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Insights, stories, and practical tips on fitness, wellness, and building sustainable habits.

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built with habit: the reality of trying to get it 'right'

built with habit: the reality of trying to get it 'right'

when i left my corporate job in april last year to start builtwithhabit - a truly skin-safe activewear brand, i had no clue what would be in store for us! as we navigate 'the messy middle' and the complexities of sourcing, i wanted to take some time to reflect on our brand ethos and how that's shaped this whole journey! bottom line: if doing it 'right' takes longer, then we’ve got all the time in the world. i’m not here to be the first to market - i’m here to be the one you can actually trust!

Ishita R Mahajan
activewearbackstoryearlystagefounderjourneylore
closing one low-tox eye: travel, control and the cost of hyper-vigilance

closing one low-tox eye: travel, control and the cost of hyper-vigilance

low-tox living can sharpen your awareness in powerful ways - but it can also really narrow your world. when you travel, you lose control over oils, water filters, cookware and countless unseen variables. this is my reflection on choosing adaptability over anxiety - and why flexibility might be one of the most protective practices of all!

Ishita R Mahajan
habitshighestselfinformedchoiceslowtoxlivingmindsetnontoxicselfcare
beyond protein: a case for fiber maxxing

beyond protein: a case for fiber maxxing

while tracking protein intake has become mainstream in the nutrition space, fiber has really taken a hit. many western-style diets average fewer than 10-15 grams of fiber per day... when the recommended intake sits closer to 25-38 grams daily. that gap is the difference between: healthy digestion, lowered ldl cholesterol, stable blood sugar, clearance of carcinogens in the gut, resilient gut microbiome - and well, the opposite of that. so read ahead to see what you can do to fiber maxx!

Ishita R Mahajan
fuelinformedchoicesnutritionselfcare
we need to talk about synthetic fragrances: the truth behind your favorite perfume!

we need to talk about synthetic fragrances: the truth behind your favorite perfume!

fragrance is everywhere. perfume and cologne, obviously - but also body sprays, deodorants, candles, laundry detergent, skincare and cleaning products. 'fragrance' is a legal umbrella term (or corporate loophole) that can mask a complex cocktail of hundreds of chemicals - many of which have been linked to: hormone disruption, systemic inflammation, reproductive issues, neurological damage and more... so what do we do about it?

Ishita R Mahajan
informedchoiceslowtoxlivingnontoxicsustainability
a gut-healthy grocery list: an evidence-based guide to shopping for your microbiome

a gut-healthy grocery list: an evidence-based guide to shopping for your microbiome

it's absolutely mind-boggling that the bacteria, viruses and fungi that have colonised our gastrointestinal tracts are intrinsically tied to: mental health, immune function, chronic disease and more. this post is particularly important for anyone (myself included!) who might be equating 'a healthy, well-balanced diet' with 'getting your macros in.' the reality is a lot more nuanced than that: so read to find out how you can eat to support your incredible microbiome!

Ishita R Mahajan
fuelinformedchoicesnutritionselfcare
when did everything become plastic: a short history of how material innovation reshaped everything

when did everything become plastic: a short history of how material innovation reshaped everything

in this blog post, i wanted to do a bit of a dive into the historical evolution of plastics and how they took root in the 20th and 21st century! part of reimagining a more sustainable future for material innovation involves understanding our past: where did the need for disposable and industrially-predictable materials come from and how did we lose sight of all that natural fibers have to offer?

Ishita R Mahajan
informedchoiceslowtoxlivingnontoxicsustainability
the sacred start: reflections on new years and honoring the time thereafter!

the sacred start: reflections on new years and honoring the time thereafter!

happy new year! another year, another revolution around the sun... and a lot of pressure to: reflect, set intentions, deep clean, vision board, nail it professionally, connect with loved ones - and the list goes on? in this post, i wanted to unpack (ironically) why there's so much implicit expectation to re-invent oneself, especially with the rise of self-help culture... and how we can embrace january but also the magical 11 months thereafter!

Ishita R Mahajan
habitshighestselfmindsetselfcare
you are what you eat: but also, so much more

you are what you eat: but also, so much more

wellness is shaped by far more than what you eat or how you move: it’s influenced by your relationships, your self-talk, your habits, your purpose and the inner world you’re quietly cultivating every day!! the older i get, the more i realise that everything really is that deep: what we consume emotionally, mentally, and spiritually compounds 🤍

Ishita R Mahajan
habitshighestselfmindsetneuroscienceselfcare
things all women should be taught in school: lifting edition

things all women should be taught in school: lifting edition

"if exercise could be packed in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation." ~ dr. robert n. butler. in this blog post, i discuss the well-documented/ evidence-backed benefits of weightlifting for women! it is absolutely mind-blowing to think about the impact it has on: disease management, bone density, joint stabilisation, functional strength and mental health <3 go gymmm!

