How is the life of Sachin Tendulkar’s biggest fan?

Being a fan of a sportsman can be an exhilarating experience filled with moments of joy, excitement, and pride. Fans may have a deep admiration for the sportsman’s skills, achievements, and contributions to the sport. Most of us are fans of one or more sportsmen in our lifetime.

While most fans discuss dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to following a sportsman’s career, staying updated on news and developments, and defending their legacy against detractors, very few go to the extent of meeting their idol. When I heard that there was a fan of Sachin Tendulkar who had gone onto get tweeted by Sachin himself, I couldn’t help but go and meet him. What must have gone on in the mind of a Sachin Tendulkar fan that he went all the way to meet his idol?

During my cross-country cycling tour across India, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Ameya Bhagwat, a devoted fan of Sachin Tendulkar and the owner of the most subscribed Sachin fan page. Ameya’s life has been profoundly impacted by his admiration for Sachin. In fact, his journey with Sachin’s inspiration led him to transform his physical health, going from 135 kg to 65 kg.

Ameya is an exceptionally humble individual who not only runs his own gaming zone cafe but also works as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. He has a strong passion for service and focuses on providing food that promotes a healthy gut microbiome. Throughout our conversation, he exuded positive energy and shared his belief in the notion that everything in life is written and unfolds according to a greater plan.

Listening to Ameya’s story filled me with hope and reinforced the idea that if one pursues their passions wholeheartedly, even GOD seems to take notice.

Sachinsit.com (https://instagram.com/sachinist?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==)

Table of Contents

Becoming the devotee of GOD

Ameya’s elder brother works for Samsung in Canada, while his younger sister is employed at Credit Swiss Bank of America. Ameya resides in Satara, Maharashtra with his parents in their home, built in 1977. Both his father and grandfather are accomplished lawyers, and Ameya himself is a law graduate. Although he excelled in theory, he struggled with practical application. Consequently, he joined a company specializing in legal outsourcing. Additionally, due to his passion for sports and movies, he wrote articles on topics such as sports, movies, and technology.

Currently, Ameya has left his job and established his own gaming zone cafe business. His main focus is on offering high-quality gaming spaces and promoting healthy food choices that contribute to improved gut health. Alongside his entrepreneurial pursuits, he also works as a nutrition coach for numerous individuals.

Ameya’s admiration for Sachin Tendulkar began in 1992 when he was just 7 years old. He idolized Sachin and cherished memories of watching numerous matches with his dad, grandma, and their entire cricket-loving family. Ameya believed that to establish oneself as one of the all-time greats in just five years of playing, one had to possess exceptional talent. Sachin’s impeccable control and unwavering mindset showcased his special qualities.

Ameya associated his school grades with the years of the cricket World Cup. He mentioned that during the 1996 World Cup, he was in 10th grade and had already become a devoted fan of Sachin. It was the character of Sachin that captivated him, rather than just his achievements.

Among the many matches he recalled, Ameya particularly highlighted one that took place on April 22, 1998. At 7:15 PM, while on a family vacation, a waiter informed them that Sachin was batting. Ameya couldn’t sleep the entire night, consumed by thoughts of Sachin’s performance. The next morning at 9:30 AM, he discovered that Sachin had scored a brilliant century, leading India to the finals of the Sarjah Cup. True to his nature, Ameya cut short his vacation and returned to Satara on the same day. It seemed destined that on April 24, which happened to be Sachin’s birthday, India emerged victorious in the finals with Sachin once again scoring a century.

Ameya enthusiastically shared that, among all the innings he had witnessed Sachin play, the most memorable one occurred during the 2003 World Cup. Sachin’s remarkable performance took place at Wanderers against Pakistan, where he scored 98 runs while chasing a target of 275. Interestingly, it was another instance where destiny favored India, as they emerged victorious in that match.

