By Anumita Das

This summer, we once again had the honor of attending the world’s largest fitness convention: IDEA World. Our appearance at IDEA in 2014 left us awe-struck and exhilarated and our time there this year was no less of a non-stop thrill. From the minute we set up our booth, the entire convention buzzed with the energy of 12,000 rockstars from all over the world. We can think of no other occasion that has the power to bring together such a diverse and talented cornucopia of fitness enthusiasts. And despite the countless hours of work that went into our week in Los Angeles, once we were there, the lines between “convention for fitness professionals” and “massive, week-long dance party” slowly began to blur. We were met with nothing but support and respect from everyone we met. The interactions between fitness companies were laced not with rivalry, but with a sense of camaraderie and mutual support, because we were all gathered there not only to educate, but to celebrate the power of fitness to change people’s lives and bring people together.

IDEA World 2015 was more than just an opportunity to show off BollyX; it was a reminder of the immeasurable value of community. We always strive to create a supportive family among our network of instructors, and our proud sea of yellow at IDEA was certainly a sign of that. But we did not just find community in fellow BollyX members–we found it when we were rocking out with U-Jam, Rizzmic, Bombay Jam, and Werq at the Reebok dance party, we found it when countless other fitness enthusiasts showed off their rockstar poses at our photobooth, and we found it whenever people eagerly tried the Bollywood workout for the first time. IDEA World served as a valuable reminder that no matter how diverse our interests are, when we take the time and energy to support one another, we all get the opportunity to learn and thrive. Watch our recap video above for a first-hand look into our incredible experience at IDEA World 2015.

Anumita Das working at her desk at BollyX headquarters in NYC

By Anumita Das

Hi! I’m Anumita Das, and this summer I began my first internship at BollyX. As a rising junior at Boston College, most of my experiences with business have been restricted to cramming for finance exams on late Sunday nights or reading over yet another case study about Apple’s miraculous brand loyalty. Saying that my time at BollyX has been a departure from my schoolwork is a bold understatement. From plastering bright yellow flyers all over New York City storefronts to interviewing break dancers in Union Square, no day is ever exactly alike. The only common quality among all of my different experiences here is the infectious energy and passion of my coworkers. I first sensed this energy not when I entered the office on my first day of work or sat down for my first lunch with Minal, but months prior, when I tried my first BollyX class. The instructors were drenched in sweat within the first twenty minutes, and yet throughout the class they performed every leap and fist pump with the same lively bounce in their step and smile on their face. Normally when workouts refer to “intensity”, some part of me usually imagines disturbingly muscular men screaming in their trainees’ ears to do ten more push-ups, but BollyX brought intensity in a different form; it was more like a steady heat that emanated from the instructors, a sense of positivity and vibrancy that motivated every single person in the room to keep dancing despite the growing suspicion that their upper thighs might be sore the next day. I was immediately impressed by the obvious spirit of the company and wanted to put the same passion into my work that I saw in the instructors.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how much dedication I put into each e-mail or tweet I send to every potential new customer, I can definitely attest that there is something uniquely rewarding about getting replies from interested leads when you work for a startup that is still small enough to feel every inch of its growth. There is a satisfaction that comes with the knowledge that you’re doing work that will make a genuine contribution to the success of the company, not just busy work set aside for interns so they can write a single, over-embellished line on their resumes later. As an undergraduate, my future career endeavors are far from set in stone, but my time at BollyX has taught me that wherever I go, I want to always be surrounded by the kind of positivity that I have found at this company. The first piece of advice Minal ever provided me was to always seek out people who will motivate me. This summer, I definitely found people who give me the push I need to not only work hard, but also to think creatively, to venture beyond my comfort zone, and to always be confident in my ability to grow and succeed.