Ishita R Mahajan
girlswholifthighperformancepersonalfitnesstrainerresistancetraining
disconnecting from intuition: the cost of outsourcing your inner compass

disconnecting from intuition: the cost of outsourcing your inner compass

another vulnerable blog post for this week! as the year wraps up, i've been reflecting a lot on how i've grown. in many ways, i'm incredibly proud of the ways in which: i've asserted myself more boldly, bet on my aspirations and connected meaningfully with the people in my life who matter most! however, i also realised that i've been struggling with outsourcing my inner compass. i.e. silencing my own intuition, crowdsourcing opinions and leaning on external validation as a crutch. that was a super profound realisation for me! here's to 2026 and re-building or re-fortifying that belief i have in my own discernment (my favorite word right now!!).

Ishita R Mahajan
buildingabusinessfounderhabitshighestselfmindset
food as medicine: how what we eat shapes our energy, hormones and long-term health

food as medicine: how what we eat shapes our energy, hormones and long-term health

to me, this is one of THE coolest spaces in health sciences: food as medicine. our diets influence everything from: inflammation, gut health, neurotransmitter production, blood sugar regulation, immune resilience and even how our genes express themselves over time. again, this isn't about: perfection, restriction, moralising food choices or advocating for “superfoods” replacing medical care. more so, it's about raising awareness about: how diet is undeniably a core pillar, upholding our health and wellbeing!

Ishita R Mahajan
fuelhabitshighestselfnutrition
what's really in my control: lessons from building a brand in my 20s

what's really in my control: lessons from building a brand in my 20s

the last few months have been tricky for me to navigate... i realised by and large, this has been because i've struggled to discern what is in my realm of control versus what isn't - and so, i've been applying pressure on the wrong things! this blog post really applies to anyone and everyone: whether it's about a career, relationship, lifestyle or any other goal/ ambition you may have, we can't force things into existence. we can, however, stack the odds in our favor <3

Ishita R Mahajan
buildingabusinessearlystagefounderhabitshighestselfmindset
the real lifespan of your clothes: why material choice matters

the real lifespan of your clothes: why material choice matters

most people don’t realise how differently fabrics behave once we throw them away: some break down in months, while others stay on the planet for centuries. in this post, i break down credible, research-backed data on biodegradation timelines across natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers and why these differences matter for our skin and the environment! if you care about conscious consumerism, circularity or simply want to understand your clothes beyond the label, this guide is for you!

Ishita R Mahajan
activewearbuildingabusinessearlystagefounderinformedchoiceslowtoxlivingnontoxicsustainabilitysustainablewellness
the neuroscience of hobbies: what movement, creativity and play do for your brain

the neuroscience of hobbies: what movement, creativity and play do for your brain

hobbies aren’t just ‘pastimes’ - they’re biologically essential! neuroscience shows that different types of hobbies activate different neural systems, improving stress regulation, focus, emotional resilience, memory and long-term brain health. this post breaks down why your brain thrives on diverse forms of play, movement, creativity, learning and inner work… and how the right mix can change the way you think, feel and show up in your life :)

Ishita R Mahajan
habitshighestselfinformedchoicesneurosciencepowerofrepetitionselfcare
food across borders: how your zip code shapes your eating habits

food across borders: how your zip code shapes your eating habits

food looks different everywhere: not just because of culture, but because of policy, regulation, access and what each society considers “normal.” after living in the us, south korea and singapore + spending months in europe, i started noticing just how deeply food systems shape our health. this post breaks down the differences, the surprising insights and the habits we can learn from each region!

Ishita R Mahajan
fuelhabitsinformedchoicesnutrition
is entrepreneurship the right path for you: how to actually work with your skillset

is entrepreneurship the right path for you: how to actually work with your skillset

this blog post was inspired by a conversation i had at the bar (!)... it got me thinking about whether there are some innate characteristics that lend themselves to corporate vs. entrepreneurship! it also gave me space to reflect on my own journey: including my year and a half stint at kpmg - in healthcare & life sciences consulting - and now (and hopefully, forever hehe) building builtwithhabit!

