The fastest growing protein brand, Innermost is on a mission to change the game with nutrition products inspired by real life. We caught up with founder Shivraj Bassi to chat 2020, a cultural reckoning in wellness and the most common health myths out there.
What does wellness mean to you?
For me, wellness is the process of making choices that ultimately lead to you looking, feeling and performing your best, whoever and wherever you are on your journey. I’m a big believer that a holistic approach to physical and mental wellbeing is the surest path to realising our wellness goals and living a more inspired life.
Who, or what, inspired you to found Innermost?
I was raised in a household where food was regarded as having the ability to affect your health in tangible ways. Some of my earliest memories are of helping my mother pick out exotic herbs and spices, which she’d combine into amazing health-giving recipes. Growing up, I developed an interest in fitness, which brought those two parts of my life together.
I’ve used nutritional supplements in the past but I always felt there was a gap between what I wanted to put into my body versus what was available. I felt the market was calling out for a smarter and more effective approach that solved people’s health and fitness needs.
“Some of my earliest memories are of helping my mother pick out exotic herbs and spices, which she’d combine into amazing health-giving recipes.”
What are the highlights of your weekly wellness regime?
I like to work out first thing most mornings, generally on an empty stomach with a little help from our pre-workout, The Energy Booster. My workouts are pretty varied and I like to keep my body off-balance through HIIT workouts, functional movements, lifting weights and playing sports. I also enjoy cooking healthy recipes for friends and family, or making healthy smoothies. I’ve got two smoothie recipes that I’ve perfected over time that I’m proud of and are pretty hard to beat. Insider tip: The Strong Protein and almond butter are a match made in heaven.
2020 has been a cultural reckoning. What do you think the wellness industry could do better when it comes to anti-racism and inclusivity?
Greater inclusivity, equality and equity are important in all sectors, and I certainly think more can be done within the wellness industry. I’d love to see greater representation of people from all backgrounds, seeing a wider range of skin and body types, and efforts to engage with a more diverse range of people. I think finding ways to address unconscious bias is also important. Inclusivity is one of our core brand pillars at Innermost and we’re always thinking about how we can communicate this message.
Did you find it difficult to stay healthy during lockdown?
It was definitely harder but getting into a routine was the key for me. I made a decision pretty early on that I would do regular workouts at home. It took time to adjust to it but I stuck with it. The weather was pretty good during lockdown and I was lucky enough to have a garden so I did a lot of HIIT workouts to keep my fitness ticking over. It was easier to occasionally snack on things I shouldn’t be snacking on when at home but life is all about balance.
What’s your number one piece of advice to help someone stay healthy?
Experiment to find what works for you and do things that make you happy. Don’t set unrealistic goals and don’t fall into the trap of measuring yourself against somebody else. We’re all different and that’s what makes life interesting.
Squeezing in a second tip, make it easier for yourself. Nutritional supplements are a great, easy way to reach your nutritional needs everyday and take the pressure off hitting your macros during each meal. I’d also recommend stocking up on products to help speed up recovery and boost your energy so you can maintain a consistent workout routine.
What common myths about health do you wish you could dispel forever?
That living a healthy lifestyle is only for a certain type of person. At Innermost, we believe that better health and wellbeing is for everyone. Representation and inclusivity are really important to us as a brand, and we don’t want anybody to feel that they’re not included in the conversation.
To learn more about Innermost, you can find them here. For an exclusive 15% off, use the code URBAN-15.