Fitness being synonymous with good health is a goal many people try to achieve, perhaps in your new year resolutions? Having a high Level of overall fitness is linked with a lower risk of chronic illness, as well as a better ability to manage health issues that do come up. Better fitness also promotes more functionality and mobility throughout one’s life span.

Gyming these days is simply not a place meant to only work out, its graduated to a higher level and has now become a complete lifestyle especially in the age of Instagram and TikTok where celebrities and influencers are in touch with their audience by sharing portions of it and even some making trends out of it that are widely followed, nontheless we are here for it!

Shiv Simani is a fitness coach, owner of Rotator and all round fitness enthusiast. When it comes down to the topic of fitness,Shiv’s physique is one of the most talked about. He is widely followed for his gym regime, his workout variations and diet preference. We sit down with him on a 25 quick fire questions to know him a little better past the gym.

25 Quickfire questions with Shiv Simani

What inspired you to start your fitness journey?

I have always been into fitness, actually I always wanted to be a footballer growing up but that dream did not come true because of circumstances, going through life I was in football team, swim team, track team, so its always been part of what I love to do. Going into uni I also wanted to do something relating to sports which I also did not get an opportunity its to do because it wasn’t offered here and we could not afford to go abroad. So after uni I went into the job market, I had year of chaos, decided to quit alcohol and started posting my journey in my previous company and people started following it and wanted help in their journey as well and that’s how it started.

How long have you been training/working out?

I have been working out for about 9 years, yeah.

Do you have any hidden talents people don’t know about

Not many people know this but I am good with dogs, I understand dog psychology, I train my dog Mamba and I also help close friends and family with their dogs.

If you had switch professions with someone who would it be and why

I really don’t know, its not something I’ve thought about i’d say maybe an athlete? maybe a sports scientist, its still in the line but I really love what I do so I don’t want to ever change it.

Ugly and live forever or look attractive and die in a year

Attractive and die in a year! In that year I’ll have lived to the fullest! (laughs)

How often do you train? 

It depends on the seasons, on intense seasons where maybe there’s a competition coming up or I just feel like getting back into better condition I would train 6 days out of 7 and in slow seasons I would train 3 or 4 days a week.

If you could wake up in the body of someone else who would it be and what would you do

I love my body! I don’t know, I would say in the mind of Richard Branson, Barrack Obama yeah but I’m not crazy about their bodies though…(laughs)

If you could have personally witnessed something, what would you want to have seen

I want to see the world from the top! So skydiving is top of the list, experience the northern lights and definitely scuba diving is in my bucket list.

Describe your perfect day

A perfect day would be waking up early, meditate, get ready, go to the gym, coach a few classes, work out, have breakfast, walk my dog, chill with my kids, have lunch, take a nap, do some work, chill with my wife, in the evening take a walk, maybe play some video games and then just turn down for the evening.

Worst experience with a client?

When someone does not follow through or stay consistent and not showing up for classes. Drives me nuts!

Worst or best experience meeting a follower randomly

When someone does not introduce themselves cause I don’t walk around expecting people to know me, so I wouldn’t want to come off as rude and ask ‘who are you?’ so its better if somebody introduces themselves.

What is the habit you are proudest of breaking

Smoking cigarettes, I used to smoke for like 3 years and it was in that period I stopped drinking, it was the hardest to break so I am really proud of that.

Favourite hangout spot in Nairobi?

I don’t hangout much outside my house I like staying in my house, but places like About Thyme has really good food, I like open airy spaces, when a place has one exit door, it’s unsettling for me.

Are you still learning who you are

Yes I am, I am big on self improvement, still learning myself how to relate with other people, how to handle different situations and events in my life, still learning, everyday.

If you could spend a day with a celebrity who would it be

Maybe if we are doing something together like hiking then I would say Lewis Hamilton.

Mountains or the beach? view or tv?

Beach! easy. Views for sure!

Have you ever had a serious injury while in the gym

Yes I have but not at the gym, I have dislocated both shoulders while playing football 4 times, I have to be careful now, even how I sleep there are certain positions I can’t be in.

What is your greatest strength and weakness?

For weakness, I am hard on myself like if I set out to do something I have to complete and if i don’t it really bugs me. For my strength… my discipline and commitment, I will show up.

Worst date?

I have dated the same person for 12 years! But we once went on a valentines date and ended up in a police station at the end of the night! Nothing serious but it wasn’t great (laughs).

Biggest fear?

I don’t think I have a worst fear, no.

What is the best or worst (big) purchase you have ever made?

My dog Mamba, he was a big purchase!

Which artist and influencer in Kenya would you rate to be a perfect 10?

I have so many, I love Joy Kendi’s Crazy Kennar’s and Just Ivy’s work ethic, I mean there so many people putting in hard work…there’s Georgie Ndirangu, Eli Mwenda, so many people doing an amazing job.

Were you the popular guy in Highschool or the quiet one?

I wouldn’t say popular but I was a captain in Highschool, I was in Lenana Highschool…Changez yeah!

What is your guilty pleasure?

I enjoy whiskey once in a while….I don’t have a best, like I’m on a journey….I like a smokey and smooth whiskey. That’s one guilty pleasure but that’s the one we can discuss.

Whats something new we can expect from you in the coming year 2023?

You can expect more fitness content, nutrition content, I’m building my brand Rotator…. it’s been a long time coming since I left my other company. So Rotator, that name is going to be plastered everywhere in this coming year!