Shanthi Krishnan, a chartered accountant turned fitness coach, has transformed her life and the lives of many children and adults through sports. After relocating to Singapore and facing health challenges due to asthma, she embraced swimming and running, eventually completing multiple races, including half marathons. Through her  coaching company, she focuses on children's athletic training while also serving adults.

Shanthi Krishnan is a Fitness Trainer and Marathon Coach in Bangalore. Through her company Initiate Athletes, she conducts online and offline fitness and marathon training classes.

Shanthi Krishnan proudly shares that she has completed her first half marathon and has since improved her personal best to one hour and 48 minutes. She has also earned podium finishes in 10Km races, half marathons, and marathons, even completing a running challenge across India.

She grew up in a family that placed a strong emphasis on the importance of education, instilling in her a deep appreciation for knowledge and learning.

Before starting her journey in fitness, she established herself as a Chartered Accountant, a profession she adopted a decade ago. During her corporate career, she was mindful of her health and made it a point to walk to and from her office, showcasing a mindset she has for fitness and well-being.

In 2010, her husband accepted a job offer in Singapore, which led her to leave her accounting job and relocate to a new country. However, after settling into her life in Singapore, she began experiencing health issues. Six months after moving there, she was diagnosed with asthma. This diagnosis prompted her to carry an inhaler everywhere—placing it beside her bed, in the bathroom, in her car, and in her bags—ensuring she always had it on hand for emergencies. There were times she would forget her inhaler, leading to hospitalization two- three times.

After her asthma diagnosis, Shanthi Krishnan sought a way to improve her health and quality of life. Following her doctor's advice, she began to strengthen her lungs through physical activity, specifically by incorporating swimming and running into her routine.

She took up swimming, which was popular in Singapore, a city where fitness activities are integrated into daily life and culture. The vibrant fitness atmosphere there inspired her to also start running, often combining it with walking. During her early days of running, she always carried her inhaler with her, as she still faced challenges with her asthma. Over time, through consistent effort and dedication, her lungs got stronger. This progress enabled her to participate in various races, including completing a 5Km run, a 10Km run, and eventually a half marathon of 21 kilometers in Singapore in a commendable time of 3 hours and 1 minute.

Once her family returned to India, Shanthi’s passion for fitness grew even more. Her daughter, who had trained as an athlete in Singapore, became an additional source of motivation. Shanthi would accompany her to training sessions where she gained valuable insights from experienced coaches. Inspired by this experience, Shanthi decided to pursue fitness full time.

Krishnan began her journey as a fitness coach with a focus on teaching fundamental athletic skills to a group of 40 children. She emphasized developing key areas such as agility, balance, coordination, mobility, strength, and speed. Over time, her passion and dedication led her to establish her own company- ‘Initiate Athletes’  aimed at training children in athletics. Since its inception, she has successfully trained up to 500 students, fostering a love for fitness among young athletes.

The company initially focused on child athletes, and as her students participated in various school competitions, including 5Km and 10Km races, Shanthi recognized the need for further professional development. She pursued and obtained certifications in Children's Physical Training, Yoga Training, and Animal Flow Instructor, enhancing her expertise and ability to cater to her young clients. She trains children starting from the age of four, continuing to emphasize the six fundamental skills and incorporating yoga into her curriculum.

In addition to her work with children, Shanthi has expanded her coaching to include adult training programs. She also has a center in Bangalore dedicated to helping adults become better runners and provides online strength training sessions to clients looking to build muscle and improve their overall fitness.

Her coaching approach has resonated with a diverse audience, allowing her to reach a wide population across different demographics and fitness levels. Her success in online training has largely been driven by word-of-mouth marketing, attracting clients from places such as Sweden, Singapore, Australia, and India.

For those interested in her training services, Shanthi Krishnan actively engages with potential clients through her Instagram handle, @barefoot_coach_Shanthi Kaushik, where anyone can directly message her to inquire about training opportunities.

She was born and raised in Pune, where she completed her education before pursuing a career in Chartered Accountancy. Academically qualified, she worked for about ten years in various corporate roles. However, for the past eight years, she has devoted herself fully to the fitness field as a coach.

When it comes to role models, Shanthi Krishnan says she draws immense inspiration from her mother, who passed away when Shanthi was just 23 years old. Despite facing the loss at a young age, she reflects on her mother's incredible strength and resilience. Her mother’s unwavering spirit despite being  handicapped serves as a motivational anchor for Shanthi, reminding her to persevere through life’s challenges. Shanthi also finds motivation in her interactions with children and other coaches, particularly one named Dipa, who played a pivotal role during her training. Additionally, her husband and daughter, Khushi, are crucial sources of inspiration. Khushi's determination to learn and her focused approach towards life’s goals deeply motivate Shanthi, instilling in her a hunger for learning as well. From her husband, Shanthi has cultivated a similar hunger for learning, encouraging a mindset of continuous improvement and exploration.

Music also plays a part in Shanthi’s motivation. A song from the movie "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" teaches her the importance of hard work, irrespective of the outcomes. The mantra, “कर्म करते रहो” (keep doing your work), resonates with her as a guiding principle in her life.

Recounting her struggles, she says she faces health challenges. As a woman, she has encountered societal issues and she also had to face harassment during early morning runs when one morning someone pushed her from behind. These experiences have shaped her desire to create a safer environment for women in sports. She is happy that her success has been supported by her understanding family and community.

Shanthi Krishnan emphasizes how sports have transformed her life. Now, she carries her inhaler only as a precaution, and she has to use the inhaler only during three weeks a year due to weather conditions and she participates in running and swimming without struggle. Being an athlete has enhanced her mental and physical fitness, affirming her belief in the resilience that sports foster.

Through her journey, Krishnan illustrates that sports have not only improved her health but also contributed to her overall sense of mental awareness and well-being.

Shanthi Krishnan passionately urges fellow marathon runners and athletes to embrace the significance of hard work on their journey to success, whether it's short-term or long-term. She emphasizes that there are no shortcuts in fitness and that being healthy and fit is not just a destination, but a continuous journey that requires consistent effort. Her motto is to commit to training at least three times a week.

For new runners preparing for a marathon, she stresses the importance of progressive effort and regular running. Since running is a repetitive sport, she encourages beginners to seek guidance from experts to prevent injuries and to fully enjoy the journey of becoming a better runner. Shanthi acknowledges that running can be an addictive sport, as your body adapts, the satisfaction grows. She advises runners to listen to their coaches, especially if they recommend taking rest days to ensure better future performance.

For those just starting out, she recommends giving time to the sport, whether preparing for a half marathon, full marathon, or even an ultra-marathon. Consistency is key, and she suggests incorporating strength training alongside running to build a well-rounded fitness regimen.

Additionally, Shanthi Krishnan has a powerful message for the citizens of India: don't wait for something to motivate you. She emphasizes the importance of educating children about fitness from a young age. Introducing children to sports early not only benefits their physical health but also fosters a love for fitness that can last a lifetime. She urges all citizens to dedicate at least 20 minutes a day to physical activity, whether it be jogging, running, or any other form of exercise. Ultimately, she encourages everyone to find a passion in life that aligns with their fitness goals.