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India Harl / Q&A

28th July 2020

Community Fitness

28th July 2020

By Robyn Schaffer

India is a full-time model but a passion for health and fitness drove her to become a part-time trainer at F45 on the side. India doesn't let anything get in the way of her smashing her goals, and we've loved seeing how she's adapted her busy lifestyle over lockdown to continue to reach them. We caught up with her to find out what she's been up to.

"Health and fitness has become a huge part of my life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It brings me focus, new goals, a positive outlook and BIG-level energy. Working in the modelling industry, it’s always important to look your best – but fitness does more than that, it makes you feel good too! What’s more important than health, right? Healthy body, healthy mind!" - India

What’s your hustle?

I've got many hustles. I'm a full-time model, which is something I've always done and have the biggest passion for. I work with brands on Instagram and create content. But I'm also really passionate about health and fitness, so last year I came on board as a part-time PT for F45. Those are my main lanes.

What does #liveinnermost mean to you?

It brings purpose to the day. It motivates me to workout because I know I can have the products before or after. It’s a lifestyle, and since I've been really on board with health and fitness it's become a way for me to live my life to its fullest capacity.

Favourite Innermost products and why?

I'm obsessed with anything vanilla flavour right now. So I'm loving The Fit Protein in Vanilla and The Lean Protein in Chocolate. I'll have them every single day as I'm trying to increase my protein intake at the moment. They fit into my lifestyle perfectly, and they taste amazing.

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country girl behaviour

A post shared by I • R • H (@indiaharl) on

 

Why is staying fit and healthy important to you?

It's always something to work towards. There's always so many goals you can set yourself in health and fitness. You're never going to reach the maximum, and even if you fall off the track one day, you can get straight back on it the next. It helps me wake up early, and it brings community. I've met so many new friends, whether it's through Innermost, F45, or any aspect of the fitness world.

Any current goals, fitness or otherwise?

In the short term, I'm trying to tone up and lose a little bit of body fat. But long term I want to build more strength, and now gyms are open again I want to figure out a new style of workout routine. It's really important to get back in the gyms and support their openings. I'm just really excited to try some new things in health and fitness.

How did you find lockdown? Was it a challenge and if so, how did you adapt?

It was important to me to find a routine early on and that was so important for providing me with structure to my days. I would workout in the mornings (I'm a morning person) knowing that I would feel amazing after. But it was also nice knowing I had the time to commit to something. That time you had was yours.

It was difficult dealing with lots of cancelled photoshoots. A lot of work was cancelled, but there was a way to try and turn the situation around. Because I do work with brands on Instagram I was able to continue with those kinds of jobs. But I actually created a home studio with parents and they were amazing at helping me out. My dad jumped on board as a photographer. You just have to try and do what you can and you've got to make it happen for yourself.

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waiting for my next Zoom call

A post shared by I • R • H (@indiaharl) on

 

How did you try to stay fit and healthy (mentally and physically) during lockdown?

I was in the countryside outside of London during lockdown, so I really upped my running and found a whole new motivation being out of the city. I also just tried to set daily intentions. So I'd wake up and say to myself: "Ok, today I will run a 10k." Putting the pressure on but not too much. It was about daily goals rather than long-term plans. And on other days, if I didn’t want to train I didn't. It was just about going with the flow.

What have you missed most over the past few months? 

Normality. The small, mundane things. The buzz of London and the day to day lifestyle. I'm never normally at home so to go from that to full lockdown was a big transition. I also miss travelling.

Any books, films or TV shows you’re currently obsessed with and why?

I reintroduced Prison Break back into my life. It was the best decision. I watched it originally a few years ago but my parents had never seen it. We were hooked. We watched maybe two or three episodes a night and did the whole thing. It became part of our routine and that became our thing which was really lovely.

 

What’s the most challenging thing you’ve ever done and how did you overcome it?

I think for me it's been any sort of work rejection and learning to deal with it. In modelling it’s tough. But I think that's something I can say I've overcome now and I've grown up and know what I need for myself to overcome it. I give myself a day to get over it. A day to sit on the sofa and cry and eat loads of ice cream and then I put it behind me. If you keep dragging it along with you then you can't move on. It's mindset training and it's really hard, but I'm getting there with it.

Who or what motivates you?

I love supporting other people’s successes. I think it's really important to admire and praise the people you love and get inspired by them. But I've always worked for myself and been a big believer in making things happen for yourself. You can never have dreams that are too small.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Not to worry about things that haven’t happened yet. And if you're stressed about something, ask yourself: in 10 years time will it really matter? I find that that brings you back down to earth.

If you want to see more from India, don't forget to follow her @indiaharl. And if you want to read more exclusive Q&As with Innermost Insiders, be sure to check them out here.

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