Shreya delivers a deadly punch in the boxing ring

Shreya Karia is the founder of SHK Consulting.File Photo | Pool

Shreya Karia pulls no punches. In fact, when she speaks, she gets the alchemy of boxing great Muhammad Ali’s Razmataz that underlies “Iron” Mike Tyson’s ferocious tenacity.

She has always been a promising prospect, but the road from promise to promised land must overcome all obstacles to enter.

Overcome, she did — if her talk of self-confidence struggles passes by. In 2012, she found a marble and quit her formal job to found SHK Consulting. SHK Consulting includes Fairmont Hotels, French beverage company Pernod Ricard, Cotters Safari Camp, Spanish fashion retailer Mango, Frank Knight’s Annual Wealth Report and Superbrands.

Eight years later, she was garnering accolades, including 2020 African Women Leader.

On the one hand, she’s a workaholic, and on the other, she’s a fitness junkie (if you have English at your disposal).

When I’m not working, I either teach spin classes or do boxing. Boxing taught her how to dodge, or at least withstand, life’s power-packed punches.

Perhaps it’s more accurate to say she understands everything, moving with the fearless precision of boxing-gloved highwire artist Philippe Petite.

On the contrary, she says; She just learned to roll with her punches. We are at her Artcaffé Gastro Bar, her select clients. There, atmosphere complements her chatpa. Like their cocktails, she packs quite a punch, too.

What’s the story behind your fitness journey?

Fitness was instilled in me since childhood by my parents. He learns faster when he is young than when he is old and teaches himself. There is also a bit of vanity in fitness because everyone works out to look good and feel great. For me, it’s primarily an outlet for stress at work and a problem-solving tool.

why boxing?

Boxing and spinning can help you navigate life. To an outsider it looks like people are beating each other, but to an insider it’s a game of strategy and maneuver.

If you try to box while angry, nothing will come of it. But it’s when you’re calm that the hardest punches land. In that way life imitates art and boxing becomes a mirror of life.

I love spins because it makes me feel good. Showing up on days when you don’t want to or have to go builds resilience. And that’s how you get through life.

How often do you work out?

i teach [spin class] once a week because [work] commitment. But for myself, I exercise religiously at least 6-7 times a week, some days he works out twice: 60 minutes of boxing and he’s 45 minutes of spinning.

What does fitness mean to you?

Resilience. And I believe that I can do anything. I use fitness as a coping mechanism. When I doubted myself, it was the only thing that held me steady.

Ahaha. Please tell us about that period.

Years ago, my self-belief was grazing the ground. I never did do myself a favor. But I’m not the kind of person who depends on someone to make me feel better.

I decided to commit to working out, and the more I do, the better I feel. But more importantly, it gave me the drive to back myself up.

Shreya Karia is the founder of SHK Consulting.File Photo | Pool

You’re busy, but where’s the time to balance all those plates?

It may sound clichéd, but if you really want to do something, you can find the time. How many of you find time for social media despite your busy schedule? Can you trade off a few minutes for a workout? Anything is possible once you decide what’s important to you.

what is important to you

the work. The pain of regret is far greater than the pain of work.

You look very disciplined. what are you struggling with?

procrastinate. We’ve got a list of Kingdoms to come—it’s all in print! Oh, I don’t have the words to say no to dessert. I eat clean—I’m vegan—but dessert has my number.

What soundtrack is playing during your workout?

It takes me a week to curate a playlist, depending on my mood. Music can cheer you up, deflate you, and motivate you. Electro instruments and energetic music for an early morning workout. Boxing has always been hip hop. For spins, it’s vibes and global beats.

When you think of weekends, what food comes to mind?

That would be my home cooked meal. I love to bake bread, but sadly there is a knack for the job that gets in the way. Oh, we’ve all talked about if there’s anything important to you, but baking needs time!

What’s the last thing you do on the weekend before the lights go out?

Listen to podcasts. Sports podcasts, especially tennis and (global) politics podcasts.

Weekend hacks most people don’t know about

Saturday morning should start with a really good workout. Not emails or chores, no, it just works. Later, you can schedule a social catch-up his workout, or even go to Karla (forest) for an evening walk, bike ride, and more.

It’s a shared experience that doesn’t involve getting drunk. A great way to get outside. You never know what someone is going through.

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