Jitesh Chhabria is in the mobile fitness industry as the era of the quantified self evolves
What’s your story?
As a kid I was asthmatic. So dusty outdoors and physical exertion was not permitted. But technology was my saviour in the form of video games which gave me many breathtaking experiences which I would have otherwise missed out. Later, I got myself into home workouts, swimming, basketball and finally beat asthma but the idea of delivering amazing interactive experiences with technology has stayed with me. So I kickstarted my career as a game developer learning the art of blending beautiful design with intuitive technologies and I am now focused on building the best mobile fitness experience with Koach TV.
What excites you most about your industry?
Mobile fitness is big and it’s only getting better. With fitness trackers and smartwatches becoming mainstream the era of the quantified self has truly begun. People understand the value of health data and millions are using it to change habits and lead healthier lives.
But this is only the beginning and lots of gaps need to be filled to make these tracking technologies user friendly and to help people form long-term fitness habits. One such gap is great fitness content where most mobile fitness solutions are failing. There is a huge market for quantified and interactive fitness content which remains to be captured.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I have been based out of Asia for my entire career, first in India and now in Hong Kong.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Undoubtedly, Hong Kong. Great city to bridge the west and east, hardware and software, India and China and so much more. Endless possibilities.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“..trusting your gut is a learned ability,” given to me by my mentor Mr. Po Chi Wu, who is a veteran venture capitalist, entrepreneur and educator. He laughed and then said this to me when telling me to “trust my gut.” Ironic truth.
Who inspires you?
All of life. Every moment, everything around us and everything within us, can be inspiring. It’s only a matter of awareness.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
was blown away when I recently learnt from the Clinton/Trump presidential debates that it costs the US a staggering 7 million USD per prisoner per year at Guantanamo Bay.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I have made my mistakes, training the gut, you see. I would have launched Koach TV a lot earlier and dedicated a lot more time to my physical and spiritual health.
How do you unwind?
Letting go through meditation, enjoying the wind and waves at a beach and getting pampered by the folks.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
I absolutely love the rainforests in Wayanad, Kerala. There is nothing more purifying than the cool smell of freshness, life and green in the air!
Everyone in business should read this book:
Read as many as you can! I’m currently in love with this one : Hooked – How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal.
Shameless plug for your business:
Bored of fitness apps with looping exercise animations/clips that give no results? Want something to look forward to everyday? Go sign-up for Koach TV (http://koach.tv) where new, fun and personal workouts are being added every day with no-fuss fitness tracking even without any expensive tracker.
How can people connect with you?
Email me: [email protected]
Twitter handle?
@jitchh
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
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Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
