SMKYA is a newly launched online platform that provides exercise and nutritional programmes for their subscribers.
The programme stands out in that it does not limit itself to just “fitness goals”, said Co-founder Samaakhya Gajanayake, a decorated athlete and fitness coach, sharing also that they “believe in helping people achieve their life goals by helping them build a fit body and strong mind!”
Samaakhya guarantees that through SMKYA, anyone anywhere can get access to the help and support they need to work on their health and fitness goals. With digital transformation taking place globally, the convenience and ease of this platform extends beyond the context of the pandemic to the usual hectic lifestyles and busy schedules even after.
We spoke to Samaakhya about how she got started, how she went from the country’s youngest Rowing National Champion and the only woman in Sri Lanka to be selected for the Olympic Qualifier Regatta, to being an entrepreneur and launching SMKYA, and what her brand can do for you.
What is SMKYA? How does it benefit people who subscribe to the brand/service?
SMKYA is an online platform that strives to provide people with more than just exercise and nutritional programmes. We help individuals build a fit body and a strong mind, to achieve not only their fitness goals, but also life goals through exercise, nutrition, and support.
Our group classes are ideal for those who like working out in groups or don’t have the motivation to get going by themselves. The classes are on weekdays at 7 p.m. and include a range of fun workouts suitable for beginners as well as those at more advanced levels. The workouts from Monday to Friday include:
- HIIT Mondays
- Circuit Tuesdays
- Winddown Wednesday (for muscle recovery and flexibility)
- Ab Thursdays
- Dance-fit Fridays
Our personalised options include a seven-day body reset, a 12-week elevate plan, and a 24-week revolution plan which consists of both exercise and nutritional guidance. We will guide you in picking out a plan that works best for your individual goals and guide you through the journey.
What was your inspiration behind creating this platform; was there a particular eureka moment that triggered its conception?
I knew I wanted to pursue my career in this field as I have always enjoyed coaching and helping people, especially through fitness and exercise. Then suddenly, with the outbreak of Covid-19, gyms closed, fitness classes stopped, and with people being confined to their homes, companies had to rethink their entire business model. Life just took a 180-degree turn overnight!
That’s when I realised that taking care of your body and striving to be strong and healthy is crucial no matter where you are or what situation you are faced with; being confined to your home shouldn’t prevent that. Then I had the idea to create a platform that didn’t limit people to a place or time. To make the idea more holistic and sustainable, I reached out to our nutritionist Oshara and worked out the details.
What do you genuinely hope to achieve from this initiative? What would you say to anyone who would like to join your programme but might be hesitant?
I genuinely want to help people become the best version of themselves. And this is possible through health, fitness, and the right attitude. I want to not only help people achieve their goals but also to build a community that helps each other, using fitness as a tool. As the famous quote goes: “You don’t have to be great to start. But you have to start to be great!”
So if you’re waiting for the perfect time to start working on your goals, remember, there is no such thing! The perfect time is the time you start, and that should be right now.
You have created the programmes you offer around a partnership with nutritionist Oshara De Silva. How important is that element to fitness and what does Oshara bring to the table?
SMKYA believes in taking a holistic approach to health and fitness. The strongest driver of success is the combination of physical training and balanced nutrition. Healthy, nutritious eating combined with challenging workouts will deliver noticeable results which will in effect motivate you to reach higher and perform better.
Oshara is a qualified nutritionist and an Australian-accredited clinical dietician. She believes in empowering people to make great food choices that fit in with their busy lives without the stress of unrealistic goals.
She and I work as a team to give our clients the best outcome for their effort. When an individual selects a plan, both of us will first spend time talking to them about what their aim/goal of taking up the programme is, in order to really understand our clients. Then Oshara and I will come up with a fitness and nutrition plan that will suit them best. We work together to personalise the plan and make it as effective as possible to get the best results.
You have gained a significant following on social media over the years. How has your audience and experience online influenced your brand and ultimate mission?
I wouldn’t say it is a large audience. Social media has such high potential to reach out to people globally and there’s a lot more room for me to grow in that sense!
So far, my marketing and branding have spread completely organically, and the audience I have currently has certainly been one of the key factors that helped me with promoting my brand. Engaging with people on social media has helped me understand different requirements and perspectives through questions and feedback I receive, which is very helpful when creating a lifestyle brand such as this. It has helped me build programmes and provide information on where their interests lie.
I am also so thankful that many have been so supportive towards my journey and the brand.
Do you think there is an urgent need for the service that you provide? If we were to say it is somewhat of a saturated market would you agree, and if so, how do you hope to set yourself apart?
Yes, I strongly believe personal health is an essential need. It has been so in the past and will continue to be relevant and essential in the future.
It’s true that there are many individuals out there who are providing a number of programmes, schedules, training advice, etc. But I don’t see this as a negative because the need for health and fitness support is massive. It is a vital area that is often neglected by many because of the kind of hectic lifestyle we lead. However, while it is important for people to focus on their health and fitness, it is also important that they are cautious when they choose a programme or coach because without the right guidance, you can do more damage than good, especially because of injuries, bad posture, etc. It is each person’s responsibility to select the right trainer with the right expertise.
Another thing people often forget is that in order to build a healthy lifestyle, you need to first master skills like commitment and self-discipline, which leads to self-confidence, motivation, and good mental health. So building health and fitness requires overall self-development, and if there are more people out there providing this support, I believe that’s a good thing!
Is this your first fitness-related business venture? How has the experience been so far and what can you say about the things you have learnt?
Yes, this is my first fitness-related business venture! However, I have been in the industry almost my entire life, starting from the age of five when I started sports in school, to becoming a 17-year-old double national colours woman in rowing and water polo, and finally to being a coach and fitness trainer. I first started coaching my school rowing team in 2016 and then the junior rowing team of the Colombo Rowing Club from 2018 to January 2020. I also have over two-and-a-half years of experience in coaching non-athletes in fitness and personal training.
The experience has been so fulfilling. There is always room to improve but most who have come on board are enjoying the journey and right now, that is my biggest motivator! It’s great to have celebrities like Yohani and Hirushi messaging me and asking me when the next session is, or sending pictures of them trying to stick to the lifestyle changes and giving feedback on how it’s helping them in their day-to-day life!
At the end of the day, what are your dreams for SMKYA? Do you wish for it to be a household name; what’s the end goal?
SMKYA aims to inspire people around the world to be unstoppable and more! We want to build a community across the globe that helps people to be the best version of themselves. This isn’t just a programme. This is a lifestyle!