Ameya’s admiration for Sachin was so profound that he even got a tattoo on his right arm to commemorate that innings. The tattoo features the number “98” incorporated within a dopamine molecule, symbolizing Sachin’s significance in Ameya’s life. Furthermore, the tattoo proudly displays Sachin’s signature, serving as a constant reminder of his inspiration and the joy he brings.

Be the devotee that even GOD wants to meet

On April 24, 2010, Ameya initiated a Sachin fan page on Facebook. To his surprise, the fan page steadily grew and evolved into the largest Sachin fan page globally, amassing over 1 million subscribers. Ameya humbly admitted that he had not anticipated such a remarkable outcome when he first started it.

Before Ameya got married, his uncle, who happened to be Sachin’s childhood friend, arranged a meeting between Ameya and Sachin on January 20, 2014, just six days before Ameya’s wedding, as a special wedding gift. This initial encounter marked the first time Ameya had the privilege of meeting Sachin. However, destiny had more in store for him, as Ameya would go on to meet Sachin on four more occasions.

While there are four other Sachin fan pages, none have achieved the same level of prominence as the one founded by Ameya. He emphasized that all fans of Sachin are equal, regardless of the size or reach of their platforms. They have maintained connections and interactions through various online platforms, but they had never met face-to-face.

In a remarkable event on April 22 of this year, just before Sachin’s birthday, Ameya organized a meetup for 150 of his most devoted fans, including himself. This gathering brought together individuals who had always been connected online but had never met in person. Ameya revealed that he personally knew 110 out of the 150 attendees, despite never having met them before. He described the meetup as an unexpected and exhilarating experience, emphasizing the indescribable aura surrounding the event. According to Ameya, it was a surreal encounter, impossible to capture in words, but one that could only be truly understood by living it.

Ameya shared that the Sachin fan page, despite its significant reach and popularity, operates with a selfless purpose. Any funds generated through the page’s activities are donated to charitable causes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fan page contributed 1.15 lakh rupees towards relief efforts. Additionally, they donated 50,000 rupees during the Kerala flood crisis.

In addition to Ameya, there is another co-owner of the fan page, along with seven other passionate individuals who actively contribute to its management. None of the team members receive any financial compensation, as all the earnings are swiftly allocated towards organizing various events within a span of 15 days.

The primary focus of the Sachin fan page remains on utilizing their resources and funds to make a positive impact on society, rather than personal gain.

When GOD meets, he gives a boon

During the inauguration of Sachin’s clothing brand by his brand Team Blue, Ameya found himself weighing 135 kilograms. When given a XXXL-sized T-shirt, it failed to fit him. Subtly, Sachin mentioned to Ameya, after multiple meetings, that he could actually work on losing weight. This encounter took place in 2016, and Ameya resumed his normal life afterward. However, on the evening of March 15, 2017, it struck him that six months had passed since Sachin’s remark, and he had yet to take any action.

Coincidentally, March 16, 2017, marked the fifth anniversary of Sachin’s 100th hundred. This inspired Ameya to make a firm decision that starting the next day, he would give up eating junk food. As a symbolic farewell, he indulged in all his favorite junk food that very night. Remarkably, from March 16 onwards, Ameya has not consumed any junk food even once. This achievement is truly extraordinary. In just six months, he managed to shed 45 kilograms and even completed a half marathon in an impressive time of 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Ameya’s journey towards improving his health and fitness went beyond just losing weight. He also recognized the importance of building and maintaining muscle. Understanding that blind efforts might not yield the desired results, he made the decision to hire a coach. Instead of questioning the need to pay for coaching, he realized the value in investing money in a course to gain knowledge and expertise in nutrition.

Ameya enrolled in a basic course called InFS (Integrated Nutrition and Fitness Specialist), and he instantly fell in love with it. His passion for the subject started to grow, and he realized that as human beings, we are not simply robotic entities but individuals operating in multiple dimensions. This realization led him to synchronize his lifestyle with a single circadian rhythm, understanding the significance of a holistic approach.

