Overcoming the odds to create a legacy
Jaina Mistry
Winner of Future Fit Training’s Legacy Award
Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Jaina Mistry delivered the final session of the day. Winner of Future Fit Training’s Legacy Award, Jaina shared her remarkable story about how fitness has helped her to overcome her health challenges.
“My passion for fitness and making a difference was sparked by my own experience of overcoming adversity and health challenges. It led to a personal transformation journey, shaping and strengthening my mindset, body and life in the process.”
In 2002, aged 17, Jaina was struck down by a life-threatening illness. An allergic reaction to penicillin led to Jaina being diagnosed with a rare condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, which affects just one in three million people. Within two hours of taking the medication, she experienced horrific symptoms that spread across her body. The reaction left her in ICU for 12 days and resulted in losing 60% of her skin. She also suffered visual scarring and severe respiratory damage.
Within 12 months, Jaina had lost her sight and had part of her lung removed.
“I was determined to get my life back on track and through the trauma a new me emerged,” she said.
For years, however, she struggled to deal with her respiratory condition, at times struggling to climb a flight of stairs without extreme discomfort. Jaina knew that physical activity could help, but she chose to ignore the advice.
A turning point
In 2010, when following a long hospital admission due to a collapsed lung, she made an empowering decision.
“I decided to face my fears and get my life back on track again. I realised that change starts with me.”
She started working with a personal trainer in 2011 once a week. She hated it, but the drive to stay out of hospital and improve her quality of life kept her going. Over time, she noticed a positive difference, which inspired her to be more consistent with her training.
“Fitness became like a therapy to me. Today, I am a completely different person, much fitter, stronger and independent. I feel I have a natural affinity to be able to relate to people going through major challenges in life.”
An opportunity in adversity
Believing that in every adversity there is an opportunity, Jaina felt motivated to use her experiences to qualify as a gym instructor and most recently as a nutritional consultant.
“I feel even more determined to help other people to make positive changes in their lives. Now, I am pulling together almost 10 years of knowledge and experience to create a diet and healthy lifestyle programme for women.”
Jaina’s closing comment reminded everyone in attendance the power of sport and physical activity:
“Fitness has impacted my life in so many ways, from helping me to overcome challenges in life to opening up amazing doors of opportunity like today.”