Sucheta Pal is an achiever. An internationally acclaimed Zumba fitness trainer who’s been touted as India’s first female master trainer and athlete, she worked her wayup to where she is today. She battled depression and gave up a cushy job to follow her dreams. It wasn’t easy, but she stuck to her guns.

You went from a person who had social anxiety around people in your office to a celebrity trainer who hits the stage and teaches thousands. What shifted?

Actually, what shifted was finding my passion and discovering that anxiety happens when your energies are focused on yourself. When your energies are focused on adding value to people, whatever you’re suffering from, whether it’s a mental block or it’s a physical block, everything vanishes. I think that’s what helped me overcome my anxiety disorders and the high that I get after teaching, it’s like instant gratification.

Is it true that your mother-in-law, who is 64,is one among your many fans these days, having found a way to beat arthritic pain with zumba.

Not my class,she joined one of my instructors’ classes and is rocking it.What is special for me is to see a woman who has never worked out before actually rocking the stage with me on shows.

Plans for 2017?

Two things– I think my goal for this year is to take zumba fitness to the next level. We’re targeting second and third tier cities. For example, I was in Jammu last month to teach Army wives and they became zumba instructors. My third TV show is coming on Zoom, season 3 for zumba and I’m so excited for that, traveling through India and showing zumba stories, how people’s lives have changed.

Go-to song when you hit the floor?

Sia’sCheap Thrills.

2017 dance resolution?

Dance my heart out as if no one’s watching.

One move anyone can do, even with two left feet?

Has to be Bollywood thumka!

Happiness is?

Having a dress of dreams and fitting right into it.