1. Hi Puja! You have always been known for being such an inspiration to many people through your journey, as a mum of 3, a fitness instructor, a health coach and a very spiritual person. Where did this journey...
1. Hi Puja! You have always been known for being such an inspiration to many people through your journey, as a mum of 3, a fitness instructor, a health coach and a very spiritual person. Where did this journey begin?
Yes, I have always really been into my health and I have always believed in creating a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family; I feel like its embedded into my DNA. That is why I decided to work towards becoming a health coach so I can help and share these health benefits with others. Also, from a very young age God, religion and faith have always been a very big part of my daily life and I truly believe that having faith in God and the Universe has helped me with making many of my big decisions in life.
2. Your story from running a successful Fitness studio to becoming a health Coach, and then getting diagnosed with Cancer is quite a journey. For those who don’t know you please tell us about your business and what was the story behind its inception.
Burn Body is just over 5 years old. My fitness journey started in vitro, my mum is a Yoga teacher so I had always been very keen on exercise and well being. After having had twins, and seeing the changes to my body I knew I needed to get back into shape so I began working out and looking after my diet very seriously and was loving the results, but most of all I was loving the way I felt.
For me the idea of running my own fitness studio sprung from that. I wanted to be able to give back in a way that no one else did. Our main theme at Burn Body is to create that “feel good factor”. I have never promised someone that they will lose X amount of weight or gain a six pack. What I and my business partner thrive on is making sure our clients feel better about themselves after every single class/workout. This is why most of our classes are also very unique and one of a kind, like Yoga Trapeze, Barre & Feet-up Yoga. It is a totally different way of looking at exercise and we want to make sure each individual has a mind body experience. And of course to always make it fun! Even after getting diagnosed with Cancer I knew I would always still want to continue teaching and now I use my fitness platform to help share my journey and inspire even more. I just feel very grateful for my clients and the little family that we have created in the last 5 years.
3. Your motto at Burn Body is to empower people with the knowledge of health, healing, and strength. Tell us a little more about this moto and the personal story that inspired it.
Being an inspiration to many through my journey has definitely made me rethink my purpose. Initially I started off my Studio as a space where people can come get together to create a community, workout and gain that feel good factor. But after my journey last year I believe that what most people in this world are really searching for is true inner peace. Health was already a huge part of the studio, the healing has recently become a very big part of the studio as well. We have now therefore incorporated a few healing classes into our schedule such as Sound Healing and Gong Bath, and soon we will introduce breath workshops. When it comes to strength I think most of my clients are very inspired by my strength and through that they find strength too, in both physical aspects and mental too. P.S they do keep saying my classes keep getting harder and harder.
4. A big part of your story is rejecting modern medicine treatments and choosing to ‘heal’ your body using an alternative approach, walk us through how you made this decision?
If you had an entire day, this is a topic I could go on and on about.
So after having gone through a 6 hour long surgery last year to remove the tumour, I was told there was a 25-30% chance that my Cancer may come back, and in order to reduce that risk it was insisted that I undergo Radiation and Low dose Chemotherapy treatment for 6 weeks. Having seen the long and debilitating list of side effects from these 2 standard medical treatments, I spoke with 5 different Oncologists from around the world to see if there were any alternatives.
However, all 5 Oncologists said the same thing and suggested the radiation and chemo. I felt like I hit a dead end and that was a very sad and stressful moment. Never the less, I know that all my life I have always been inclined to healthy habits and choices and that I truly believe the body has the power to heal, you just need to have faith. It was almost like as if all my life I had been working towards this moment and preparing myself for this turning point. I knew it in my Gut that this was not the only answer, this cannot be the only way. I began empowering myself with knowledge and doing extensive research with which I thankfully came across amazing healing stories, read about some inspiring people, and came across alternative healing cancer clinics in Germany. I then felt like I was not alone and that I had found another way.
5. Some would say it irresponsible to encourage people to say no to traditional medical treatments, what do you have to say to this?
I would definitely never encourage anyone to say no to their chosen form of treatment. However, firstly it is always important for patients to at least be aware of all the various types of treatments that are available for their conditions. Secondly, I would ask them to see if there is a possibility for them to add a few healthy habits to their lifestyle whilst they are undergoing any treatment to help boost their immune systems. Typical conventional treatments are about extreme impact on the body they don’t take into account the massive side effects and long term problems associated with these treatments, and often these conventional treatments don’t actually cure but suppress the symptoms. Integrative treatment is all about finding root causes of the diseases, boosting the bodies natural defenses and boosting the immune systems. Therefor when we integrate conventional treatments and alternative ones at the same time it doubles the chances of success and can help with long term side effects. Working on the whole body is a more holistic approach and can help not only with Cancer but all sorts of chronic conditions.
