We recently had the chance to connect with Ava Shah and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ava, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now starts bright and early at 6:00 AM. The first thing I do is get myself ready for the day, which includes downing some electrolytes and a Celsius for that extra kick. By 7:00 or 7:30 AM, you’ll find me working out. I always kick off my day with exercise because it instantly puts me in a great headspace and boosts my productivity. I also love getting outside in the morning, even if it’s just for a short walk or a quick run, as the sunshine truly makes me happy.
During the day, I’m typically at school for classes. In between lectures, I’m usually juggling work for either Celsius or Gymshark, which often involves planning events or attending team meetings. I also dedicate time to mapping out social content for the two clubs whose social media I manage. My evenings are usually packed too; I have Category 5 meetings throughout the week, or I’ll be playing pickleball. All in all, my days are busy, but they’re filled with a lot of fun activities and I make sure to stay very active!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I packed my bags for Miami for college and honestly, I haven’t looked back since! Coming to school here has really allowed me to find my stride by getting involved in clubs that sparked my interest, and now I’m even a student leader for them.
Growing up, I was always super active, playing every sport imaginable. But like many during COVID, I found myself slipping into some really unhealthy habits, and my self-esteem and body image took a hit. When I got to college, I decided not to pursue collegiate sports, which meant I had to figure out a new routine to build healthy habits and stay in shape on my own.
That’s when I met some truly incredible people here in Miami. They taught me so much about what “fitness” really means – it’s not just about the workouts, but about your entire well-being. That realization completely transformed my own self and mindset. I dove headfirst into this new community, and now, my biggest passion is to inspire others in the same way my friends inspired me. I want to help people discover movement and activities that fulfill every part of their lives and genuinely make them happy, rather than forcing themselves into something they dread.
That’s why I’m driven to navigate the fitness and sports marketing industry. I’ve always loved business, and my passion for fitness has only grown stronger. It feels like the perfect way to tie both of those interests together and make a real impact.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most profoundly shaped how I see myself is, without a doubt, the one with my sister. She has always been my biggest supporter, consistently helping me navigate the twists and turns of my own life while simultaneously pushing me to become the best version of myself.
My mom, my sister, and I have a special bond; we call ourselves the Phoenix Girls. It’s a testament to our ability to rise above challenges and continually transform into our strongest selves. And throughout my entire life, it’s been my sister who has truly molded me into the person I am most proud to be. Her unwavering belief in me and her constant encouragement have been the driving forces behind my growth and self-discovery.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: “Don’t care so much about what other people think.”
It sounds cliché, I know, but it’s the absolute truth. The moment I stopped caring so much about what others thought of me, or what I felt I needed to be doing just to be liked, was the moment I truly found myself. I was finally able to let go of those unrealistic expectations and genuinely pursue the things that brought me joy. It’s incredibly freeing.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on most that aren’t my own definitely come from Mel Robbins. I listen to her podcasts frequently, and her “Let Them” theory is something I carry with me a lot. It’s truly a transformative mindset.
For those unfamiliar, the “Let Them” theory essentially boils down to recognizing what you can and cannot control in life, particularly when it comes to other people’s actions, opinions, and choices. Instead of expending emotional energy trying to change or control situations or individuals outside of your influence, you simply “let them.”
For example, if a friend doesn’t invite you to an event, or if someone isn’t meeting your expectations in a relationship, instead of getting upset or trying to force a different outcome, you literally just say to yourself, “Let them.” It’s about detaching from the need to control others’ behavior and redirecting that energy back to yourself.
Mel Robbins emphasizes that this isn’t about apathy or ignoring problems. It’s about regaining your emotional peace and focusing on what you can control: your own reactions, choices, and actions. It empowers you to set boundaries, make decisions that align with your values, and stop wasting time and energy on things that are not yours to manage.
I find her approach incredibly liberating because it aligns perfectly with my own journey of self-discovery and prioritizing my well-being. She has a remarkable ability to speak to her audience and deliver messages that are not only relatable but also immediately actionable, making it easy to integrate these powerful mindsets into daily life. It’s all about taking back your power and creating a life that genuinely makes you happy.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I truly hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I was someone who loved to help others. More than anything, what brings me genuine happiness and fulfillment is being able to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
I hope they remember how I was always ready to lend a hand, whether it was tackling tasks at work to lighten someone’s load or offering business advice to help them navigate a challenge. I want them to recall how I took joy in connecting people, seeing the potential in individuals and bringing them together in ways that benefited everyone. Most importantly, I hope they speak of the effort I put into building communities where everyone felt welcome, seen, and valued.
It’s not just about grand gestures; it’s about the consistent, everyday acts of support and the genuine desire to see others thrive. I want my legacy to be one of helpfulness, connection, and creating spaces where people felt a sense of belonging and could truly flourish.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ava_shah?igsh=MXB4eHNiY3BnZnBt&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ava-shah
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@avashah?_t=ZP-8xHn3dwXcMw&_r=1