Throughout his journey, Ameya deepened his knowledge by pursuing advanced courses. He obtained his master certification in nutrition science from Precision Nutrition Canada, recognized as one of the top three courses globally. Additionally, he obtained an L2 certification, which provided a deeper understanding of the subject.

Today, Ameya shares a beautiful relationship with food. He understands what different types of food can offer him and knows how to make the most of it. Through his expertise, he now serves clients both online and offline, providing highly personalized nutrition guidance. His approach is tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals, recognizing that nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all concept.

Devotion to work is devotion to GOD

Ameya’s journey as a health food entrepreneur has been marked by the blessings of his parents and his unwavering determination influenced by his idol Sachin Tendulkar. After completing a nutrition course in 2018, he realized the potential in starting his own health food cafe. In 2020, he successfully launched the cafe and expanded his services to include meal delivery, utilizing his father’s retired office space as the cafe’s location, Ameya demonstrated resourcefulness and cost-efficiency. During the lockdown, he utilized the time to further his studies and obtained an L2 certification, solidifying his expertise in nutrition. Looking ahead, Ameya plans to pursue additional courses in sleep space and recovery (SSR) and anabolics.

During our conversation, an employee entered with food, and Ameya immediately expressed gratitude, recognizing the invaluable contribution of his team. This trait of acknowledging and appreciating lemployees is a common attribute among successful entrepreneurs and businessmen I have constantly noticed during my journey (read this article and this article).

The work of boon

The Dark House Gaming Cafe, founded by Ameya, specializes in three verticals to cater to a diverse range of customers. Firstly, in terms of entertainment, the cafe offers high-end eSports systems that can be rented on an hourly basis. Professional gamers frequent the cafe, often booking the systems for an entire month. This demonstrates the popularity and demand for top-quality gaming experiences.

Secondly, the cafe prides itself on its regular and health food offerings. Ameya’s background in food science allows him to curate a menu that prioritizes fresh, homemade ingredients. Even for simple items like sandwiches, the cafe ensures that nothing is pre-packaged. They make their own chutneys and sauces, avoiding outsourcing altogether. The focus is on providing nutritious and customizable options for customers, whether they are a family looking for a wholesome meal or cyclists in need of fuel for their 100 km rides. Ameya takes the time to understand individual preferences and tailors the meals accordingly. Despite the emphasis on quality, the cafe strives to keep the prices affordable, recognizing that everyone deserves access to healthy food. Additionally, the cafe benefits from cost-saving measures such as solar electricity and no rental expenses for the property, allowing them to pass on the savings to the customers. The menu ranges from the costliest dish of 160 rupees, featuring exotic vegetables tossed in a protein of choice (chicken, egg, or tofu) with healthy fats, to the cheapest dish priced at 100 rupees.

Lastly, the cafe offers a line of packaged health food products that are minimally processed, focusing on the well-being of the gut microbiome. Under the venture name “The Global Marathi,” this small unit produces eight different food items. Ameya aims to expand this aspect of the business gradually, recognizing the potential to supply these products to canteens and other cafes as well. The primary focus is to fix the base process to ensure the highest quality and promote gut health, which in turn can have positive effects on mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Ameya also prioritizes sustainable packaging solutions, actively seeking alternatives to plastic and exploring large-scale packaging options.

Personal life of a Sachin Tendulkar fan

Ameya’s character shines with his outgoing nature, passion, and remarkable humility. His deep understanding of the microbiome’s interaction with the universe and the influence of positivity from the gut showcases his unique perspective. It is truly fascinating to witness his dual persona as an ardent Sachin Tendulkar fan and a knowledgeable individual with profound expertise in the field of health. I asked him questions about his perspectives on life to understand the remarkable combination of being an ardent Sachin Tendulkar fan and a knowledgeable individual in the field of health

Justification

Ameya’s decision to pursue a different path instead of continuing in law and transforming himself reveals a deeper understanding of his own strengths and limitations. Although he acknowledges his proficiency in legal theory, he recognized that translating that knowledge into practical application was not his forte. This self-awareness led him to explore other avenues where he could excel and make a positive impact.

