Eight years ago, Neeki Singh was unrecognisably different from what she is today. Twenty-three then, she was shy, even a bit taciturn.
At that time, she was in Delhi, having found employment as a coder in an IT major through campus recruitment.
“I was fast losing interest in the job,” recalls Neeki Singh.
Today, Neeki is a zumba fitness trainer known for her irrepressible energy. How did she make the career switch?
“The career change was not planned,” says Neeki. “My boss would take me to Zumba classes every Friday, but I never thought that would be my calling one day.”
After six-and-a half years, this electronics and electrical engineer from Bhilai turned her back on a corporate career to take care of her daughter.
Finding Neeki extremely fit post-motherhood, neighbours at her apartment complex in Perungudi started taking fitness tips from her.
“For some months, I was teaching floor exercises to them on the terrace of my apartment,” says Neeki, adding that this encouraged her to go in for a Zumba licence, in 2015.
She is now trained in Zumba basic, Gold (which allows her to teach those above 50 years of age) and Strong By (for athletes).
“Zumba is fun. In Zumba, you are smiling while working out and burning calories,” says 31-year-old Neeki.
Neeki is now one of the sought-after Zumba trainers in Chennai and, she has been brought on board for many marathons, where she is expected to prepare the crowd for the run.
“At marathons, I have a 10-to-15-minute role, before the start of the run, but it’s crucial. I don’t focus so much on the dance form as on engaging the audience,” says Neeki who has associated with Marina Runners, Dream Runners Half Marathon and also with Hyundai’s 20th anniversary celebration.
A majority of her assignments have come through word-of-mouth publicity. Neeki is now focusing on training corporates. “A majority of them lead sedentary lives. I was one among them and I want to make a difference in this sector,” says Neeki, adding that she can bring about a transformation if she gets to work with a group for 90 minutes.
Deepam, a NGO working for children, and Teach for India are among social projects she is associated with.
Neeki can be reached at 96001 28534 or visit her Facebook page: ZUMBA The Addiction.
