“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
– Zig Ziglar
The above quote indeed reflects the truth that one has to face at some point in their life. Precisely then, one wishes to do something extraordinary. Taking the initiative and walking confidently on a path one chooses out of free will requires enormous courage. Today we introduce to you the story of Kanishk Rawat, a 21-year-old young and dynamic model and fitness influencer who is currently pursuing graduation and has been over three years in the field of fitness and modeling.
Kanishk Rawat – My Story
After my tenth, I initially wanted to enter into the commerce stream and build a career further. I had no prime interest in pursuing modeling in the beginning. My first exposure to modeling was when I used to go to photoshoots with a friend during my tenth as his helper. That’s when modeling triggered my interest, and I decided to become a model.
In 11th, NCERT gave me an opportunity for a documentary shoot. Around 800-900 students came forward for selection, of which only 16 would get the chance. Many students and teachers have already lost hope and left. Luckily, I got selected along with another friend and a teacher. That’s when I got a craze for this field.
After my twelfth, I gave auditions for Delhi’s biggest pageant Mr. and Miss. Capital. I got selected there and even turned out to be one of the finalists and the titleholder of Mr. Vibrant. In the beginning, I just used to participate in modeling and fashion shows, but with growing popularity and opportunities, I started to work with brands. I have also done shows with Prince Narula, and I am also a host of an upcoming reality show, ‘Delhi College life.’
I have no particular role model or inspiration whom I follow. That is because if I consider a particular person as my role model, I will hold him high in my mind despite his negative qualities. For instance, if someone has a role model who might be smoking and drinking, for them, even those things would appear cool, just because their role model is doing it. What inspires and keeps me motivated in a true sense are the minor events that happen in day-to-day life.
One such event happened when I was in school. I was very interested in playing sports, and during schooltime, one of our juniors used to challenge us in sports. He used to play very well amongst his peers, but he desperately used to try to compete with us. One day I called and casually asked him why he wanted to play with us when he was well aware that his chances were negligible?
He then gave a superb reply saying, what’s the use of playing there, where you know you’d always win? Hence, many such events in my life have kept on inspiring and motivating me. Also, I try to look for the optimistic side of every situation rather than the negative part. Thus, I keep getting motivated all the time.
I was the first person in my family who took the initiative to explore the field of modeling. Initially, it was a difficult task for me as people usually looked down on modeling. For them, modeling wasn’t a great field, and instead, they used to believe in the stereotypes related to modeling blindly.
Thus, in the early period, I faced considerable negativity from many. But I was firmly determined to walk through that path. Luckily, at the same time, I was reading a novel, and I came across a statement that suggested not to take advice from someone who hasn’t ventured on the path you have chosen. Advice from the right person is helpful. Upon reflecting, I understood that I was taking advice from those who weren’t in this field. Also, some of my friends casually used to make fun of me for being in this field.
Also, I faced the fear of failure. For me, it was like a dagger hanging over my head. But there, another line came to my rescue that we learn from our failures. I chose to do graduation via distance mode at the University of Delhi.
Lots of uncertainty surrounded me until I finally met my mentor, Saurabh Sir, owner and founder of Delhi Cinema. He was the one who had the right and helpful advice which I needed. Saurabh Sir guided me on how to survive in this field and what I needed to do to triumph. Besides, my mother was very supportive when it came to modeling, and so was my father.
Saurabh Sir always motivated me, as it was his very nature. He taught most of the things that I have learned about this field. In the initial phase, it was very casual that people made fun of me, and the pressure rising from the fear of failure used to add up to my challenges. Gladly, with passing the time and becoming successful, this scenario started to change. I gained popularity, my followers kept rising on Instagram, and even my family friends and relatives started acknowledging and recognizing me.
Even in the shows I used to visit, people used to gather for clicking photographs. Upon seeing this, my parents used to feel very much proud of me. Earlier, when relatives or family friends used to ask about me, my parents usually used to say that I was completing my graduation. Now the picture has changed. Whenever someone asks them about me now, they proudly say that I’m doing modeling. It is a beautiful change that I saw in my life as I grew in modeling.
It has commonly been observed that young people are sometimes inconsistent in keeping up with their gym and fitness practices. But it’s not their fault as when one starts as a teenager to go to the gym. Their mind is diverted in many directions. Also, people try to take shortcuts, and they try just for a month or a couple of months and leave it if their improvement doesn’t match their expectations. Through my Instagram and YouTube channels, I have been motivating people, starting going to the gym, and staying consistent in their practices.
Also, I think that it’s a good sign when people join the gym for some reason, be it one of the typical reasons, of being the center of attention amongst friends and peers or be it a heartbreak. It’s indeed a great sign as they are trying to indulge in something healthy and beneficial. Also, when people have a purpose and believe in themselves, they become truly capable of achieving it. At least if they have a motto to join a gym, they would indeed work harder than others who join the gym without any aim just for passing the time.
If one is going to the gym having an aim in his mind, they will achieve the results for sure. Even when I first joined the gym, I was a sports player in school times who was skinny. Thus, it invited all sorts of taunts for me. Thus, I ardently decided to stay focused on being fit as I wanted to look bulkier like a sportsperson, which was a motivating factor for me.
I do not believe in getting successful by taking shortcuts. At the same time, I also think that one must rely solely on excessive hard work. One has to work hard to achieve success optimally smartly. My take on consuming nutritional supplements is that one should preferably consult a good certified dietician, trainer, or nutritionist who has proper knowledge about this stuff. Firstly, if one can afford supplements, then only one should go for them.
