Originally published on brainzmagazine.com
For Harsha Pakhal, fitness isn’t about grueling routines or chasing fleeting trends. It’s about showing up, building lasting habits, and feeling good in your skin, mentally and physically. His journey from self-doubt to self-discipline shaped his personal transformation and the deeply personalized, holistic coaching philosophy he now shares with clients of all backgrounds.
In a world saturated with one-size-fits-all workout plans and pressure to perform, Harsha offers something refreshingly different: a consistent, compassionate approach that prioritizes real life over rigid routines. Whether helping busy professionals find 20 minutes for movement or encouraging gym-shy beginners to take that first step, Harsha’s method centers on sustainability and self-belief.
In this conversation, he opens up about the experiences that shaped his perspective, the common myths he helps clients unlearn, and the mindset shifts that turn short-term effort into lifelong change.
1. Can you share a bit about what first inspired you to become a fitness trainer? Was there a defining moment or personal experience that led you down this path?
Honestly, it came from my own struggles. I wasn’t always the most confident person when it came to working out. Like a lot of people, I went through phases of trying to “go hard” or follow whatever was trending, but nothing really stuck. It wasn’t until I focused on building simple, consistent habits that I started to feel better, not just physically, but mentally too. That shift completely changed my outlook, and I knew I wanted to help others feel the same way.
2. How has your own relationship with fitness evolved over the years, and how does that shape the way you coach others today?
It’s changed a lot. In the beginning, it was all about performance and appearance. I was lifting heavier weights, working out more, and trying to look a certain way. But now, I care way more about how I feel day to day. I want to move well, feel strong, and have energy. That mindset is something I try to pass on to my clients. It’s not about extremes. It’s about feeling good and building something that actually lasts.
3. You work with clients of all backgrounds and experience levels. What drew you to focus on such a personalized, one-on-one approach to training?
Everyone’s different. What works for one person might not work for another, and I’ve found that people make way more progress when the plan actually fits their lives. One-on-one coaching gives me the chance to really listen, get to know someone, and help them build something that’s realistic—not just another cookie-cutter workout.
4. Your coaching style emphasizes consistency over intensity. Why do you believe consistency is the key to lasting results?
Intense workouts might get fast results, but they usually don’t last. Most people can’t sustain that pace forever, and honestly, they shouldn’t have to. But when you focus on showing up regularly and building solid habits, that’s when things start to shift in a lasting way. Consistency is what carries you forward when motivation dips.
5. So many people feel pressure to focus on how they look. You encourage clients to focus on how they feel. Why is that shift in mindset so important?
How you feel shows up way before how you look ever does. When you start sleeping better, moving easier, or just feeling more confident in your own skin, that’s powerful. Those are the wins that really stick. Physical changes are great, but if you don’t feel good getting there, what’s the point?
6. You’ve mentioned that fitness should support someone’s life, not take it over. What does that look like in practice for the clients you work with?
It means the plan has to fit into your day, not the other way around. If someone’s working full-time, juggling family stuff, or just feeling stretched thin, I’m not going to hand them a two-hour-a-day routine. We find what’s manageable and build from there. The goal is progress, not burnout.
7. What are some of the most common misconceptions you see people have about fitness when they first come to you?
You have to be “in shape” to even start. Or that if you’re not doing something intense, it doesn’t count. That kind of thinking holds people back. You don’t need to do it all at once. You just need to start somewhere. Wherever you’re at right now is enough.
8. Can you share a story—without naming names—of a client who made meaningful progress by shifting their focus to functional fitness or habit-building?
One client came in really overwhelmed. She had tried every program under the sun, and nothing stuck. We stripped it all back and shifted to short workouts, simple movements, and a big focus on how she felt, not how she looked. A few weeks in, she told me her energy was better, and she didn’t dread workouts anymore. A few months later, she was stronger, more confident, and showing up consistently for herself. That’s the kind of progress that matters most to me.
9. What advice would you give to someone who’s intimidated by the gym or feels like they’re starting from zero?
First off, you’re not alone. A lot of people feel that way, especially if they’ve had a bad experience or haven’t worked out in a while. My advice is not to overthink it. Just take the first step, even if it’s small. Focus on learning how to move well, and give yourself credit for showing up. That’s where it starts.
10. How do you tailor a fitness program to someone’s daily routine, especially if they’re super busy or feeling overwhelmed?
We start with some basic questions, like what’s your week actually look like? What feels doable? I’m not here to tell people to wake up at 5 a.m. if they’re not morning people. If you’ve got 20 minutes in the evening a few times a week, great. We build around your real life, not some ideal version of it.
11. What role does accountability play in your coaching process, and how do you keep clients motivated without applying pressure?
Accountability’s huge, but it’s not about guilt trips or shame. It’s about support. I check in, see how things are going, and help adjust if needed. Motivation comes and goes. What I try to build is momentum. When clients start feeling better, they naturally want to keep going.
12. You include functional movement, mobility, and strength training in your programs. Why is that mix so effective—especially for beginners?
Because it covers everything people actually need. Functional training helps with real-life movement, mobility keeps your joints happy, and strength gives you that sense of capability. For beginners, it builds confidence fast. You start moving better, feeling better, and that makes it easier to stick with.
13. How do you help clients navigate setbacks, like missing workouts or feeling like they’ve lost progress?
I tell them that setbacks are normal. Everyone misses a workout or has a rough week. It doesn’t erase your progress. The key is not letting it turn into quitting. We look at what got in the way, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. Progress isn’t a straight line. It never is.
14. What keeps you motivated as a coach, even on the tough days?
Honestly, seeing people grow. Watching someone go from doubting themselves to walking in with confidence never gets old. Being part of that process, even in a small way, is what keeps me showing up.
15. Looking ahead, what do you hope people take away from working with you—not just in terms of fitness, but in how they see themselves?
I hope they leave feeling like they can. Like they’re capable, strong, and in control of their own progress. Fitness is just the tool. I want people to walk away trusting themselves more, not just in the gym but in life too.