Mind Over Money: Building unity through wellness; Himanshu Kohli’s visionary ’21 days fitness challenge’

In the fast-paced world of wealth management, where the demands of the industry can often overshadow personal well-being, Himanshu Kohli, Co-founder of Client Associates, stands as a beacon of holistic leadership.

Recognizing the intrinsic link between physical health and professional success, Himanshu initiated the ’21 Days Fitness Challenge’ at Client Associates—a groundbreaking initiative designed to foster unity, vitality, and excellence among his team.

More than just a mere event, the ’21 Days Fitness Challenge’ embodies Himanshu’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a culture of holistic well-being within his organization.

Inspired by the belief that it takes 21 days to form a habit, Himanshu envisioned a challenge that would not only improve the physical health of his team members but also uplift their spirits and enhance their performance in the workplace. Edited Excerpts –

Thanks for being part of the segment Himanshu. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while juggling professional commitments and personal health priorities?

We all have only 24 hours daily, so effective time management is critical to maximizing productivity. If you know your priorities in life, you can do everything you wish to, which will not just bring happiness to you but also spread positivity to those around you.

At this stage in life, my five priorities are health, family, profession, passions, and friends. These are like my five fingers, which keep me happy, and I ensure that my professional commitments do not overshadow them.

I begin my day early and engage in physical activity at least 3-4 times weekly. As we are a wealth management platform providing total wealth solutions to India’s wealthy and ultra-wealthy families, meetings often coincide with sports activities like golf and tennis or evening dinners.

Prioritizing my time for both professional and personal responsibilities has helped me maintain a good work-life balance all these years.

Tell us a little about yourself and what prompted you to start Client Associates?

I am a seasoned professional with nearly three decades of experience in Investment Banking and Private Banking.

My journey includes working with esteemed institutions such as Deutsche Bank Private Banking, DSP Merrill Lynch, and London Forfaiting Group, where I honed my expertise in the financial world.

I believe in corporate social responsibility and am very passionate about philanthropy. I currently serve on the Governing Board of Vidya School, which provides advanced and excellent academic and co-curricular facilities to underprivileged children.

Giving back to society runs in the family, as my wife has been teaching underprivileged children for more than 17 years now.

Our decision to start Client Associates was driven by a vision to revolutionize India’s Family Office concept in 2002.

We wanted to build a team of private bankers dedicated to serving the wealthy and affluent families across the country.

This vision helped us pioneer the concept of a “Family Office” in India, and today, we are India’s first and largest Multi-Family Office Firm, built firmly on the foundation of the 3Ts: Trust, Talent, and Transparency.

What motivated you to prioritise home-cooked meals? Is there any particular diet that you follow?

I have a strong inclination towards home-cooked meals due to my frequent travels for work, which often involve dining out.

This has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the simplicity and authenticity of home-cooked food. I usually host dinners for my friends and colleagues’ families, relishing the joy of sharing a meal prepared with love.

In terms of diet, I focus on incorporating rich protein sources into my meals, especially during lunch. I prefer rice as a staple, complementing it with a variety of protein-rich dishes.

Additionally, I prioritize consuming fruits daily before noon to maintain a balanced diet. Being Punjabi, I am fond of non-vegetarian dishes like chicken curry and prawn curry. With vegetarian options, I enjoy dishes like Rajma Rice and Chana curry.

You mentioned practising mindfulness and regular health check-ups. How do these practices benefit you both professionally and personally?

As far as mindfulness is concerned, my regular walks help me reflect on the day and gain different perspectives and new insights on many things that are a part of my professional responsibilities.

Self-reflection and introspection are two great habits that I have acquired through constant practice over the years. They give me a lot of inner peace and help to spread positive energy around me.

Practising gratitude is something I do regularly, and I do make it a part of my monthly chronicle because when I look at our adventurous journey over the last many years, I have nothing to complain about but so much to be grateful for.

Hence, practising mindfulness has helped me to maintain a calm demeanour when there have been challenges and made me an eternal optimist with the firm belief that this, too, shall pass; while at the time of celebrating milestones, I am telling myself and my team that the best is yet to come.

As I mentioned, health is my first priority at this stage; hence, regular health check-ups are part of my schedule. I ensure I maintain high energy levels year-round by having a healthy mind in a healthy body.

