The art of looking good, feeling better

Advertising professional Santha John runs Coach Life in Hyderabad. "After my stint at JWT got over in 2014, I was left wondering about what I should do next. Then, I heard about 'life coach' during a conversation. I packed my bags and left for London for a year to do a course and did 50 hours of personal training with Curly Martin, who has written a definitive book on life coaching. This is the latest to hit the market to help you focus and make your life better,” she says.

Nutritionist Sridevi Jasti runs a studio, Vibrant Living, where she consults people on food and nutrition. "I am a foodie and a food enthusiast. I help people understand their relationship with food. There is so much of information out there, but I custom make food based on the culture, background and lifestyle of the person. I want my client to enjoy food without any guilt," says Sridevi.

Chaitanya C.H., popularly known as Chai, runs an image consultant firm called Style Chai. She was in the first batch of the five who graduated from the Panache Finishing School in 2011, where she is now faculty. "Earlier they used to brush me off thinking I was a fashion stylist, but now they come to me to style them in their own skin," she says.

Friends for sometime now, Santha, Sridevi and Chai, realised one day that they could synergise their professional strengths to start something that would help people feel and look better. After all, is it not a combination of food, style and a happy life that makes one look good and feel happy. And, they came together to launch Elanist Pro, a wellness programme.

Inspired from the word 'elan'—which is what they wanted their clients to feel—the trio could not think of a name without sounding obvious. “So, we created the word 'elanist',” says Santha, who marketed the word to her partners. They added 'Pro' to the name because they are professionals in their own fields.

"The need to transform has to come from the client," says Chai. However, in many cases there is a pressure from children, husband, or friends who push the client to go for a new look. Chai says the average age of the clients is between 35 and 40. "The element of looking elite and to be part of the elite crowd is what pushes most of them," she says.

Rising awareness about good and healthy food makes Sridevi a perfect fit in the team. "Not many people cook in Hyderabad, which makes it difficult for them to control what they eat," she says. "I am making it doable for them. It is a luxury when you get what is good for you door delivered, and knowing that you will enjoy every bite of it," says Sridevi. "I do not compromise with food because 70-80 per cent of what you are comes from the food you eat. My team and I take care of everything, including the crunch in your salad," she says with a smile.

It is not only about food, she insists, but that the client learns to eat properly, at home, to their taste, and healthy to boot.

"While you may have everything, including the right food and a stylish personality, you realise that you do not have the time or energy to project it," says Santha. "I help the client focus, to set his/her own goals,” she adds. Santha has a number of clients from across the country and most of them have issues with time and lack focus. She talks to them and helps them find their own path.

"Because image is not only about appearance. You may have everything and yet not able to project yourself and make the right impression," says Chai.

Surprisingly in their own professions, they have more male clients than women, and as one of them snidely puts it: “because women know it all.” But they are more than happy with their male clientele because “it is easier to mould them and they are willing to learn.”

"These are times of perception; in fact, instant perception. Why not change it for the better?," wonders Chai.

The trio not only discuss health, but discuss “feeling good.” And in this day and age they discuss positivism. With the need coming from the client, they have to hand hold them till such time that the client becomes aware.

One month of the Elanist Pro programme comes at a cost of Rs 80,000.