‘I get a thrill out of dealing with challenges’

Says Prathima Koppolu, who is customizing fitness for women suffering from various gynaecological, hormonal and lifestyle ailments

Given the increased awareness about staying healthy and fit, gyms and dance studios are a new business trend. But most of these establishments adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach, where clients undertake routine exercises and diet regimes for the slim-trim

look. In that context, what sets Prathima Koppolu apart is her approach to fitness, customizing it for women suffering from various gynaecological, hormonal and lifestyle ailments.

Hyderabad-based Prathima, who was recently included in the list of India’s top 100 emerging women leaders by a platform that fosters start-up ecosystems, has an online start-up, Fitbee, in which

women make up 85 % of the workforce.

“I co-founded the women’s wellness start-up in 2017, along with my husband Avinash Rajapet, says the boss lady at Fitbee, an alumnus of BITS Pilani and University of Illinois, Champaign.

Speaking about what makes her startup different from other fitness centres, Prathima says, “I wanted to break the stigma and stereotypes concerning women’s health, particularly pertaining to gynaecological and hormonal issues. Women suffer from poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), poly-cystic ovarian disease (PCOD), hypothyroidism, menstrual, menopausal or gynaecological issues, facial acne and other hormonal and lifestyle issues. In fact, one in five women suffers from PCOD/PCOS or some menstrual and gynaecological issues.”

“For each of them, I make personalized diet plans and goal-based workout charts based on their body type, requirement, climate and availability of fruits and vegetables in the country of their residence. Around 11,000 women have been benefited

by us, including Indian women from 11 countries,” says Prathima. She adds, “Customized fitness regimes have helped them reverse existing disorders. Most of those who reach out are in the 23-48 age bracket, they realise the need to make a lifestyle change.”

Prathima herself suffered from rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 16 and started workouts and healthy eating at an early age. Her regimen included weight training to keep her joints mobile and healthy without the aid of medicine. “My husband and I have noticed that abroad, fitness is a way of daily life and not a luxury or option. We decided to inculcate that mindset among Indians,” she says.

On being recognised as one of the 100 emerging women leaders in India, Prathima says, “It’s always scary to start something. But I get a thrill out of dealing with challenges with hard work and determination. Commitment, passion, funding and finding the right balance are some of the factors that I take into consideration. Family support also helped me be both an entrepreneur and a mother with a lot of confidence.”

CUSTOMIZED FITNESS REGIMES HAVE HELPED THEM REVERSE EXISTING DISORDERS. MOST OF THOSE WHO REACH OUT ARE IN THE 23-48 AGE BRACKET, THEY REALISE THE NEED TO MAKE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE. — PRATHIMA KOPPOLU

“MY HUSBAND AVINASH RAJAPET AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT ABROAD, FITNESS IS A WAY OF DAILY LIFE AND NOT A LUXURY OR OPTION. WE DECIDED TO INCULCATE THAT MINDSET AMONG INDIANS” — PRATHIMA