JKAS officer Anissa Nabi has not only excelled in her professional life but has also become a prominent figure in the fitness and health community. Her journey, from being inspired by her husband’s marathon running to becoming a fitness enthusiast herself, showcases her dedication and passion for a healthy lifestyle.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the 2012 batch JKAS officer, currently posted as Block Development Officer, Department of Rural Development with the additional charge of J&K Rural Livelihood Mission, shared details about her health and fitness journey.
INSPIRED BEGINNINGS
In 2019, Ms. Nabi discovered a passion for running after being inspired by her husband, who is an avid marathon runner. At the time, she was a mother of two and decided to embark on her fitness journey. She became involved in running groups in Jammu, actively participating in various runs and marathons alongside them.
Her first milestone was participating in a half marathon (10 km) in Jammu, where she not only completed the run but also received a medal. This achievement ignited her passion for running and boosted her confidence to explore more challenging opportunities.
FLAG RUNNER AND RECORD HOLDER
Ms. Nabi’s dedication led her to participate in national-level runs, including the Master Athletics in 2020, where she secured a silver medal in the 800m run. Her success continued as she won gold and silver medals in short races at the state level, marking a significant turning point in her athletic career.
Her love for running extended to symbolic gestures, such as participating in the Indian flag run on Republic Day, covering 26 km with the flag.
“We have a community called Indian Flag Runners. They organized the event on Republic Day, which falls on January 26th, and so I ran 26 km with the Indian Flag. I received a certificate from the International Book of Records as well for that,” the officer shared with Indian Masterminds.
She gradually started exploring her passion outside of Jammu. She actively participated in VDHM and increased her distances from short to half marathons across various cities.
BALANCING PASSION AND DUTY
As a JKAS officer, balancing her professional responsibilities with her fitness journey was challenging. At times, her practice suffered because of the tight schedules of her duties, but she still took out time for her hobby.
“I was posted in the tax department for over five years. During that time, I got the opportunity to showcase my practices, as my superiors in the officer were also very supportive. I got into strength training and yoga and explored every single fitness option that I knew of, apart from running,” she shared.
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH WONDROUS WOMEN
In 2021, Ms. Nabi initiated ‘Wondrous Women,’ a social initiative aimed at motivating and empowering women to embrace fitness and health.
“I captioned it as Women Who Inspire. My main objective was to not run alone and involve as many women as possible in this journey so that every woman learns to love herself and her body and work towards a healthier future.”
Through group activities like running, trekking, and hiking, she has inspired over 100 women of different age groups from across the country with diverse backgrounds to prioritize their well-being.
“In Jammu, the female ratio of runners is very low. We had very few female participants who were passionate about running. Today, we inspire each other and I am happy to have created a number of women runners and increase the women’s participation in running events in Jammu. I feel so blessed to be a part of this.”
PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AND FITNESS
Through her project, she also got associated with a number of other social events, including interacting with youngsters and keeping them away from drugs and anti-social elements.
Ms. Nabi’s project goes beyond physical fitness, focusing on mental well-being. She organizes live talk sessions addressing women’s health issues, body positivity, and mental health, inviting experts to guide participants toward a healthier mindset.
FIT INDIA AMBASSADOR AND BEYOND
Ms. Nabi’s contributions to the fitness community have been recognized on a national level. She serves as the first captain from Jammu and Kashmir for the Fit Bharat mission and is the official brand ambassador for the Fit India Campaign, further amplifying her impact on promoting a fitter nation.
JKAS officer Anissa Nabi’s journey from a novice runner to a national-level athlete and fitness advocate exemplifies determination and passion. Through her initiatives like ‘Wondrous Women’ and associations with national fitness campaigns, she continues to inspire and empower individuals, especially women, to lead healthier and happier lives.
