Rajesh Desai, a 31-year-old health and fitness consultant who spent his early days in a transit camp, has been appointed on the committee of the World Association for Nutritional Professionals in Exercise and Sport.

The appointment was made at the recently-held International Sport Nutrition Safari in South Africa, attended by delegates from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada [Images], New Zealand [Images], Austria and South American countries.

Desai is a visiting international faculty for WHO-approved Alma-Ata University for Exercise Science. He is also the recipient of the Excellency Award from this University.

The main aim of this seminar was to enable networking among the sports dietitians around the world, establish worldwide standards and scope of practice of sports dietitians, accredit or publicize suitable sports nutrition courses and protect the public and the profession from unqualified practitioners.

After completing his Bachelors in Chemistry and Botany, Desai did a Nautilus certification program of Health & Fitness (UK). Apart from that he also completed ACSM (American Council on Sports Medicine) Work Shop and has passed the certification Exam of MIM of Sara City, USA (Exercise for Pre-natal and Post-natal women). He was also a boxing gold medallist at the Mumbai University Championships in 1996.

Desai is also a contributor to the Research and Development efforts of the SNDT University in the area of health and fitness and guest lecturer for strength training at Sports Nutrition Department of University. He contributes to research work carried out by Dr. K.S. Ray in the areas of effective nutrition and Exercise science. He was also one of the organizers for International seminar on "HWWE 2001" (Humanising work and Work Environment) conducted at IIT, Mumbai in December 2001 where eminent personalities from the international field of Health and Fitness attended.

Presently he is the managing director of the biggest fitness centre in the suburbs, EXERTECH FITNESS CENTRE at Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali (West), Mumbai. He also has a proven track record of being a successful proprietor of Health Spa Gymnasium situated at Saraf Chaudhari Nagar at Thakur Complex, Kandivali {E), from 1996.

Soon, Rajesh will set up a sate of the art gym spread over an area of 5,500 sqft and provide unique facilities like Cardio kick-boxing, Aqua Aerobics and Group fitness training. For someone who is just 31 and in spite of suffering hardships as a teenager and lack of financial backup, these achievements speak volumes of dedication, determination and sincerity towards work and Rajesh can definitely be a role model for anyone aspiring for growth.