S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
Working Towards a Healthier and Happier 2021 WORDS BY MANTHRA KOLIYER
W
hen Indian poker player Ashutosh Balodhi, Spartan Poker’s Millionaire series winner told us that he lost 45 kgs in less than six months we were amazed at his perseverance. Like Balodhi, other poker players across the globe have taken several baby steps to stay fit during the pandemic. International poker star, and six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Daniel Negreanu, recently spoke about being fit and transforming himself despite being vegan. Steven Van Zadelhoff is another top international poker player who has time and again asked his fellow players to lead a healthy lifestyle. But aren’t poker players
the ones that sit in one spot and grind through the night? Yes, they are, but players these days have a different perspective towards fitness. Fitness not only refers to being physically fit and healthy but also involves mental wellness, a healthy diet, and flexibility. Though hitting the gym and sweating calories is always given priority, bringing about
minor changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns, intake of liquids, etc., is also seen to make a huge difference. The pandemic forced all poker players that were gym freaks to look for creative ways to workout from home. From lifting buckets of water to sacks of potatoes, they have tried it all! Ashutosh Balodhi is a prime example. He was
GUTSHOT
JANUARY
2021
15
