Shakir overcame personal and professional challenges to become a successful coach and sports nutritionist, specializing in swimming and gym training. With numerous accolades and a commitment to continuous learning, Shakir aims to inspire others and further his impact in the fitness world.

Shakir Khan has been a fitness professional for 20 years. He's a coach and a Sports Nutritionist, helping people from beginners to athletes reach their fitness goals. His specialties are swimming and gym training.

Shakir has also worked as a corporate trainer. In 2022, he was honored as India's Best Corporate Fitness Coach.

Sharing about his journey, Shakir says it hasn't been all smooth. He faced personal and professional challenges, and even had to switch careers due to financial difficulties. He left the fitness field to work in sales and marketing for 6-7 years, but his passion brought him back to the fitness realm. For the past 8-10 years, Shakir has been a freelance personal trainer. He works with swimmers, gym-goers, helps with general health, and even trains corporate groups.

Recounting his childhood struggles, Shakir says his childhood involved depression and anxiety, which weren't openly discussed at that time. As the eldest child in his family, he faced numerous responsibilities and high expectations from his father, leading to stress.

When asked about his inspiration for entering the fitness field, Shakir says that during his teenage years, he looked up to celebrities like Salman Khan and Sunil Shetty. He admired their physique and desired to have a body like theirs, complete with six-pack abs. Growing up in Nagpada, a slum area, he would sit outside the local gym since young kids like him weren't allowed inside. Watching people work out fueled his passion, as he dreamed of being like them one day.

Shakir’s fitness journey began at home when he was 13-14 years old. His father worked as a welder, so they had metal equipment like hammers. He used these tools to work out, doing pull-ups with whatever was available. He also had a monkey bar at home that he used for exercises.

Shakir believes he had a natural athletic ability, but he didn't have the chance to develop it further because he didn't have a mentor. Without guidance, his progress was slow, but he enjoyed what he was doing.

Shakir mentions that he had always been appreciated for his good height and personality. One day, while his father was scolding him, a passerby noticed and approached him. The person asked, "Would you like to work as a lifeguard at the swimming pool?" Shakir, feeling unsure of himself at the time, replied that he didn't even know how to swim, so how could he be a lifeguard? The person then offered to teach him swimming on the condition that Shakir would stay committed and work for him. Shakir agreed to the offer and started working with the person.

At the age of 16, Shakir began working as a swimming lifeguard. Reflecting on his life, he says he believes that time is the best healer. Initially, his job was only for four hours, leaving him time to learn swimming. Despite initially being a slow and poor learner, he eventually mastered swimming. Within six months, he transitioned from being a non-swimmer to becoming a swimming coach.

Within that same six-month period, Shakir participated in his first state-level life-saving swimming competition, where he won a silver medal. This achievement marked a significant turning point for him. His confidence soared, and he became more outgoing, connecting with people in new ways.

To further his career, Shakir pursued fitness courses, yoga certifications, and various other training programs. From being an anxious and depressed child, he transformed into a confident individual who now inspires and motivates others. He remains driven to learn new things and stay updated, then passing on that knowledge to others.

Inspired by his grandfather's belief that knowledge grows when shared, Shakir opened a YouTube channel five years ago. Initially, he shared fitness and workout videos, but later expanded to organizing events like open water swimming and sea swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic. He took people swimming in the sea, which led to him teaching triathletes and swimathon participants. This newfound focus on open water training earned him recognition as an open water and seawater trainer.

When asked about his role models, Shakir cites Prophet Muhammad whom he admires for teaching everyone about humanity and how to lead a fulfilling life.

Shakir shares two quotes that hold significance for him. The first is "Time is the best healer," emphasizing the power of time to mend wounds. The second is "Do not look back at your past and cry and regret. Whatever happened happened for good and whatever is happening is also happening for good," highlighting the importance of embracing the present and trusting in life.

He also mentions a song that has inspired him since his youth, "Zindagi har kadam ek nayi jung hai, jeet jayenge hum tu agar sang hai," which translates to "Life is a new battle at every step, we will win if we're together."

Sharing his achievements, Shakir states that he has participated in numerous life-saving swimming competitions at both the state and national levels. Although he had the chance to compete internationally, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing it. Additionally, he has excelled in open water swimming, notably ranking in the top 10 in an event called "Sunk Rock to Gateway Sea Swimming" 18 years ago, when open water swimming was not as popular.

He also competed in many swimming competitions, including freestyle and breaststroke events, during his 30s. Shakir proudly mentions that he won silver and gold medals in freestyle and breaststroke, showcasing his proficiency in these strokes. Despite his professional commitments, he actively participates in various competitions.

Shakir mentions that he will soon be turning 40 and plans to increase his participation in competitions, even considering international events.

His advice to young people is to pursue their interests with confidence and dedication. He emphasizes the importance of sports skills, believing they will be beneficial in the future.

For those who spend a lot of time in front of screens, Shakir suggests allocating at least one hour daily to physical activity. He stresses that regardless of age or gender, staying active is crucial for mental and physical well-being.