Neeru Soni Interview
Q. You beautifully balance being a singer and a certified martial arts coach-how did this unique combination happen in your life? What inspired you to step into professional coaching?
My journey began in 2012 when I joined a gym in Delhi called Fitness First. That was where I was introduced to a program called Body Combat, a fitness program based on mixed martial arts, primarily boxing and various MMA movements. I instantly enjoyed it and became very regular with the classes. Over time, I developed a strong interest in it and thought that someday I would like to take the training course and become an instructor myself.
Interestingly, the same year-2012-also marked the beginning of another important journey in my life: learning Indian classical music in a structured way. I joined Gandharv Mahavidyalaya and began formal training in classical music. I truly enjoyed both of these pursuits and often thought to myself how wonderful it would be if I could someday build a life around these passions.
However, at that time I was still figuring out my career path. As a single mother, I was essentially starting life again and trying to decide what direction to take professionally. I had also just completed my graduation through the School of Open Learning at Delhi University. I was 30 years old when I finished my degree, and both my journeys in music and fitness had just begun.
Initially, I planned to pursue a more conventional career path. I prepared for NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) and eventually completed my Master’s in Fashion Management. After that, I worked in the fashion corporate sector with brands such as Adidas and Tommy Hilfiger.
However, in 2019, while working at Tommy Hilfiger in Bangalore, I realized that I was not truly happy in that career. I felt a strong pull toward music again. So I made a bold decision, I quit my job and returned to Delhi to start over.
The first thing I did after returning was apply for the Body Combat instructor training program. I successfully completed it and became a certified instructor. Soon after, I started teaching Body Combat at the same gym where I had first learned it. At the same time, I also began teaching music through an NGO in Delhi.
Since then, my journey has evolved organically. Today I teach singing, conduct Body Combat sessions at different gyms whenever possible, and perform music as well. All of these passions now coexist in my life.
Q. What does a typical day look like in the life of Neeru Soni- the singer and influencer? How do you manage riyaaz, content creation, and personal time?
My typical day revolves around the different aspects of my work and passions.
I begin my day with my morning riyaz, which is essential for me as a vocalist. I dedicate time every morning to practice and take care of my voice so that it remains in good shape. After that, I conduct online personal classes for my students. I usually teach one or two sessions a day. I focus only on personal, online lessons. Later in the day, I take care of regular life responsibilities. In the evening, I usually go to the gym for my workout. A couple of times a week I also conduct Body Combat sessions at different gyms.
In addition, I plan and create content for Instagram. Typically, two days of the week are dedicated to content creation, deciding what to shoot and what to post.
Evening time is again reserved for my own music practice, rehearsals, and preparation for performances. Riyaz is a daily commitment, and it remains one of the most important parts of my routine.
Q. Your bio says ‘स्वर ही ईश्वर है’-what does this line truly mean to you in your musical journey?
The phrase “Swar hi Ishwar hai” means everything to me because it is something I have personally experienced in my life.
Growing up, I believed strongly in God. However, after going through some difficult experiences early in life-such as getting married young, facing struggles in that marriage, and dealing with various hardships-I began to question my faith. I often wondered why, despite being a good person, I had to go through so many painful experiences. Over time, that made me feel bitter and I stopped believing in God. Years later, when I quit my corporate job and returned to Delhi, I was in a very difficult emotional space. I felt lost and was struggling to understand my identity and purpose. At the age of 38, I felt as though I still had not discovered what I was meant to do.
But when I rediscovered music around 2020, something changed. Through music, I experienced a sense of peace, grounding, and joy that I had been searching for all along. It was through this experience that I truly understood the meaning of “Swar hi Ishwar hai.”
Today, I believe that God exists-and for me, that God is music itself. The divine presence I once searched for, I now experience through the swar of music.
Q. Has your journey as a martial arts coach influenced your singing career in any way-mentally, emotionally, or physically?
Absolutely, it has helped immensely. I believe that everything in life is interconnected. Fitness, especially a discipline like martial arts, teaches you focus, discipline, control, and stability. In many ways, martial arts is also an art form, just like singing.
Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining mental, emotional, and physical balance. Practicing MMA-based fitness helped me rebuild my confidence and regain strength in all these areas before I could fully pursue my singing career.
I believe everything happened in alignment. Through martial arts fitness, I rediscovered my confidence and realized that it is never too late to pursue what you truly want. Age is just a number. If you are committed and disciplined enough, you can still achieve your dreams regardless of when you start.
Q. When did you realize your social media presence was growing strongly? Did you plan it strategically or did it happen organically?
I began my Instagram journey as a content creator in November 2021 when I posted my first reel. At that time, I did not know anyone in the music industry and had no clear idea how to build a career as a singer. Around 2020, Instagram saw a huge rise in creators, especially singers who were sharing their music and connecting with audiences online. I decided to give it a try as well.
However, I wanted to do something slightly different. Instead of just posting songs, I began sharing my journey and life lessons alongside my singing.
My biggest inspiration behind this was the fact that I started my musical journey quite late-around the age of 30. Music has brought me immense joy, and I felt that there might be many people who relate to my story-people who believe they are too late to start something new.
Through my page, I wanted to show that it is never too late and that age should never limit one’s dreams. While the results and love I received from people were completely organic and unexpected, the content itself was thoughtfully planned. I knew the kind of message I wanted to convey and the identity I wanted my page to represent.
My goal was simple: to inspire people to follow what they truly believe in.
Q. What were some initial struggles you faced as a singer, and how did you push through them?
The biggest initial struggle was finding the right teacher. When I decided to pursue music seriously, I was already 38 years old and had no connections in the music industry. I did not know which path to take or how to begin.
The second challenge was finding a guru who could guide me properly in Indian classical music and help me develop the nuances of singing.
However, I strongly believe that when you take the first courageous step, the universe begins to guide you. Once I quit my job and committed to my journey, the right people gradually started appearing in my life.
Different teachers came into my life at different stages, and each one contributed to my growth. I am deeply grateful to all of them for guiding me along the way.
Q. Many people want to become singers but don’t know where or how to start. What would be your honest advice to someone who wants to learn singing but feels confused or stuck?
Many people want to become singers but feel confused about where to begin. I went through the same phase. In our society, we often hear beliefs such as singing is a gift only a few people are born with or that it must begin in childhood. I personally believe these are limiting beliefs. If you truly have the desire to sing, that desire itself is meaningful. But desire alone is not enough-it must be accompanied by hard work, discipline, and determination.
The first step is to honestly ask yourself whether this is something you genuinely want or just a temporary interest. Once you are certain, the next step is to find proper guidance. A good teacher or guru is extremely important in music because they show you the correct path and help you grow in the right direction. I believe that when the student is ready, the teacher appears.
Most importantly, you must have strong willpower and mental strength. Take the first step, learn under a good teacher, and move forward one step at a time.
Q. You’ve already achieved so much across music and beyond -what’s next for you? Are there any new goals, dreams, or bigger visions that are driving you at this stage of your journey?
I actually disagree with the idea that I have already achieved a lot. For me, my journey has only just begun. After many years of searching, I have finally discovered something I truly love-music. I did not even realize how deeply I loved music until I found myself fully immersed in it. Right now, I feel like I am in the honeymoon phase of this discovery. I am still exploring music and learning about the many paths it offers. I have already started performing shows and teaching, but there are many dreams ahead. I want to create beginner-level music courses, release my own songs on different platforms, and eventually build a team that can help bring these ideas to life.
My bigger dream is to perform on large stages where people come specifically to hear me sing. I would also love to collaborate with great artists and musicians. These dreams continue to evolve as the journey progresses. I am grateful for everything that has happened so far and hopeful about what lies ahead.
Bio:
Neeru Soni is a singer, vocal coach, and fitness instructor known for blending music with strength and discipline. Popularly known online as the “Boxing Nightingale,” she shares her journey of classical music, singing, and MMA-based fitness with her audience. Through her performances, lessons, and content, she inspires people to pursue their passions regardless of age or circumstances. Her philosophy “Swar hi Ishwar hai” reflects her belief that music is a spiritual and transformative force in life.
Interviewed by: Gunjan Joshi
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