In an exclusive interview with SINDURI VUPPALA, SOHFIT founder and celebrity fitness coach Sohrab Khushrushahi opens up about his evolution from law to fitness and now to clean-label performance nutrition with The Func Lab. Co-founded with Sahil Kukreja and Tashya Davar, The Func Lab is cutting through industry noise with science backed, transparent products built for real people. From coaching stars like Alia Bhatt and Mira Kapoor to formulating no-fluff supplements, Sohrab’s mission remains the same: help people feel stronger, move better, and live well.

From law to fitness and now nutrition: what inspired this pivot to launching The Func Lab?

Honestly, I’ve never seen it as a pivot. For me, it’s been an evolution. I started in law because it was the “safe” thing to do. But over time, I realized it didn’t light me up. Fitness came in as something that felt real and meaningful. When I started SOHFIT, it was never about six-packs it was about helping people move better, feel stronger, and live fuller lives.

The Func Lab is just a continuation of that mission. I saw firsthand how many people were doing the training, showing up, but still not recovering well or getting results because their nutrition was broken. There was a lot of confusion and even more compromise in the supplement space. I knew we could do better. So, we built it.

How did your experience building SOHFIT inform your approach to creating a product-based wellness brand?

SOHFIT taught me that people don’t want to be complicated. They want guidance they can trust, routines that work, and things that actually make them feel good. That mindset shaped everything about The Func Lab.

Instead of chasing trends, we asked: “What does the average person actually need to support a sustainable fitness lifestyle?” The answer was clean, effective, no-jargon products that work for real life. It’s the same philosophy just a different medium.

What gaps or frustrations in the current supplement industry motivated you to start The Func Lab?

The biggest frustration? Lack of transparency. I’d pick up a product and half the label would be things I didn’t understand or worse, things that shouldn’t be there at all.

A lot of supplements are built for margins, not for people. And you can tell. They’re filled with sugar, gums, artificial crap, or dosed so low they’re basically just marketing. We wanted to flip that—build formulas with intention, label them honestly, and dose them in a way that makes a difference.

Tell us about your co-founders how did you come together, and what strengths do each of you bring to the table?

The Func Lab wouldn’t exist without the three of us. I bring the fitness and real-world understanding of what people need from performance nutrition.

Sahil is our manufacturing and operations backbone he knows the food space inside out and ensures that everything we do is world-class in quality and consistency.

Tashya is the brand and business mind. She knows how to craft messaging, build community, and make sure our voice cuts through the noise.

We’re very different, but that’s what works. We each stay in our lane, but the mission is shared and that alignment is everything.

What does “clean-label performance nutrition” mean to you and how are you delivering on that promise?

To me, it means no BS. No fillers, no gums, no artificial flavouring, no fluff. Every single ingredient has to earn its place in the formula.

Clean-label also means clear communication we’re not hiding behind “proprietary blends” or sneaky additives. You know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

And performance? That’s non-negotiable. We don’t just want it to taste good—we want it to support your training, recovery, energy, gut health whatever the function is.

What sets The Func Lab apart from the flood of wellness and supplement brands in the Indian market?

We’re not here to sell you dreams. We’re here to solve problems.

Most brands start with, “What’s trending right now?” We started with, “What’s missing?” Our Plant Protein has a real 86% protein-to-scoop ratio which is nearly unheard of. Our Electrolytes give you 1000mg sodium because that’s what actually helps you recover.

And beyond products, we’re building trust. From the packaging to the customer service we treat our audience with respect. That’s the differentiator.

You’ve trained celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Kiara Advani, and Mira Kapoor—how did those relationships begin?

They started like any other client relationship word of mouth, someone reaching out, or being referred through a friend.

But what matters more than the “how” is the “why” they stayed. We connected on shared values commitment, clarity, and honesty. I didn’t treat them like celebrities; I treated them like people trying to do the work. And that mutual respect built strong bonds over time.

Are there any memorable behind-the-scenes stories or transformations you’re particularly proud of?

There are lots, but the ones I cherish most are often the smallest wins. Seeing someone get through a full-body push-up for the first time after weeks of work. Watching a client who came in underconfident walk out six months later owning their space.

With the public names, it’s not just about the transformations you see on screen. It’s the discipline off-camera, the grind when no one’s watching. That’s what I respect the most.

Has your approach to training or nutrition evolved after working with such diverse personalities from actors to athletes?

Absolutely. It made me realize that no two bodies or goals are the same. The one-size-fits-all model doesn’t work.

It also taught me the importance of recovery, mental health, and lifestyle habits. For someone working 14-hour days on set, the training plan looks very different from that for an athlete in pre-season.

The core principles haven’t changed consistency, intentionality, patience but the execution always adapts to the person.

What does a typical day in your life look like now, balancing coaching, business-building, and your own wellness?

No two days are the same, but I try to anchor each day with a few non-negotiables a solid workout, at least one deep work session, and some time to disconnect.

Mornings usually start early some form of movement, then calls or meetings with the Func Lab team. Midday I try to carve out time for product reviews or strategy. Evenings are family time or a walk to decompress.

It’s a juggle, for sure. But the key is knowing when to go hard and when to slow down.

Quick Takes

One supplement trend you think is totally overrated.

Collagen gummies with fairy dust doses and no supporting nutrients. If it’s not backed by the right science or enough of it it’s just sugar in disguise.

Your go-to recovery snack after a hard workout?

A scoop of our Plant Protein in water + a banana. Simple. Effective. No frills.

If you had to describe The Func Lab in one sentence, what would you say?

Function-first nutrition with no fluff built for those who want to feel and perform better.

What personal wellness or nutrition rules do you live by?

Move daily. Eat clean but don’t obsess. Sleep well. And above all listen to your body. It’s always telling you something.