Interview – Sikh Bodybuilding

Looking back I couldn’t thank my father enough. He got me through the initial shady phase where most people seem to give up. I then developed enough confidence and enough of a body to start the gym myself.

I’m slowly climbing the ladder of recognition but my aim is to be a known guy in fitness as a vegetarian (maybe even vegan in the future). 

I think modern society has taken a negative knock in terms of physical activity. I feel most issues we have with chronic diseases these days can be largely with some activity (Ideally a farmer like day but some fake work in a gym is fine too). 

Plus wouldn’t it be cool to have your life form in front of you based on the values you’ve picked up just from the gym. I mean Arnold’s whole life was established once he won Olympia (not to take any of the hard work away from him). Point being the same dedication and attitude applies to the rest of your life and once it is applied nothing can stop you.

Having lumps and abs are pretty cool too. 

It affected me at first, not knowing much about what to eat etc. It wasn’t long before I was already looking better than I ever did and I feel amazing inside too.

Now I also see it as a USP for my business. The next step, when I feel fully ready is to go vegan. There’s so many myths around about protein intake for vegetarians and all. I’d like to crush them as I crush my personal bests every week. 

Giving is a large part of the Sikh ideology and I can’t think of a more rewarding career path than to help people achieve their short-term fitness goals and to also improve their long-term health. 

In terms of diet there is the vegetarian approach which may influence health and fitness, but only in a better way (providing one get all nutrients they’re missing).

I’ve also worked with Amritdhari Sikhs who are more careful when it comes to supplements to check for egg etc. Otherwise I don’t think there are any excuses or restrictions. 

For too long it has been a forgotten part of our culture and traditions. Not through our own fault mind you. We are pretty much all second, third and even fourth generation British Sikhs. The generations before us were too busy settling and making a living. I can’t imagine getting a six-pack was high on the priority list. Now we’re an affluent community and it’s no longer about clocking the hours to send money back home. Our generation is now making wiser decisions to get health into gear and even getting the elders into it.

Lots of progress has been made with Gurdwara gyms now opening and many of our youth are interested in MMA because of guys like Subaig Singh who are much-needed role models. We now even have social media pages dedicated to Sikh athletes! Check out https://instagram.com/sikhmuscle1/ or @sikhmuscle1 on Instagram.

I like to practice what I preach. It’s nice to hear from people worldwide but I always try to encourage people to have their own story. I came from a 49kg skinny Singh to whatever I am today. Things are possible once the mind is focused.

I find it humbling that people find me an inspiration but it brings a sense of responsibility which I’m happy to take on. 

Thyaar par Thyaar is a concept in Sikhi where one should be mentally and physically ready to tackle oppression and injustice. It has to be said most of us these days couldn’t carry a 16kg dumbbell efficiently never mind a kirpan.

I do believe bahadari is something embedded within us. Since the very beginning Sikhs were revolutionaries and rebels. I myself take full pride in that and love listening to songs/stories about our shaheeds before and during workouts.