes, creating history in Roadies by becoming the best performer in Roadies history. That was the best moment because in the most difficult task I gave the best performance.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With an audience of over 269k followers on your Instagram account @theshwetamehta you’re a social media sensation and a leading fitness star. How does it feel that you are able to inspire and influence the healthy lifestyle of so many individuals?
Ms. Shweta Mehta:
Firstly I do not promote health or fitness, I promote dreams. Go dream and fulfil your dreams since you’ve got only one life.
Secondly I feel good about it that people follow and get inspired, but I take it as a responsibility. I never post anything that I am not connected with; I don’t do any campaigns just for money, so I am very genuine with my fans and followers. Because they actually follow me, there are so many girls who message me and I actually feel like taking care of them.
One of the best compliments that I got was in Bangalore, in a party, few girls came to me, they were from Haryana, and they said that they are in Bangalore just because of me, their parents had sent them just because of me, after winning the show. It was very touching and it meant a lot. So I try not to do anything which may hurt people.