Ishita R Mahajan
backstorybuildingabusinessearlystagefounderhabitshighestselfinformedchoicesjourneyloremindset
challenging limiting beliefs: the six mental reframes that changed the way i build

challenging limiting beliefs: the six mental reframes that changed the way i build

the founder journey has a way of holding up a mirror: showing you not just what you’re building, but who you’re becoming in the process! these six mindset reframes have reshaped how I think about progress, self-trust, and growth; they’re lessons in patience, perspective, and remembering that discomfort is often data.

Ishita R Mahajan
backstorybuildingabusinessfounderhabitshighestselfjourneymindsetneurosciencepowerofrepetitionselfcare
strength in progress: how lifting rewired my body, mind, and mission

strength in progress: how lifting rewired my body, mind, and mission

i never anticipated that the gym would become such a central part of my life. what started as an hour (or three!) of structure during the pandemic turned into my anchor: this is the story of how strength training shaped not just my body, but the way i live, think, and build my business!

Ishita R Mahajan
activewearbuildingabusinessfoundergirlswholifthabitshighestselfjourneylorelowtoxlivingmindsetpersonalfitnesstrainerpowerofrepetitionresistancetrainingselfcare
beyond fad diets: my sustainable & joyful eating philosophy for lasting energy

beyond fad diets: my sustainable & joyful eating philosophy for lasting energy

i really feel like food shouldn’t feel as complicated as it does right now... this post is about how i approach eating in a way that fuels strength, supports gut health, and still celebrates flavor, culture, and creativity!

Ishita R Mahajan
fuelhabitshighestselfinformedchoicesnutritionselfcare
a love letter to london: why stepping away from my desk for 3 months renewed my creativity for bwh

a love letter to london: why stepping away from my desk for 3 months renewed my creativity for bwh

i spent six weeks in london (and a month traveling around southern europe before that!): my longest stretch away from my desk since starting builtwithhabit. i thought stepping away would slow me down, but it did the opposite. this is a love letter to the city that reminded me why creativity, connection, and curiosity are just as essential to building a business as discipline and focus!

Ishita R Mahajan
backstoryearlystagefounderhabitsjourneyloremindset
building habits that actually stick: the science behind repetition

building habits that actually stick: the science behind repetition

the secret to transformation isn’t willpower: it’s systems and wiring. in this post, i unpack the brain science behind habit formation and how i’ve leveraged it to build both strength in the gym and builtwithhabit from the ground up!

Ishita R Mahajan
habitshighestselfmindsetneurosciencepowerofrepetitionselfcare
the skin-safe fabric deep dive: what actually makes activewear low-tox?

the skin-safe fabric deep dive: what actually makes activewear low-tox?

with so much jargon on clothing tags, it can be hard to understand what fabrics we should be avoiding versus opting for! this skin-safe fabrics deep dive summarises the 'go's' and 'no-go's' in the garments space, with some insight into what we're doing differently at bwh!

Ishita R Mahajan
activewearinformedchoiceslowtoxlivingnontoxicsustainabilitysustainablewellness
the low tox living starter pack: where swaps matter the most

the low tox living starter pack: where swaps matter the most

in a world where it feels like everything is quietly toxic, i share a simple framework for making your home a little safer, one room at a time. from the kitchen to the closet, this guide breaks down red flags to watch out for and low-tox swaps you can start with today (without overhauling your entire life overnight)!

Ishita R Mahajan
actionableswapsinformedchoiceslowtoxlivingsustainabilitysustainablewellness
the truth about sustainable wellness: what your choices really mean for the planet

the truth about sustainable wellness: what your choices really mean for the planet

sometimes, wellness isn’t always as “green” as it looks. in this post, i dive into the surprising environmental costs of supplements, skincare, gadgets, and gear. i also share the small, everyday shifts that actually move the needle.

Ishita R Mahajan
actionableswapsactivewearinformedchoicesnontoxicsustainabilitysustainablewellness
the lore behind builtwithhabit: the leap of faith

the lore behind builtwithhabit: the leap of faith

an unfiltered look at the quiet pivots, unexpected detours, and “canon events” that shaped my path: from science and consulting to starting a skin-safe activewear brand. this isn’t just a story about business. it’s about building a brand that feels aligned with who i am!

Ishita R Mahajan
activewearbackstorybuildingabusinessearlystagefounderhighperformancejourneyloremindsetnontoxicsustainability