Sukhmani Samra Builds Global Fitness Community with ISSA

Sukhmani Samra's passion for fitness began on a basketball court in India, where she was making three-pointers before she even learned the fundamentals of layups. Today, as an ISSA Master Trainer splitting her time between Canada and India, she's transforming lives across continents while creating safe spaces for women in fitness.

Early Beginnings: An Athlete at Heart

"As a kid, I really loved sports," Sukhmani recalls. Her journey began unexpectedly when a coach spotted her natural talent. "I was just shooting from the middle of the court, and one of the coaches saw me and said, 'Hey, you're good at it. Why don't you come in for coaching tomorrow morning?'"

Despite being years younger than her teammates, Sukhmani's dedication led her to national competitions by sixth grade. "I played nine nationals and led the team as captain a couple of times," she proudly shares. Her impact extended beyond her own achievements, as she notes, "Even following my footsteps, my youngest sister went for nationals, and there were many school kids who got inspired."

Navigating Challenges and Finding a New Path

After high school, Sukhmani faced a challenge familiar to many former athletes—finding her next path. While pursuing her education in commerce, marketing, and management, she maintained her connection to fitness through gym workouts while building her career.

A significant turning point came when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. "I lost about 10-12 kgs of weight suddenly because of my health issues," she explains. The diagnosis was complicated by osteoporosis in her wrist due to medication.

Rather than letting these challenges define her limits, Sukhmani turned to fitness education as a solution. "I knew there was something missing in that puzzle," she says about her career journey. "When I completed the certification, I understood how science works and how my health was improving."

The ISSA Journey: From Scholar to Master Trainer

In 2024, while at her lowest point, Sukhmani applied for the ISSA x Reign Total Body Fuel Scholarship. "Suddenly I got an email saying I was selected, and I was like, 'Oh my god, what just happened?'" she remembers. "It was the best day of my life because I had goals, but I had lost track because of what was happening during my health and wellness journey."

Since becoming an ISSA x Reign Scholar, Sukhmani has achieved an impressive array of certifications:

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

• Senior Fitness Specialist

• Yoga Instructor

• Glute Specialist

• Strength and Conditioning Coach

• Nutrition Coach

These comprehensive certifications have not only helped her rebuild her own strength but have transformed her approach to coaching. "Through strength training and exercising alone, I can reverse [osteoporosis]," she explains. "Now I can even do 15-20 push-ups and I'm almost at the verge of kicking a handstand."

Creating Safe Spaces for Women in Fitness

Drawing from her own experiences, Sukhmani is particularly passionate about creating welcoming environments for women in fitness. "Sometimes they get intimidated when there are men around," she observes.

Her vision includes specialized group classes: "I want to host a class just for women where they can learn how to do push-ups, how to do squats even without weights. They can just know what exactly they can do at home."

This mission extends to her online presence, where she's built a following of over 400,000 across platforms. Through her YouTube channel and Instagram accounts, she educates women about strength training, yoga, nutrition, and calisthenics.

The Global Impact of ISSA Education

Sukhmani emphasizes how the ISSA curriculum has empowered her practice across continents. Whether working with clients in Canada or at Anytime Fitness in India, the knowledge she's gained translates universally.

"It's a really good curriculum and it's really understandable," she notes. "It's not something a person won't understand if they're 18 years old or 58 years old. The way it's portrayed through videos and pictures and exercises is remarkable. It didn't feel like I'm studying - it felt like I'm getting knowledge that is going to change my life. And it did, actually."

Her approach to fitness has been fundamentally shaped by her ISSA education. "My goal right now is to change as many lives as I can," she states. This aligns perfectly with ISSA's mission to lead 100 million people to the power of healthy living, one trainer at a time.

Looking Forward: A Mission of Empowerment

Despite facing significant health challenges, Sukhmani's journey embodies resilience and transformation. Now at a healthy weight (up 10kg following her illness), she continues to build strength while helping others do the same.

"I gained back 10 kgs. I still am on the journey," she shares. "We are back on track but with more muscle, and I feel healthier."

Whether teaching in person or reaching millions through her online platforms, Sukhmani Samra demonstrates how ISSA's international reach is transforming lives across borders, one certified trainer at a time.

Ready to follow in Sukhmani's footsteps? Learn more about ISSA's globally recognized fitness certifications and start your journey today. From personal training to specialized courses in yoga, nutrition, and strength conditioning, ISSA offers the education you need to transform lives around the world.