It’s About Focusing on Becoming a Better Version of Yourself Every Day and Staying Consistent in Your Efforts |
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
My journey began as a very studious child. I was always one of the top students in my class, a first-bencher, completely focused on my studies. Unfortunately, this dedication to academics came at a cost—I neglected my health. My diet consisted mainly of junk food, and I paid little attention to my appearance or overall well-being. This led to several health issues, including weight gain, frequent fatigue, and eventually more severe symptoms like breathing difficulties and frequent fainting spells. My energy levels decreased, my face became pale, and I could barely muster the strength to get through the day.
Alarmed by my deteriorating health, my parents took me to the hospital where a series of blood tests revealed shocking results. My hemoglobin level was a mere 4, and I had numerous other deficiencies. The doctors were stunned that I was still conscious; typically, people with such low hemoglobin levels become unconscious. There were fears of thalassemia, blood infection, or even blood cancer. I was advised to be admitted to the hospital immediately to avoid slipping into a coma. This period was incredibly hard for my family—they would check on me at night to ensure I was still breathing.
Facing these dire circumstances, I was taken to a government hospital where more tests were conducted. Thankfully, with medication and injections, my condition began to improve. However, another setback came when I developed retinal hemorrhage due to the low hemoglobin levels, impacting my eyesight. Fortunately, I found a renowned eye doctor who treated the condition without surgery, solely through medication.
This harrowing experience was a wake-up call. I realized how close I had come to losing my life and understood the importance of taking care of my body. Determined to leave my unhealthy lifestyle behind, I decided to change my habits completely. A moment that fueled this transformation was a comment from some classmates and a teacher who laughed when I said my health issues were due to food, pointing out that I was overweight and how could I have deficiencies when I ate that much.
At the end of my final semester of college, I joined a gym, and that decision transformed my life. Embracing fitness not only improved my health but also became a passion that I wanted to share with others. That’s how my fitness journey began, and it has been the cornerstone of my lifestyle ever since.
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what it is about?
After successfully achieving my weight loss goals, I began to notice so many positive changes in my life. My overall health improved drastically, my features became sharper, and my skin became healthier. I had more energy than ever before, but most importantly, I gained a level of self-confidence that I had never experienced. The gym quickly became a habit, and as I started gaining muscle, my overall physique became more toned and defined.
Encouraged by friends and family, I decided to share my journey on Instagram to inspire others to take charge of their health and improve their lifestyles. What began as a hobby turned into a passionate endeavor. I started creating videos to motivate people to work out and adopt healthier habits.
To my surprise and delight, my content resonated with many, and I now have a community of over 24,000 followers who support and encourage me. The love and positivity I’ve received from complete strangers has been overwhelming. People who don’t even know me personally leave encouraging comments, send sweet messages, and continuously motivate me to keep posting.
This support has been incredibly humbling and makes me feel truly grateful. It drives me to continue sharing my journey and creating content that can inspire others. My Instagram page has become a space where I can connect with people, share my experiences, and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Additionally, I delve into fashion, demonstrating how feeling good on the inside can be complemented by looking great on the outside.
3. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
My mantra in life is simple: never stop believing in yourself. There is nothing you cannot achieve if you set your mind to it. It's crucial not to let others' comments and opinions damage your self-esteem. Remember, you are here for a reason—you are beautiful and special in your own way, and you should never let anyone tell you otherwise.
Success, to me, is about personal growth and self-improvement. It's about focusing on becoming a better version of yourself every day and staying consistent in your efforts. Life is a journey, and the key is to embrace every step of it, continually working towards your goals while appreciating the progress you make along the way.
4. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Honestly, I still don’t quite believe I’m a social media influencer—I simply enjoy recording my journey and sharing it. However, I understand that the term "influencer" applies here. To be successful in this field, there are a few key principles I follow:
Be Honest: Honesty is paramount. Be truthful with yourself and your audience. Don't post misleading content just for the sake of views. People trust those they follow, so it's our responsibility to ensure the content we share is genuine and accurate.
Provide Value: People are drawn to content that adds value to their lives. Create content that is useful and helps your audience in some way. Whether it's fitness tips, healthy recipes, or motivational advice, make sure your content can positively impact your followers' lives.
Be Selective with Promotions: Don’t promote just anything for the sake of payment or free products. Be mindful of the choices you make because your audience trusts your recommendations. Avoid promoting products that are unhealthy, low-quality, or simply marketing gimmicks. I have a strict policy against endorsing products I wouldn’t personally use or believe in, regardless of the financial incentive. For example, I’ve turned down lucrative offers from gaming and betting websites and traders because I don't support what they promote.
5. Is it financially sustainable to be an influencer today?
For someone who is considering becoming a full-time content creator, the answer is yes, it can be financially sustainable if approached correctly. To achieve this, you need to focus on creating high-quality content, expanding your reach, and ensuring high levels of audience engagement. However, it’s important to understand that this requires a significant commitment of time and effort—it’s not as easy as it might appear.
Dedication is key. You must be prepared to invest all your time in content creation, constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to connect with your audience. If you succeed, the financial benefits can be substantial. Successful influencers often receive sponsorships from brands, are paid to post content and receive numerous free products to use and review.
The key to financial sustainability as an influencer lies in building a loyal and engaged audience. Brands are willing to invest in influencers who have a strong connection with their followers and can effectively promote their products. So, while the path may be challenging, with hard work, creativity, and consistency, it can certainly become a viable and rewarding career option.
6.How would you distinguish the term blogger from influencer?
A blogger is someone who primarily creates and publishes content on a blog. This content can be hosted on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook or on dedicated websites. Bloggers share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences on various topics, which can range from personal hobbies and sports achievements to travel adventures and lifestyle tips.
On the other hand, an influencer is a well-known person with a significant following on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Influencers are regarded as experts in their respective fields and have the ability to shape trends and opinions within their niches. They engage with their audience more directly and frequently, leveraging their large followings to promote products, services, and ideas.
Essentially, while all bloggers can be influencers, not all influencers are bloggers. Influencers are trendsetters and key opinion leaders in their niches, with a strong capacity to influence the purchasing decisions and behaviors of their followers.
Bio:
This is Yamini Thapliyal . She is a content creator and has more than 24k followers on Instagram.
Interviewed by - Ashmeet Kaur
Edited by- Arunangshu Chatterjee
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