Certified as a fitness trainer, Payal has achieved numerous medals and podium finishes. Since co-founding a company, she has made substantial impacts in corporate wellness programs as well. Her diverse career also includes teaching communication, running a children's boutique, and working as a scriptwriter and assistant director.

Payal Ashar wears many hats—fitness trainer, corporate trainer, daughter, mother, and friend. While society sees her in these roles, she believes there’s much more to her story.

She says that her fitness journey began 6-7 years ago, during a difficult separation from her husband. Depressed and gaining weight, she started running and noticed not only physical but also mental health benefits. This realization led her to delve deeper into fitness, obtain certifications, and become a fitness trainer.

As a fitness trainer, Payal emphasizes holistic wellness, including physical, mental, and emotional fitness. She defines mental fitness as the ability to think clearly and make efficient decisions, and emotional fitness as the capacity to identify, feel, and express a range of emotions without judgment or blame.

Her mission as a fitness trainer is to spread happiness among women. She believes women often prioritize their family's happiness over their own, and it was not until she turned 40 that she realized the importance of prioritizing her own happiness. Now, she focuses on helping people understand themselves, process their emotions, and find happiness.

Payal shares that she offers personalized training because she believes unfit individuals often lack discipline or suffer from depression. One-on-one training allows her to understand her clients deeply and provide tailored guidance.

She says that her corporate training journey started when she met a girl with a similar fitness journey and similar goals of helping women find happiness. Together, they founded "The Game Plan," a company that provides fitness training and wellness programs to corporations. Their goal is to make a significant impact in the corporate world. She also wishes to employ more women in her company to help them gain financial independence and confidence.

Born in India, Payal spent 15 years in Muscat, Oman. She later moved to Mumbai, completed her graduation, an MBA with a specialisation in HR, and a course in home science. Initially, she taught communication for five years, then shifted to designing kids' clothes, running a boutique by the name of My Little Piggy  for nine years.

Then, life’s challenges led her to scriptwriting and assistant directing, which she did for 5-6 years before entering the fitness world. She continues to write scripts, direct, and take boutique orders for children.

Today, Payal says that she participates in races and marathons, finding peace through running. She credits running for enabling her to handle multiple roles, including corporate training.

Payal advocates for normalizing diverse interests and excelling in various fields if it brings happiness. She rejects the notion of being good at only one thing.

She says that she draws inspiration from athletes who succeed despite limited resources and her house help, who remains hopeful despite hardships. These individuals teach her the importance of hope and perseverance.

Payal candidly shares the challenging phase in her life when everything seemed to be falling apart. She faced personal turmoil during her separation when her daughter was just seven years old, coupled with professional setbacks. This period was marked by sadness and depression, clouding her vision of the future.

Despite her struggles, Payal found the courage to start running. Initially, it was a way to cope with her sadness, but soon, running became a source of peace and bliss. She began running daily, seeking that same dose of happiness. This led her to participate in marathons and races.

Payal vividly recalls standing at the starting line of a race, memories of her childhood as a runner flooding back. She says that the cheers from the crowd brought a rush of happy and excited emotions. Completing her first 10 km race and earning a medal was a pivotal moment, reigniting her childhood dream.

Her journey from running 10 km to 21 km and eventually 42 km marathons seemed impossible at first. During her first 42 km race, she says that she just focused on finishing without injury and with a smile. Completing it in 4 hours was a fantastic achievement, even more so when she learned it was an impressive time.

Payal has earned many medals and podiums, but she considers achieving her dreams as the greatest accomplishment. She emphasizes the importance of dreaming big and working hard to realize those dreams. Now, she continues to dream and is determined to achieve her goals.

She advises aspiring fitness trainers and coaches to understand that the profession, while glamorous, requires personal fitness and empathy. It's crucial to comprehend why a trainee struggles with fitness to provide effective guidance. A successful trainer should offer comprehensive physical, mental, and emotional fitness strategies to ensure long-term success for their clients.

Payal urges the citizens of India to stop judging others and respect everyone’s life choices. She believes that if you cannot support someone’s journey, at least refrain from judging them. Promoting happiness and spreading positivity is her heartfelt message.