Moreover, one has to understand that excess of anything can turn out to be destructive and harmful. Along with appropriate guidance, these supplements turn out to be helpful. But one must be cautious as to whom he is taking advice from. Taking supplements is seen as a luxury in the realm of fitness, as they are expensive. I believe that, after all, fitness is all about how balanced one is from within rather than outward fitness.
Looking back, now I realize that in the beginning, I made the same mistake of taking advice from the ones who weren’t experts in this field and what damage I could have faced. I was fortunate that it didn’t affect me to a great extent. Yet, some people have to face the consequences for not paying attention to the precautions. The supplements aren’t at fault here, but the people who don’t go to the right professionals for advice and those who give bad advice are at fault.
I think that the prime qualities needed by one to emerge as a successful model or a fitness influencer are that one should be crystal clear and confident about his chosen field. They should be consistent in terms of their work. Also, they have to be willing to do hard work as not everything comes readymade to us.
One has to be ready to pay the price of their dreams. Finally, one needs to have patience and a strong belief in oneself. My mentor, Saurabh sir, told me about the three qualities that anyone and everyone would need to succeed. He believes that consistency, hard work, and patience are the human qualities that count in achieving our goals.
Speaking of the awards that I have won, I would like to mention winning the title of Global man India in 2019. I was supposed to go to Malaysia to represent our nation in Global man International in the same year but got delayed due to the pandemic. Besides, I’ve been awarded Modelling youth icon thrice. Initially, I participated in various shows, but with growing popularity, I also got invited to visit the shows as a jury member or a chief guest.
When I had participated in Mr. and Miss. Capital, Prince Narula was one of the members of the jury. But just within a year, I was along with him on the jury panel for a show. It was indeed one of my most outstanding achievements.
A journey isn’t always a smooth ride. There were several hurdles in my way too. During my tenth, I used to go to various photoshoots as a helper with my friend. I wanted to pursue commerce for my junior college, but I also wanted to grow professionally in modeling. After a while, I understood that if I proceeded with commerce, I would fall short of time, and hence, I dropped the idea of taking the commerce stream and continued with the stream of Arts. My parents were very supportive at that time, and they let me choose what I wanted to do. They just started, “whatever you do, give your best.”
Another dilemma for me was after I finished my twelfth. During the time of degree college, we get a chance to experience the true essence of college life. I genuinely wanted to enjoy college life to its fullest. But on the other hand, I wanted to stay committed to modeling and give it ample time.
Thus, I finally decided to sacrifice college life and joy and work hard, paving the way towards becoming a successful model. Also, when I began as a model, I had to prove my success to everyone. But as my journey continued, my success began to shine, and everyone’s perspective towards me as a model began to change.
I found it challenging to stay connected to my school friends or attend family functions despite all this. That’s why somewhere, I lost many bonds. But sometimes, to gain something, we do have to let go of something. For me, life was mostly about keeping a balance between achievements and failures. And wherever it became too much for me, my parents and Saurabh sir were always there for my rescue.
When I started to walk on this path, I was well aware that there would be haters, doubters, and non-believers among the people I would interact with. That time my goal was to prove them wrong by becoming successful. My second aim was that of achieving fame and popularity. Also, my third goal back then was to get the modeling youth icon award. Gladly, with time all these goals got fulfilled.
As of now, I have to go to Malaysia to represent India. I want to ensure the victory of my nation. Also, people look at this field with a negative lens. They misjudge that the field of modeling is all about nepotism and about parties and intoxication. But the accurate picture here is very much different. There is a good and bad side to each field. Nepotism is not just restricted to this field but happens in almost every field in one way or another. Even I had no family background relevant to this field, yet I got successful.
I think that if becoming successful here has been possible for me. Then anyone can do it. Thus, my goal is to make people realize reality and change the way people look towards this field.
Most people hold bitterness towards the year 2020 and the fuss created by the COVID-19 virus. But for me, this period has been significant. I won several awards and even hit the mark of 100k followers on Instagram. I guess that we all need to have a positive mindset and be hopeful even in uncertain times. If we keep on nurturing a negative mindset, we may lose sight of the positive events in our lives.
Also, due to this lockdown, many people lost or gained weight, gyms were kept closed, but the doors of fitness weren’t ever closed. One could practice many exercises away from the gym, like doing push-ups and squats, despite staying home. Also, one could have taken a walk on their terrace regularly to help themselves stay fit. What truly mattered was their seriousness and consistency in staying fit.
Even when later the gyms were allowed to function, many people refused to rejoin because they had a negative attitude that they couldn’t get back in shape, even when possible. What I learned from this year was that having a good and positive mindset has great importance because there’s always hope if you are optimistic.
Apart from modeling and being a fitness freak, I love to do many other things. I enjoy taking part in many sports like Kabaddi, Badminton, Cricket, and many more. I have played various sports at the state and national levels. Besides that, I love to read novels, especially those that share a motivating and positive message. Thus, reading is also one of my hobbies, and I’m fond of shayaris. Currently, I am passionately undertaking training to become a certified nutritionist. And last but not least, I love to travel, explore new things, and gain knowledge.
I have some words to share with someone who wishes to stay fit and has just started this journey. I want to tell you that consistency, hard work, and patience are indeed the key. Don’t take shortcuts, work hard and smart at the same time, have a cheat occasionally; and remember there would be some hurdles in your path it can be some situation, or it can be a hater, a doubter, or a non-believer, but in the end, there would be you proving them wrong.
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