Shobanth’s 8-Month Journey from Rock Bottom to Ripped (Photos: Shobanth S.)
For 13 years, Shobanth S. never felt confident in his own body, painfully aware of his size, exhausted by chronic digestive issues, and quietly disappearing behind camera lenses and oversized T-shirts. For him, mirror was not a friend; it was a brutal truthteller. And the gym? Well, that was more of a subscription service than a lifestyle.
But all of that changed on 15 August 2024, with a conversation. Shobanth, 30, who works in US healthcare and IT, was not new to the gym scene. But real consistency? That remained absent. His knee pain determined every decision, workouts were chosen more out of hope than science, and following fad diets left him confused and constipated.
His coach and guide, Aslam, at Fittr did the magic, according to Shobanth. “I never had a plan that actually made sense to my body,” he says. “For once, I was not guessing. I had a roadmap.” He joined TC22, a transformation programme, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Numbers Only Tell Half The Story
Starting at 95kg, Shobanth now weighs a lean 63.5kg with an impressive 8.5 percent body fat.
Once the guy who could not stand for 15 minutes without pain, now clocks in midnight cardio sessions. Working night shifts didn’t stop him; neither did the injuries, cravings, or the emotional rollercoaster of seeing slow progress in the early days. “Motivation was unreliable,” he says. “So I stopped waiting for it. I built habits instead.”
With a habit tracker and an accountability system, he committed to five strength training sessions a week, daily step goals, and smart, flexible nutrition. No starvation, no smoothies, and definitely no stress eating. His meals were practical, satisfying, and even included the occasional treat—because what is life without a little biryani now and then?
The Real Setbacks
Of course, the journey had setbacks. Fatigue, mental blocks, and self-doubt came knocking often. But Shobanth did not give up; he was tired of hiding. “The battle was never really with food or exercise. It was with my mindset.”
The Transformation
And now? He is the guy in the photos. The one stepping onto a stage for a physique shoot. The one studying for an INFS diploma to help others do the same.
The Lesson
Do not chase gimmicks. Do not rely on “starting Monday.” Find someone who knows what they are doing, commit to the boring basics, and keep showing up, especially when you do not feel like it. Shobanth sums it up perfectly: “This was not just weight loss. This was me taking my life back. And the best part? I am just getting started.”
