Dubai resident Drisya Pai has transformed her personal journey of postpartum recovery and weight loss into a successful coaching career. After losing 20kg, she now helps other mothers tackle their postpartum challenges through tailored fitness programs.
Originally from Alleppey in Kerala, 29-year-old Drisya initially studied engineering and graduated from Mar Athanasius College of Engineering. While she was an active student who won the Kalathilakam title for arts and dance, fitness wasn’t a priority at first.
This changed when she joined the Indian Navy, which inspired her to focus on her health. In search of better job opportunities, Drisya moved to the UAE in 2018, married her husband Arvind in 2019, and had her son Dhruvaen in 2021.
The birth of her son brought significant challenges. Weighing 20 kilograms more than her pre-pregnancy weight, Drisya experienced severe back pain, postpartum loneliness, and even depression, made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She recalled, “I struggled to sit down for long periods to feed my baby or bend over to change diapers.”
Determined to improve her health, Drisya started researching postpartum fitness and quickly realized that standard workouts weren’t suitable for her.
“After four days of trying YouTube workouts, I had breast engorgement and couldn’t feed my baby. That’s when I knew I needed a specialized approach,” she told.
She then completed certifications in pre and post-natal fitness training and is now a level 4 personal trainer.
Personalized Coaching Approach
Drisya created a platform to share her journey and tips on postpartum fitness. Her coaching model offers customized, flexible programs focused on weight loss, fitness, and recovery.
One of her clients, Rajani, didn’t expect to lose weight when she started the program. She was worried about face fat and dark pigmentation on her neck, but after two months, she lost 9kg and saw a significant reduction in both concerns.
Gehan, a bride-to-be from Syria, reached her fitness goals for her wedding while training with Drisya. Gehan lost 7kg through a combination of personalized workouts and coaching.
Radhika, who struggled with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), didn’t know where to begin. In just 12 weeks, she achieved significant weight loss.
Support From Family
Drisya credits her husband, Arvind, for his support. “He encouraged me every step of the way. I went from being an estimation engineer to a woman with a vision but no clear plan. He helped me learn how to use my skills to help other women,” Drisya explained.
Looking ahead, Drisya aims to assist women with PCOS and those planning future pregnancies. She believes in sustainable fitness and advises mothers to find time for movement throughout the day rather than giving up on workouts if they miss their scheduled time.
Her advice is simple: “Exercise doesn’t need a strict schedule; it needs consistency. If you miss your set time to exercise, don’t abandon it completely. Make it up whenever you can. Portion control and a balanced diet alongside exercise are essential for a healthy body.”
