Baiju Chaliyil’s weightloss story is a staunch testament of sheer determination and grit.
By Bidipta Das
When the world came to a standstill during the pandemic, for one individual, it wasn’t just a pause – it was a turning point. As many succumbed to sedentary lifestyles, excessive screen time and mindless eating, Baiju Chaliyil found himself on a dangerous path. Weighing in at 93 kg and facing looming health concerns, he decided to reverse course. Today, he stands as a beacon of fitness and resilience, having transformed his body into peak condition, completing the prestigious New York City Marathon, and inspiring thousands through his journey.
It all started with an unsettling realisation!
“Every morning, I’d wake up with back pain,” he recalls. “I felt sluggish, weighed down by bad habits that had formed over months of isolation.” The doctors’ verdict was alarming: high cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, and a future that seemed destined for daily medication. At 44, this was a harsh reality check. The clock was ticking, and he knew it was time to act.
But the path to transformation wasn’t easy.
“Every single day felt like a battle,” Baiju admits. “Eating the same bland food, working out intensely, and still having to manage my business travels—there were moments I wanted to give up.” He recalls the endless repetition of meals—chicken breast, egg whites, carefully measured rice portions—while fighting the temptation of late-night indulgences. “It wasn’t just physical. Mentally, it was exhausting.”
Surely this change didn’t come overnight! “I started small, real small,” he admits. He began doing basic exercises at home. Push-ups, high knees, and jumping jacks replaced the binge-watching and unhealthy snacks that had become his routine. “The first 4 kg I lost felt like a win, but I knew I had a long way to go,” says Baiju reflecting on his arduous journey.
It wasn’t just about weight loss anymore—it was about reclaiming his life.
As restrictions lifted and gyms reopened, he sought professional guidance and crossed paths with Javed Sayed, a transformation coach and former Mr. Mumbai.
It was under Coach Javed Sayed’s mentorship that the transformation truly took shape. Coach Javed, a seasoned fitness expert with 16 years of experience and a member of the International Federation of Bodybuilding, recognized his potential right away. “Baiju was one of the most consistent individuals I’ve ever trained,” Coach Javed recalls. “I quickly identified his strengths and weaknesses and tailored a plan that would challenge him, yet suit his goals.”
From the very beginning, Coach Javed instilled what he called a ‘monk mentality’ in Baiju, guiding him through early morning sessions and rigorous advanced training that pushed him to his limits. Resistance training became the foundation of Baiju’s workout regime, focusing on building not just strength but endurance and overall conditioning. “It wasn’t just about getting in shape,” Coach Javed explained. “It was about preparing his mind and body for the long term, making him capable of tackling a challenge like the New York City Marathon.”
This marked the true beginning of his transformation. “Javed wasn’t just a coach—he was a mentor,” acclaims Baiju, recalling their gruelling sessions together. “I had never lifted weights seriously before, but under his guidance, I began to see my body change in ways I never imagined.”
A transformation of this magnitude required more than just sweat in the gym. His wife played a pivotal role, becoming both his biggest cheerleader and nutrition coach. “My diet was stripped to the basics—lean proteins, complex carbs, and strict portion control. Chicken breast, egg whites, and carefully measured rice portions became the staples of his diet. Gone were the late-night indulgences; in their place, discipline reigned supreme.”
Within three months, Baiju was a new man. The fat was melting away, replaced by lean muscle, and a steely resolve. Over the course of ten months, he went from 93 kg to a lean 65 kg, unveiling a sculpted body that even included six-pack abs. “The abs were something I never thought I’d have, even in my wildest dreams,” he laughs.
But his transformation wasn’t just skin-deep. He was driven by a newfound energy and sense of purpose that led him to take on another seemingly impossible challenge: running the New York City Marathon. At the age of 46, with no prior running experience, this was an audacious goal. “Running was never my thing. I was starting from scratch,” he recalls.
Yet, with the same tenacity he applied to his fitness regime, he began training rigorously for the 42-kilometer marathon. By November 2021, he was standing at the starting line in New York, surrounded by thousands of seasoned runners. “It was surreal. The energy, the anticipation—it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.”
Crossing the finish line in 4 hours and 11 minutes, he not only conquered the marathon but also silenced the doubts that once plagued him. “It was the culmination of everything I’d worked for—proof that I could push my limits and come out victorious.”
But he didn’t stop there. Now, at 48, with his sights set on Ironman Dubai, he’s proving that age is just a number and that the pursuit of personal greatness is ongoing. “Ironman is the next big challenge, and I’m all in,” he says with determination.
His story, shared across social media has since gone viral, amassing a community of over 14,000 followers on Instagram. “The response has been overwhelming,” he says. “People from all over the world have reached out, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know that my journey is helping others start theirs.”
When asked what advice he’d give to those embarking on their own fitness journeys, his answer is clear: “There’s no magic formula—start small, stay committed, and embrace the process. Transformation isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Once you realize that, the possibilities are endless.”
As he continues to push boundaries, his story remains a testament to the power of grit, discipline, and the human spirit’s capacity for reinvention. In an era defined by uncertainty, he has emerged stronger, faster, and more determined than ever before, proving that with the right mindset, any challenge can be conquered.
