The story of digital content creator and fitness trainer Aditya Vashisht portrays the unpredictability of life. From battling and overcoming a rare neurological disorder at 26 to becoming a fitness trainer and now a full-time content creator, he along with his partner Varsha have come a long way. The duo, currently known for their relatable reels on Instagram, have not had it easy. But what kept them going is not just their belief and individual willpower, but their strong support for each other through tough times. In an exclusive interview with OnlyMyHealth, the couple looks back at the most challenging time of their lives, while expressing gratitude for how far they have come.
Young And Fit, But Life Had Other Plans For Aditya
When you’re in your 20s, enthusiastic about fitness and mindful of your lifestyle choices, you’re less likely to worry about your health. Aditya had the same thought. He never imagined that at 26, with his fitness level, he would have to battle one of the rarest diseases called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
"I was a completely healthy and normal person and then, all of a sudden, I got up with a fever, followed by a gum disease. I couldn't eat or drink, my mouth didn't open properly, the gum flap got swollen, and due to the fever, I had diarrhoea. It just continued to escalate and I started feeling very weak. But since I was a fit individual, I didn't feel low," he said.
However, when the fever did not subside and went on and off for 10-15 days, he underwent a series of tests, but with no definite answers. Miraculously one day, he had no fever and decided to go out and meet his friend. But soon after, he felt extreme fatigue, which he thought was due to the fever. But it was nothing like he had ever experienced before, he said. The next day, he fell for the first time. "I couldn't get back up on my feet on my own. My father and my brother had to help me up. My legs gave up first, which is when we decided to visit the doctor," he remembers.
The Realisation
It took a long time for Aditya to figure out what he was suffering from. One day, while brushing, he realised he had lost his facial senses. “I couldn’t rinse my mouth; the water was just splattering out and my mouth couldn’t hold it,” he said. By then, he knew it was something neurological and serious and was taken to the hospital.
Aditya shares that they arrived at the emergency at 9 am and received the diagnosis at around 5-6 pm. The medications started after 4-5 hours of diagnosis. “It was a long process,” he sighs, adding, “Today, people are becoming more aware of this condition and post-COVID, I have seen that there has been a rise in GBS. I have received a few comments saying that the condition can be easily diagnosed. Back in 2018, it was different. Nobody could diagnose it."
Understanding Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Dr Praveen Gupta, Director and Unit Head-Neurology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, defines Guillain-Barre Syndrome as an infrequent nerve disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system. According to him, it is caused by the body's immune cells attacking the nerves, leading to swelling in the nerve membrane and damage to nerve axons.
“The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it often occurs after a viral or bacterial infection which activates the immune system,” he said, adding that the symptoms of GBS can progress rapidly for days to weeks. The common manifestations include muscle weakness or paralysis starting in the legs and ascending to the arms and upper body, loss of reflexes, tingling or numbness in the extremities, difficulty walking, difficulty with facial movements or swallowing.” In severe cases, difficulty in breathing may also be a possibility.
Recovery, Support, And Willpower - All Go Hand In Hand
According to Dr Gupta, immunomodulation with plasmapheresis or Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the primary treatment for GBS. IVIG is a product made up of human antibodies, which help manage various immunodeficiency states.
Aditya says that five days after being injected with IVIG, he saw some difference. Although it wasn't significant, he was happy to make progress.
“Most people with the condition do experience a significant recovery. With appropriate medical care, around 80-90% of individuals with GBS make a full recovery over time. However, the recovery process can be slow, ranging from weeks to months or even years in some cases,” said Dr Gupta.
It took Aditya a long time to fully recover, but his willingness to recover is what made the process easier. He attempted to stand up time and again and failed several times, but in his wife’s words, it was his ‘willpower’ that fought against all odds. Varsha, also a budding influencer, said, “I was shattered when the doctor first told me about his condition. I cried my heart out in the hospital. But then I realised that crying won’t help. I told myself that I shouldn’t cry in front of him and that we have to get back. The doctor told us that recovery was difficult, but not impossible. So we did not lose hope.”
Almost five years later, Aditya continues to follow a healthy lifestyle, one that involves regular workouts and indulging in wholesome foods. He said, "My point of view regarding fitness is different now. Back in the day, before suffering from the condition, I was more enthusiastic about looking good. I had more protein, eggs and all of that. But today, what has changed is that I see fitness as a holistic thing. Fitness is not just about building muscles or looking good. It's more about feeling good from the inside. My workouts are now different from what they used to be. I don't push myself to do one thing, but try all kinds of exercises including cardio, weight training, and flexibility training."
Furthermore, he emphasises keeping his diet as natural as possible. “We try not to eat anything from outside. I follow a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruits and nothing processed. I have even replaced the flour and oil that you get from the market. Having said that, I have lost a lot of weight since then. I was a very big guy, weighing around 103 kg. Now I am 78-79 kg, almost 25 kg down,” he celebrated.
A Look Back At The Couple’s Journey
From being college mates to lifelong soulmates, Aditya and Varsha's relationship has been an inspiration for many young couples.
Giving us a glimpse of their journey, he shared, "We were very good friends and connected so well. The support she gave me, the support I gave her, was very mutual. We loved each other's company. And so we decided to give it a shot. Somewhere inside, we were very content with each other, and soon after, following several challenges, we got married.”
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On being asked about their content creation journey, he said, "Varsha was always into acting. She has been so good at this. I was always camera shy. I just used to support her in whatever she was doing. But I was never into it. I pursued fitness instead and indulged in it full-time. But now, with the baby and family, I have decided to step back and give them time."
"I'm happy doing content now. She [Varsha] got me into this. She dragged me into this and cheered me on. I'm very grateful for that because if she wasn't there, I might never have thought about it,” he added.
A Final Word
“Life is unpredictable, never take anything for granted,” said Aditya. According to the digital content creator, anything can happen to you, you're not invincible, you're not bulletproof. But if you have the support of your near and dear ones, if you support them in return, nothing can hamper you. I have seen the worst cases. I have seen people who have lots of health issues, but with support, everything is achievable.”