Jas Kaur - We Must Remember That Our Bodies Are Our Permanent Homes and Treat Them as Such

To me, health and fitness mean more than just looking good. I look at fitness holistically, the physical, emotional and mental aspects. 

1. Tell us more about yourself and your profession.

My name is Jas Kaur (@fit.kaur). I grew up as the eldest of three kids to an immigrant family in Sydney. I was shy and I worked hard, studied hard and kept to myself. I got the top female scores in my final year at high school, I finished my Bachelors degree with a distinction HD average and landed a corporate job in a lucrative industry.

I sound great on paper, right? I sound like someone who had their “sh*t together”. But there was always something missing. I didn’t feel happy. I was in a constant internal battle.

I disliked my line of work and slowly began to dislike my life because of it. I felt “suffocated” in my own life. I knew a change needed to happen but I was scared to let others down. I couldn’t sleep and started to withdraw from friends and family until I finally quit my job.

I found peace in exercise.

I signed up to the gym and had a couple of sessions with a personal trainer. I started to train once a week, twice a week and then slowly increased to five to six times a week. I became addicted! I was shocked that something so simple could make me feel so much better. 

Amazingly, there was something very therapeutic about lifting heavy sh*t and putting it back down. Training helped me not just develop physical but also mental strength. It gave me more direction and clarity. I slowly started to discover the real me.

I realised that I wasn't who everyone wanted me to be. I began my personal evolution. At the same time I realised: If I could go from feeling like crap to feeling so good with something so simple, this had to work for other people, too. Over the next year, I moulded my career around my love for health and fitness and became a fully qualified Personal Trainer.

Of course, I still had doubts initially. Was I wasting my education? What would other people think? Was I gonna fall flat on my face? The initial doubts vanished eventually as I built a career in fitness and started to see positive changes in the lives of my clients. I learned to switch off the noise and focus on my own journey.

I finally broke free from my cage.

Fast forward three years, I took a 180. I broke out from "my cage" and spread my wings to fly high and free. Today, I am no longer living a double life between who other people want me to be and who I really am. I stood up against societal oppression and expectations. I dropped the guilt and shame of putting myself and my own happiness first. I finally am my true authentic self.

As a personal trainer, I am grateful that each day, both online and in person, I can help other people break free from their cages and transform physically and mentally. For me, personal training is my way of performing the Sikh concept of Seva, the selfless service. 

2. What is your fitness mantra?

To me, health and fitness mean more than just looking good. I look at fitness holistically, the physical, emotional and mental aspects.


3. What are some of the major misconceptions about diets and exercises? 

There is many. The top three misconceptions I often come across include: - You need to severely restrict your diet to achieve your goals

• You must train everyday to see results
• Lots of cardio is the only way to lose fat 

4. How can one maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Focus on balance and doing things you actually enjoy. There is no point committing to something if you can’t picture yourself doing 3 months, 1 year or even 5 years down the track. For something to become a lifestyle it must be sustainable, so find enjoyment in the way you move your body and move it often!


5. How can one build a successful career in your field?

Some tips include:

• Get a fitness certification from a reputable service provider first. This will give you a good base knowledge that you can build upon over the years. Get as much experience as possible working with clients with different goals and fitness levels.
• Constantly update your knowledge to make sure you’re up to date and evolving as a personal trainer 
• Harness the power of social media to showcase your business offerings - Get yourself a mentor if you’re not sure where to begin or need advice. - Remind yourself that looking after someone's health is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Always go above and beyond to help your clients :) 

6. What is one piece of advice you would like to give someone who wishes to lose weight?

Focus on small habit related changes and have someone keep you accountable. Some example of goals can include: train three times this week, go for two walks, cook my meals at home on the weekend etc. If someone is keeping you accountable to these goals, you’ll be more likely to achieve them! 


7. How do diets and exercise contribute to overall well being and happiness? 

Our body systems are interconnected. The food we eat and the actions we take can impact not just our physical health but also our emotional and mental wellbeing. When you move, the body releases endorphins. And when you eat well, you’re giving your mind and body “good fuel” to function on. We must remember that our bodies are our our permanent homes and treat them as such. 

- Interviewed by - Christina Monachan