Chennai: One for the kitchen, one for the soul. This is the mantra S Manimaran (31) lives by. He goes fishing into the deep waters of Elliots beach to earn for his family, however, he continues to keep at his passion for body building.
A resident of Besant Nagar, Manimaran will soon join the contest for Mr Asia title scheduled for March 2019. He has been training as a body builder for the past 15 years.
At the age of 15, when he saw his cousin working out and flexing his muscle, he was attracted to it. “I began training myself at Besant Nagar beach. I asked others for guidance: while some gave me valuable tips. a few others misguided me. It took five years for my body to get into shape. Later, a coach, who has a terrace gym in the neighbourhood, offered to help me. The same year, I won the Mr Chennai title.”
At competitions, he says a lot of politics play out, but with sheer hard work, he managed to stay afloat. He has won Mr Chennai title five times, Mr Tamilnadu title seven times and Mr South India, twice.
“I have bagged silver at Mr India competition and another year I came fifth,” he recalls with justifiable pride.
While working as a senior trainer at a popular gym, he has been coaching celebrities as well.
“I have trained actor and politician Sarathkumar and his wife Radhika. Others are Anand Raj, Riyas Khan and Babloo,” he lists out. Now he is the personal trainer of Daniel Balaji.
According to Manimaran, body building I a sport for the brave. “It is for the courageous. Only those who can work hard, sometimes you have to give up on salt, sugar and favourite food in order to show off your ripped muscles.”
Manimaran, who is 5 ft 10 inches, boasts of an eight pack ab. His daily diet includes 1 kg of steamed fish with limited masalas, oats and 15 egg whites.
But whatever happens, he will not give up his profession as fisherman. “I go to the sea at 5.30 am in my uncle’s boat and return by 10.30 am. It gives me a steady income as I cannot rely solely on body building,” he says.