Aryan Chhabra - The Initial Learning Could Be Slightly Challenging but Once You Get Past That, It Is One of the Best Hobbies (Indian National Champion of 3x3 Rubik's Cube of 2023)

From there, I have coached over 70 students across the globe to learn how to solve a cube as well as helped them get faster at the sport too.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

My name is Aryan Chhabra and I am 21 years old. I was born and brought up in New Delhi, and I am currently in my final semester of engineering in Information Technology at Amity University, Noida. I started solving Rubik’s cubes back in 2015 and it has been my passion ever since.

2. When did you first decide that you wanted to speedcubing coach and how did you start?

I never actually decided to become a coach, it just happened. I was offered to teach kids at an online platform known as ‘XOOG’. After teaching a few students there, I started giving professional coaching at Cubelelo, which is one of the biggest puzzle stores in India. From there, I have coached over 70 students across the globe to learn how to solve a cube as well as helped them get faster at the sport too.

3. Is it a financially sustainable career? 

To answer this question, I would say that one will have to stay at the top of their game and be the best for as long as possible. But to be realistic, it is definitely hard to sustain financially with only Rubik’s cube coaching, and it will work as a side/part-time thing in the long run, at least for me.

4. How and where do you find inspiration to churn out this? 

Well, the inspiration honestly comes from within. Watching yourself getting better and better, in this case, getting faster and faster times at solving the cube is very self-inspiring. As far as inspiration for coaching goes, I love helping people in whatever way I can and establishing a genuine bond with them, whilst sharing the same interests of solving Rubik’s cubes and sharing the knowledge that I’ve gained throughout the years is something I absolutely love to do.

5. What does your typical day look like?

My typical day is waking up at around 9 in the morning, and then heading to college by 11. I usually come back home at around 4 PM from college, after which I eat something and go to the gym by 6. I love lifting weights so its a very important and possibly my favorite part of the day. I come back home by 8/8:30 PM, have dinner, and spend time with my family, especially with my dog! I usually go to bed pretty late, at around 1/2 AM, and I practice solving Rubik’s cube an hour before I sleep.

6. What piece of advice would you like to people who want to pursue this in the future?

I would advise everyone to get their hands on a Rubik’s cube and try to learn either by watching YouTube videos or taking help from someone who already knows how to solve one (could be a coach too). The initial learning could be slightly challenging but once you get past that, it is one of the best hobbies you’ll have learned.

Bio

This is Aryan Chhabra. He is the Indian national champion of 3x3 Rubik's Cube in 2023.

Interviewed by - Ashmeet Kaur

Edited by- Arunangshu Chatterjee