6. For those struggling with cancer at the moment, how do you help them?
After my 1 year surgery “anniversary’, I decided to become a “Cancer Coach”. Not only have I gone through my personal journey with cancer, but I have done extensive research, completed numerous courses, and also spoken and consulted with doctors and medical practitioners in Germany, Spain, UK, US and India. I also had many frustrated people reach out to me for advice and guidance over the last 12 months and all this led me down this path. I have begun to actively not only help guide Cancer patients but also people suffering with other Auto Immunes diseases.
The kind of guidance I give it is mainly related with diet, exercise, meditation, breathing techniques, supplementation, alternative treatment therapies like IV’s, hyperthermia, mistletoe, and lots more.
7. Apart from the physical toll cancer took on you, how did you manage its mental effects on your health?
It is probably the most difficult aspect of it. Physically I know I was there, and I could do it all. I changed my diet and lifestyle, removed harmful toxins from my environment and reduced my toxic load by switching to more natural products for my home and myself. Some of the alternative treatments I have done have had their fair share of challenges too, but having that mental clarity and working towards my goal has always been at the centre of my mind.
But no matter what I would do physically if I did not work on the mental side I would have may as well not done anything. Most people don’t realize this but the mind is truly a very powerful weapon and what you feed your mind will always affect the outcome of your body. The mental power it takes one to get over, well I can’t even say get over as its one of the toughest things to get over. But the mental power it takes is huge, and it’s not a one- time fix, it is a daily practice and will keep being a daily practice. From journaling to meditation, from positive affirmations, to forgiveness practice, or practicing Gratitude daily; and most importantly not letting fear take over but always having faith. Some days are better than others but it is a daily practice and understanding and accepting it is a lifestyle change.
8. Do you believe that any cancer is treatable using your alternative methods? I was sceptical about this when I heard your story, especially when it comes to those who have later-stage cancer or cancer in sensitive organs. What would you say to someone like me who is skeptical?
The body wants to be healthy, the body wants to heal, the body does not want to be sick. All we need to do is give it the right space and place to create healing. I truly believe anything is possible and anyone can reverse their diagnosis. You just have to first start to truly believe that you can and the universe will start to unfold and send you guidance and messenger.
On this awakening journey of mine I have had the great fortune of coming across many like-minded people and even meeting some in person who have healed themselves out of a 4 month death sentence prognosis and are still alive 10 years later and doing very well. I have had the opportunity to hear amazing remission stories from patients at the clinic I have been going to in Germany for my alternative treatments.
I have also been listening to many podcasts, reading several books, and watched docuseries about many people who have had miracle remissions. These stories have touched my life and inspired me and I am so sure they can do the same for anyone, if only more people knew, heard and believed. The skeptics will continue doubting but when you are diagnosed with such a scary disease and your life is on the line you explore and empower yourself with what every it takes to heal and get better. The first step is to take the control of your body in your hands. Often many of these success stories are never known, and that is why I am speaking out in hope that I can empower someone else too.
9. Walk us through your day, particularly the routines you have to ensure you have a healthy body and healthy mind.
On a daily basis one of the biggest fundamental I practice is my breathing exercises. Cancer thrives in an acidic environment and for that reason it is essential to try and keep your body alkaline. The best way to do this is by using your breath. So my breathing practice which was taught to me by my amazing mum and teacher is a 30 min daily practice that I do to start my day. Part of that practice also includes a short meditation, affirmation and gratitude practice.
I then do a lot of juicing in the morning. I juice anything from 6 to 10 carrots a day, some wheatgrass, celery, beetroots and the list goes on. My diet is 95% plant based organic and highly nutrient rich. Also, importantly I follow a no gluten, sugar, dairy or refined oils diet. If there is one thing you can do today it is to remove these 4 harmful ingredients from your diet. They cause inflammation and disease in the body.
I also have a bunch of supplements on a daily basis and I pulse some. Mushrooms are a very big part of my life now, I supplement them daily and they are a game changer!
In addition, I practice energy medicine, use a PEMF machine, and do a weekly walking meditation in the forest. I have my high dose Vitamin C IV and a few others every fortnight. Further more, I have alkaline baths weekly, practice Yoga as often as I can and create healing in my body using sound. These are just a few of the things I would do on a daily basis. Sounds like a lot but the biggest fundamental information you can empower yourself with today will be your strongest weapon tomorrow. Knowledge is power and the more you learn the more you grow.
10. How can people get in touch with you?
If it is concerning the Studio and exercising and general fitness and healing, then best to go on our Instagram Page @burnbodyfitness.
For anything more personal then again using my Instagram page @fitmummyof_3, or by email on info.burnbody@gmail.com
