NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Sumer, summer, summertime is here. Plans for vacations are being made and the pressure is on for some people to reach those fitness goals. On the flip side some of us see the summer as a starting point and are searching for inspiration and a gameplan for reaching our goals. With our featured athlete this month I have no doubt you will get that spark you need to get started and sprint to the finish line. Coming to us from Vancouver, British Columbia we get to know Pallavi Shah!
Joe Cardoso: What got you into a gym in the first place?
Pallavi Shah: My journey into the gym/fitness started at home with my dad. He has always been a big fitness enthusiast, and I remember watching him head out for his workouts every morning at 5:30 AM (still does). His dedication was inspiring, and it wasn’t long before my younger brother caught the bug too and started joining him.
In school, I was really into athletics and sports, so staying active was second nature to me. But once I hit my 20s, life got in the way. It wasn’t until 2017 that I found my way back into training with outdoor group fitness & functional training, and it was a game-changer for me. The camaraderie and challenge to build my way up kept things interesting and helped me build a solid fitness foundation.
By 2021, I felt ready to take things up a notch (with a nudge from my brother), so I finally stepped into a gym. It was a whole new world, and I quickly fell in love with lifting weights. There’s something incredibly satisfying about challenging yourself with heavier lifts and seeing your progress over time. The gym became more than just a place to work out; it turned into a passion.
So, what got me into the gym in the first place was a combination of family influence, a love for sports, and a rediscovery of my passion for fitness. And now, it’s a big part of who I am.
JC: How did you push through those first few hard months?
PS: Honestly, I loved it. The whole routine of waking up early to get my workout done first thing in the day was invigorating. There was something about starting my day with a burst of energy and accomplishment that made me look forward to it every morning. Learning new exercises, seeing my progress, and getting stronger each week made me want it even more.
For me, the tough bit initially was not going too hard too fast—which, of course, I did. I was so enthusiastic and motivated that I often pushed myself to the limit, which led to some burnout and minor injuries. But, you train and learn, right? I figured out the importance of pacing myself, listening to my body, and incorporating rest days into my routine. It was all part of the process.
JC: What does a normal week look like for you and training?
PS: My whole week revolves around my training—I’m sure many people can relate to this. haha! I hit the gym for 4-5 weightlifting sessions, which includes one day dedicated to play time where I work on skills and flexibility. Pull-ups have been an ongoing obsession of mine, and I’m proud to say I can do a strong 9 per set now. 10 and we’ll celebrate loud!
I also make sure to fit in one jump rope session each week, though I really need to make more time for this. Besides that, I mix things up with a day of tennis and some boxing, and I try to fit in a walk almost every day. My rest day includes that long walk, naps and sauna time.
JC: Something you don’t see every day, how did jumping rope become a part of your routine?
PS: Okay, EVERYONE needs to start jumping rope, it’s so much fun. hehe. During the 2020 lockdown, my family and I would spend our evenings on the terrace/patio having skipping battles to see who could do the fastest 100 jumps. Before I knew it, I was playing music and trying to figure out some jump rope moves. Instagram was fantastic for this—I found tons of jump rope enthusiasts posting their routines and tricks. Their creativity inspired me to try and learn new moves.
Jumping rope to music, dancing, and grooving became the best cardio for my heart and soul. and it’s done wonders for my coordination, agility, balance and endurance.
JC: You love to travel. How did that become one of your passions?
PS: I caught the travel bug early, and it’s only gotten stronger over the years. Exploring new places, meeting people, diving into different cultures, and of course, tasting amazing food. hehe.. Travelling has been the ultimate inspiration for me as a creative person. Every new place brings fresh ideas and perspectives that fuel my creativity.
From solo traveling China to trekking to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas, diving in the Maldives to dining in the desert in Jordan under a sky full of stars, eating my way through Korea and trying every bold flavor I could find to cenote hopping in Mexico, sunset chasing in Hawaii to exploring museums in Rome—I’ve been to 22 countries so far, and I can’t wait to add more stamps to my passport.
