They say, “Age is just a number.” And 60-year-old fitness model cum bodybuilding champion Nishriin Parikh is a living example of this adage. This super-fit mother of two grown-ups is a real trailblazer. Nishriin isn’t just defying age; she’s rewriting what women can achieve in fitness and bodybuilding. Her bikini-clad confidence is not vanity but a statement of discipline, health, and empowerment.
Extraordinary Woman
While most women in their sixties complain of aches and pains, Nishriin is a living example of what the human body can achieve. She competes in the Fitness and Model category of bodybuilding. Her achievements speak volumes.
Her signature silver-blonde hair, worn proudly, defies beauty norms, showing ageing is not to be hidden, but celebrated. She has modelled for H&M, Myntra, Dove, and Carat Lane. Beyond fashion, she’s appeared in movies and OTT series such as Sunflower Season 2, Farzi, Tanhaji, Merry Christmas, and TV shows Wagle ki Duniya and Wheel of Fortune India (2026).
Age No Bar
At 50, when most women slow down, Nishriin chose to accelerate. “When I turned 50, I wanted to do something different. I stepped into the world of fitness modelling for the first time. I had to go up on stage and be assessed on my physique. I enjoyed it, and that motivated me to pursue bodybuilding. There is joy in being able to show others that pushing the body to do what it is capable of is possible for all people in all states of physical fitness,” says Nishriin.
She has participated in the Glad Rags Mrs India, Ms Fitness India, and several bodybuilding competitions. “I have moved up the ranks from competing in district and state-level tournaments to representing India at international championships”
Whey Too Strong
Nishriin’s journey is not about collecting medals, it’s about rewriting the story of ageing. “I share the stage with women in their 20s, many younger than my own kids, but I love flaunting my six-pack abs in a bikini,” says Nishriin. The respect she receives is unmatched. She is the only athlete who is handed a microphone to address the crowd. Surrounded by competitors half her age, Nishriin poses gracefully, proving that discipline and confidence make age irrelevant.
Fitness Journey
Fitness is a lifelong journey, not a destination. Nishriin’s fitness journey is a masterclass in dedication and reinvention. She entered fitness as a teen, mastering karate at 15 and winning a national medal in 1989. She also earned a black belt from the International Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation. Even after marriage and motherhood, Nishriin stayed true to her passion. She expanded into yoga and fitness with support from her family. For nearly three decades, she ran her own studio, teaching yoga and aerobics, inspiring many to embrace wellness. Today, she embodies discipline at its peak: “I am bikini-ready 365 days a year,” she says with a smile.
The Flex Appeal
Her mornings begin with weight training, followed by cardio sessions that keep her body strong and agile. For her, lifting weights is “non-negotiable” because it builds functional strength, power, and confidence while safeguarding bones and muscles. Evenings are reserved for 5-7 km walks, balancing intensity with endurance. “I value rest and recovery, ensuring that I sleep deeply and wake refreshed to embrace my ‘crazy discipline’ with joy,” she says. Nishriin has been married for 36 years. Her glamorous presence is not just about aesthetics; it’s a reflection that fitness is a lifelong pursuit.
Food For Thought
A graduate in Psychology from Mumbai University and a Master’s in Diet and Nutrition from Sophia College, she brings science and structure to her lifestyle. She eats five small, protein-rich meals daily: lentils, tofu, almonds, eggs, and protein powder, balanced with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and measured carbs like 100 grams of rice. Lemon-ginger water supports digestion and immunity. Her philosophy is that food is fuel, and with discipline, it builds strength and longevity.
Healthy Life Mantra
Nishriin’s fitness and life mantra is simple: Out of the 24 hours, give at least one hour to your health. “Strength is self-love and independence, a way to age with confidence and joy. I urge women to stop chasing shapes and start building healthy bodies through consistent daily training, be it walking, yoga, or weights. Fitness slows the natural decline of strength, reduces entropy, and creates a circle of joy. When you love yourself, you radiate energy to your family and the world,” says Nishriin, who is now preparing for the Asian Championship and the World 2026 Championship to be held later this year.
AGE-DEFYING DIVA
• Nishriin Parikh has participated in the Glad Rags Mrs India, Ms Fitness India, and bodybuilding competitions.
• She has won a Bronze Medal in the Ladies Model Physique category at an IBBF- Indian Body Builders Federation event at 60
• She came 4th in the Women’s Fitness Physique (Up to 165 cm) category while representing India at the 57th Asian Bodybuilding Championships in Bangkok.
• She set a historic record at Seoul in 2017 as the oldest female athlete to compete at the Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championship.