Throughout his journey, Ameya has come to realize the importance of being a good individual in all aspects of his life. He strives to be a supportive and responsible associate to his colleagues, a loving son, a devoted husband, and a caring father. He emphasizes the value of accountability, understanding that it is his responsibility to ensure that he consistently puts in the effort to meet the expectations of those around him. Ameya believes that his actions should speak louder than words, demonstrating his dedication and commitment to his roles and responsibilities.

Ameya’s perspective on control highlights his belief in focusing on the aspects that are within his reach while accepting that some things are beyond his control. By taking sincere and honest steps forward, he believes that the universe will align itself accordingly. This approach emphasizes the importance of integrity and authenticity in one’s actions, as well as the understanding that external factors may influence outcomes. Ameya’s philosophy encourages him to stay committed to his path, putting in genuine effort and trusting that the universe will respond in its own way.

Validations

Ameya finds immense validation in the approval and satisfaction of his parents. Their acknowledgment and assurance that he has done well and is capable of taking care of himself and those around him holds great significance to him. While they recognize his potential, they also serve as his best critics, pushing him to strive for his personal best. Ameya’s ultimate goal is to receive their recognition and validation, knowing that he has truly excelled in his endeavors.

Feeling that he is on the right path, Ameya trusts the positive vibes he receives as a validation of being in the right direction. These intangible signals and instincts give him confidence that he is making the right choices and progressing towards his goals. The alignment of these positive energies reinforces his belief that he is moving forward in a purposeful and meaningful way.

Complaints

Ameya is someone who chooses not to have any complaints in his life. He consciously avoids dwelling on the negative aspects and has learned to ignore them completely. He has made a conscious decision to switch off that aspect of life and focus only on the positive.

For Ameya, he understands that both good and bad things exist in life, but he consciously chooses to absorb and embrace the good things. He believes that good things come for free, just as bad things do, and he actively seeks to surround himself with positivity. By prioritizing the positive aspects and disregarding negativity, Ameya maintains a mindset that allows him to appreciate and enjoy the good things that life has to offer.

Materialism

According to Ameya, if he had all the money in the world, he would prioritize the well-being of people and athletes by distributing free supplements such as glutamine, omega 3 fatty acids, BCAAs, glycine, and more to those who need them. He recognizes the importance of these supplements in supporting health and performance and believes that everyone should have access to them regardless of their financial situation.

Additionally, Ameya expresses his fascination with gadgets and mentions that he would utilize the rest of the money to acquire as many gadgets as possible.

It was truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet Ameya. Our conversation exceeded my expectations, as I gained valuable insights from him. As our discussion drew to a close, I couldn’t resist asking Ameya about the message he would like to share with the world. His response was profound and simple. He emphasized his focus on embracing the positive aspects of nature and life. According to Ameya, every individual has the potential for a million-dollar idea within them. He acknowledged that negativity exists but encouraged the practice of setting it aside, allowing positivity to prevail. Ameya’s message serves as a reminder to seek the inherent potential and goodness within ourselves and the world around us.

I invite you to comment below and share the sports personalities you admire and the qualities you have imbibed from their character. This often overlooked topic can provide valuable insights into our own personalities. It is common for us to appreciate in others the traits we aspire to possess ourselves. By discussing the individuals who inspire us in the world of sports, we can gain a deeper understanding of who we are and what we value. Your contributions to this discussion are greatly appreciated.

Asutosh

I am a 31 year young PhD graduate who has decided to travel the length and breadth of India on my cycle, to document the journey of meeting a vast array of people. In my journey, I intend to understand the characteristic features of the people of this nation and categorize them based on their demographics, age, profession, gender, traditions, and cultural differences.