From Watchman to Celebrity Trainer: Vinod Channa's Inspiring Fitness Journey
Celebrity fitness trainer Vinod Channa recently shared his remarkable life story. He currently works with the Ambani family and has trained some of Bollywood's biggest stars. His client list includes Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, and Shilpa Shetty.
Humble Beginnings in Mumbai
Vinod Channa comes from a working-class background in Mumbai. He started his professional life as a watchman. During a chat with Hindi Rush, he revealed his early struggles.
"I never imagined in my life that I would stand in front of Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan as a trainer," Vinod said. "Growing up, I never used to wear slippers. I come from a very poor family in Dadar, Lalbaug where you see typical working class people."
He got his first job at Peddar Road. That experience opened his eyes to a different world. "That's when I realised people also stay so lavishly and have such big houses. That's something we'd never seen before," he recalled.
Fifteen Years of Bodybuilding Dedication
Vinod spent nearly fifteen years dedicated to bodybuilding before entering celebrity fitness. He started as a trainer at a Mumbai gym. Slowly, he built his expertise and reputation.
"I did bodybuilding for 15 years before becoming a celebrity fitness trainer," Vinod explained. "When you work hard for 10–15 years, then you get opportunity like this. You need a lot of training and knowledge, because you cannot make any mistake."
Many aspiring trainers ask him for advice. "Many people ask me how can they become a trainer like me who charges in lakhs and they are only one and two month old in training," he said.
The Bold Move to Bandra
After twelve years at the same gym, Vinod made a bold decision. He moved on, taking his clients with him. He sought better pay and bigger opportunities. Vinod shifted to Bandra, fully aware of the risks involved.
"I shifted to Bandra for better fees and also hoping that I would get celebrity client," he recalled.
The move proved to be a turning point. As a former bodybuilder, Vinod got recognized by a Bandra gym manager. That manager gave him a chance.
"I started from zero in Bandra with no clients," Vinod shared. "Whoever I used to find in gym, I used to train them. Then a relative of Riteish Deshmukh spotted me and he recommended me to Riteish Deshmukh."
He later travelled the world with the actor. This experience helped build his reputation further.
Peak Years and Financial Success
Through perseverance and relentless work, Vinod became one of the industry's most popular trainers. He recalled his peak years, including training John Abraham for the movie Force.
"I was at the peak of my career at that time I was charging Rs 25,000 per hour," Vinod revealed. "At that time, Ananya Birla also approached me, and they would give me a higher amount."
During that phase, Vinod worked nearly around the clock. "I was working for 16 hours per day," he added.
The hard work paid off handsomely. "I bought 5-6 homes. I bought a gym for Rs 15 crore," Vinod shared proudly.
Lessons from an Extraordinary Journey
Vinod Channa's story shows what determination and hard work can achieve. His journey from Mumbai's streets to training Bollywood royalty inspires many. He proves that background doesn't determine destiny when combined with passion and persistence.
The fitness trainer's experience teaches valuable lessons about professional growth. It demonstrates the importance of taking calculated risks and building expertise over time. Vinod's success came through years of dedicated effort, not overnight.