As an Organization, we also instill in our people the value of staying fit, which will help us develop into a robust and healthy organization.

Even during the COVID days, when many of our people were trying to survive the virus, my message was to concentrate primarily on their health, and subsequently, everything would fall into place.

Dancing is a stress-relieving activity for you. How did you discover this as a stress management technique? Is there any particular style that you follow?

I discovered dancing as a stress management technique through my philosophy of ‘Celebrating Life,’ which is also reflected in Client Associates’ brand tagline, ‘Celebrate Life with Client Associates.’ We believe in encouraging our clients to celebrate their hard-earned wealth while we ensure it works for them.

Dancing, for me, is a way to pump up feel-good endorphins and other natural neural chemicals that boost my sense of well-being. It’s a joyful activity that allows me to unwind and de-stress, making it an integral part of my weekly or monthly routine.

These days I am learning a dance form “Salsa” and the plan or challenge is to travel to Goa in August and perform over there.

Tennis, racquetball, and golf seem to be your preferred sports for maintaining physical fitness. Could you discuss how these activities contribute to your overall health and well-being?

I grew up dreaming of becoming a sportsperson but didn’t get the opportunity to pursue my passion. Life instead had a different plan, and I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey and built an admirable wealth management platform in the country.

But my love for sports has remained strong, and despite my hectic schedule, I play sports three to four times a week. I also encourage my colleagues at Client Associates to choose a sport and practice it weekly.

Engaging in physical activities can improve memory and brain health, reduce the risk of diseases, lessen the chances of getting into depression and anxiety, take care of weight management, and strengthen bones and muscles; in short, it enhances our overall quality of life. With our busy lives, staying active is beneficial for our overall well-being.

From my young days, cricket used to be my favourite sport, but over the years, I have developed an interest in many other sports like table tennis, badminton, tennis, squash, racquetball, football, and golf.

Tennis and racquetball are my current favourites. Throughout my life, sportsmanship principles have contributed a lot to make me an eternal optimist and inspired me to be very disciplined in life and in the way we approach investments.

What inspired you to initiate and participate in the ’21 Days Fitness Challenge’ at Client Associates, and how do you believe it has impacted your team’s lifestyle habits?

The ’21 Days Fitness Challenge’ is not just an event but a reflection of our commitment to holistic well-being at Client Associates.

In the fast-paced world of wealth management, it’s easy to neglect our physical health amidst professional responsibilities. However, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, which is essential for success in our field.

The thought process behind starting this challenge is that it takes 21 days to develop a habit; hence, by following this challenge for 21 days, this healthy routine will become a habit and a permanent part of our lifestyle.

This healthy practice will not just improve our health but also increase our energy levels and boost our mood. In this way, we as a team can always stay optimistic, which is a significant factor in ensuring our clients have a fruitful investment journey.

In 2023, we hosted the third edition of this challenge, dividing our team into groups to encourage unity and healthy competition.

Participants earned points through various physical activities, from brisk walks to sports like tennis and badminton, emphasizing consistency over the 21 days.

This initiative has improved our team’s physical health and strengthened our bond as colleagues. One of the most rewarding aspects of the challenge is witnessing the transformation in our team’s energy and enthusiasm.

As we announce the winning team and runners-up on the 22nd day, the sense of achievement and unity is palpable throughout the office.

It’s moments like these that reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture of well-being and excellence at Client Associates.

You mentioned admiring Sachin Tendulkar and Warren Buffet. How have their qualities influenced your professional approach and leadership style?

Admiring Sachin Tendulkar and Warren Buffett has been a cornerstone of my professional approach and leadership style.

From Sachin, I’ve learned the importance of dedication, consistency, and humility despite achieving great success. His work ethic, discipline, and ability to handle pressure have inspired me to approach my work with the same commitment and focus.

On the other hand, Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy has deeply influenced my approach to wealth management.

His emphasis on long-term value investing, patience, and the importance of continuous learning resonates with me. I strive to apply these principles in my decision-making process, whether managing investments or leading a team.

Overall, Sachin Tendulkar’s and Warren Buffett’s qualities serve as guiding lights in my professional journey, reminding me to stay grounded, be committed to excellence, and always strive for continuous improvement.

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