JC: Congratulations on being a business owner! How did it all start being a social media consultant?
PS: Yesss! Thank you, It’s been 4.5 years now. After spending 10 years in corporate roles such as Head of Marketing and Creative Director, it led me to take the leap into entrepreneurship by starting my own boutique company. Pshah Social Media Consultants specializes in social media management, business growth strategies, and personalized coaching to enhance brands’ online presence.
From the outset, I aimed to offer more than just services; I wanted to empower individuals and businesses to build their own successful brands. It’s been incredible working with clients across India, Dubai, North America, and Canada, spanning diverse industries and goals. The variety keeps every day exciting, and I cherish the creative freedom that comes with helping clients achieve their visions.
What I love most about my work is the people I collaborate with—their enthusiasm and unique challenges inspire me daily. It’s fulfilling to see their brands flourish through our strategic guidance and personalized approach. I’m excited about the future as we continue to grow and innovate together.
JC: What do you provide for clients?
PS: We’re all about helping individuals and business owners crush it on Instagram. Think of us as your go-to Social Media BFF! From page management to coaching sessions tailored to boost your Instagram presence and grow your business. From nailing down killer strategies and spicing up your content to brainstorming your next big idea, we’ve got you covered.
Our packages are designed to fit your needs perfectly. With a background in Marketing and branding, we excel in crafting and executing top-notch Instagram strategies. Whether it’s sparking engagement through organic posts or diving into paid campaigns, we know how to make your brand shine.
With a range of customizable packages our approach emphasizes impactful content creation, powerful storytelling, and delivering measurable results, ensuring a strong track record of success with diverse clients around the world.
JC: Representation matters! What does it mean to you to be a role model for other women who look like you?
PS: Being a role model for other women may be a bold claim, but Knowing I can make a difference to other ladies out there by being true to myself, is pretty awesome. For me, all this is about showing that we can achieve whatever we set our minds to, whether it’s in our careers, hobbies, health, fitness or just living our best lives. I want to inspire other women to go after their goals fiercely and confidently.
JC: Don’t give it all away but any cool collaborations or trips planned for the summer?
PS: Just got back from some amazing travel—Vegas, Antelope Canyon, Amsterdam, Rome, and London—feeling fueled up for an exciting summer here in Vancouver (before I’m off again)! Work and training are on the agenda, along with hiking and lake dives. Lots of cool stuff lined up and some exciting collaborations too. Follow me on @palllavishah for the scoop—daily workouts, and all the fun in between.
JC: If you could take ONE thing away from social media, what would it be and why?
PS: If I had the power to pluck just one thing from the social media universe, I’d probably bid farewell to the endless scroll. You know, that vortex where you start with a simple scroll and before you know it, hours have vanished into the digital ether? It’s like falling down a rabbit hole without the Wonderland perks! I do it too sometimes in the name of work haha.
Imagine all the time we’d gain back for real-world adventures or maybe even just catching up on sleep. Plus, all the extra energy we’d have for pondering life’s important questions, like why socks disappear in the dryer instead of comparison etc etc.
JC: Who is Pallavi Shah?
PS: Pallavi Shah is all about living her best life, one sunny day at a time. Give her good food, some time in the gym, and a catchy tune, and you’ve got her recipe for happiness. Creativity is where she shines, effortlessly and confidently blending work with her love for making things happen. Whether it’s dancing to the beat or diving into a new project, she’s all about keeping the energy high and the vibes positive. It’s always the little things
I want to thank Pallvi for sharing her journey so far with us, and also taking the time out of her busy schedule. To keep up with what she is doing make sure to follow her on socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palllavishah?igsh=cWh0ZGY3MDQyN2M4
Have a great start to the summer, stay hydrated and as we always say “where will the spotlight shine next?” You never know it could be you.
