One of my major turning points came in 1990 when I joined The Oberoi, Mumbai, as the health club manager. For the next five years I learnt the ropes of the fitness business. I also interacted with the hotel’s management which completed my grooming.

After this, I designed a programme called Learn Swimming in 24 Hours, which featured in the Limca Book of Records in 1995. It took beginners through the paces of swimming and guaranteed they learned to swim within 24 hours. This put me in the limelight.

I also became the trainer and prime contributor to the fitness regimens of Miss India contestants who went on to win titles— Diana Hayden won in 1997 and Yukta Mookhey in 1999. In 2000, India had a triple win at the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific pageants won by Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza respectively. I was lauded as their trainer.

Another high was becoming Nita Ambani’s trainer in 1997. My clients include industrialists like Kumar Mangalam Birla and Anil Ambani.

Six years ago I launched a chain of fitness centres called Mickey Mehta 360° Gym in Mumbai along with actor Anil Kapoor. It has six gyms in Mumbai and we hope to set up in other Indian cities as well.

Recently, I became the brand ambassador of a high-tech exercise machine that costs upwards of Rs 1 crore by a German brand. This too has been a turning point as I think it’s an acknowledgement of all that I have achieved.

(As told to Saimi Sattar)