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Imagine being 17. An aspiring tennis champion with big dreams — until life came to a screeching halt.
Severe allergies. Five hospitalizations in just 18 months.
Anaphylactic shocks ruled her days, with flare-ups so unpredictable that even the simplest joys of life became dangerous.
Ten minutes on the tennis court and she’d faint. A slight change in air temperature could send her straight to the ICU.
Tennis was gone. School was gone. She was forced to live in constant fear of the next attack.
And as if that wasn’t enough, long-term steroid use left her with weight gain, hormonal imbalances, acne, a swollen face, low energy, and crushing emotional stress.
At 17, she had lost her confidence, her smile, and the life that once defined her.
Today, her story is different.
She is 10 kg lighter, back on the tennis court, and just returned from a 12-day family trip — her first in 3 years — without a single allergic flare-up.
From hospital corridors to tennis courts, from fear to faith — this is the story of Chitrangda’s comeback.
Before vs After
Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
Meet Chitrangda. Her mother, Ambika, describes her as a bright, spirited child — independent, full of life, and endlessly curious.
Whether it was reading a book, exploring a new place, riding the fastest rollercoasters, or showing up with 100% attendance at her tennis lessons, she embraced everything with unmatched enthusiasm. An incredible artist, she often lost herself in her world of sketches and colors.
“For years, my daughter’s joys were simple — playing tennis, going to school, and painting cars,” shares Ambika.
But three years ago, everything changed.
During one of her travels, Chitrangda developed unusual rashes. What seemed like a minor issue quickly escalated into severe anaphylaxis, landing her in the ICU and requiring life-saving steroids and emergency care. From then on, allergic reactions became more frequent — often triggered during tennis sessions or even on ordinary school days.
Ambika recalls the traumatic times, “Her body would break out in hives, her internal organs would swell, her blood pressure would drop dangerously, and at times she’d even lose her vision temporarily. The fear of ‘what if’ became a constant part of our lives. Despite visiting numerous doctors, the allergen remained unidentified. The only solution suggested was to carry an EpiPen at all times and rush to the ER. This uncertainty took a toll — not just physically, but emotionally.”
The Chitrangda who once lived with so much joy began to feel low. On top of it, prolonged steroid use led to significant weight gain, which deeply affected her confidence.
“Watching her lose not just her health but also her sparkle was heartbreaking for us,” shares Ambika.
Her last anaphylactic attack happened as recently as April 4, 2025.
The Breaking Point
Doctors had tried everything. Tests were done. Treatments were prescribed. But the flare-ups continued, and so did the fear. Her family knew something had to change.
“It was during this time, while following Luke’s page on Instagram — and encouraged by one of Chitrangda’s teachers who had benefitted from his program — that we decided to take a leap of faith and reach out. That decision changed everything,” shares Ambika.
Chitrangda came to us in May 2025.
Our Approach
In our holistic Wellness Program, our Integrative Nutritionist and Lifestyle Expert, Kruti Rathore, became their anchor throughout the journey.
“From the start, the team reassured them that their focus would be on healing from the inside out — not just managing symptoms,” says Ambika.
Shedding light on building this protocol for Chitrangda, Kruti shares, “Our first step was to carefully study the patterns of her flare-ups and identify common triggers.”
And so we focused on:
- Trying to pin the root cause: As we progressed, we ruled out conditions like mastocytosis and urticaria, and it became clear that her reactions were primarily linked to body heat and extreme temperature shifts. With this understanding, we focused on gradually cooling the body — through food, lifestyle, and emotional balance.
- Managing ongoing treatment: We worked on managing the side effects of prolonged steroid use and began strengthening her immune system.
- Making her plate safe yet healthy: Nutrition became the cornerstone. Since she didn’t enjoy traditional Indian meals, we introduced creative, variety-oriented, and exciting recipes, ensuring she looked forward to each meal. These matched her tastes while still being healthy. This approach was transformative. By enjoying her meals, she found joy in the process, and that alone did half the work. It was not just a source of nourishment but a reason for her to stay engaged with the program.
- Celebrating small wins: As she began losing weight and inches, her energy, mood, and confidence grew. With this physical progress, we could then turn our focus to her emotional health and sleep quality. Regular yoga, particularly cooling breathwork, and a structured daily routine brought stability and calm.
From Fear to Freedom
One of the toughest steps was encouraging both Chitrangda and her mother to confront their fears. From living in constant fear of the next flare-up, she gradually moved towards faith in her body and the process.
“Every step forward was scary for her and her mom — like trying a new exercise or facing a temperature change. It could either go well or land her in the ICU again. The emotional trauma was heavy. But their dedication and courage made all the difference.” — Kruti Rathore.
These were moments of high uncertainty. Guiding them through this with close monitoring, reassurance, and gradual steps was essential. It wasn’t just about the body; it was about rebuilding trust in the process and her own resilience. With improved health, better sleep, and a growing sense of control, her confidence returned — step by step, she was no longer defined by her condition but empowered by her journey.
Addressing the Emotional Toll of Setbacks
A significant hurdle came when she started feeling low due to missing school. The backlog in her studies weighed heavily on her mind, making her worry about her future and career. This emotional strain affected her motivation and disrupted her routine. It was a reminder that health isn’t just physical — mental and emotional well-being are equally vital. Her highly sensitive and emotional nature meant that even when her physical health was improving, an emotional setback could stall her progress.
This is where we kept handholding her and reminding her that she would catch up in good time.
The Transformation
Chitrangda’s progress has been nothing short of inspiring.
- A turning point in her joy
For years, tennis was off-limits. The day she was able to return to the court and play again was a defining moment — she described it as the happiest time of her life. This single milestone reignited her spirit and gave her a renewed sense of freedom. - A new relationship with food
One of the most powerful shifts has been in her approach to food. Once dependent on outside meals, she now not only looks forward to her home-cooked plans but even prefers them over restaurant food. In fact, she has encouraged her family to adopt the same meals, proudly saying, “Homemade meals taste better than this.” What she once thought was restrictive has now become exciting — she enjoys exploring new recipes and eagerly awaits each food plan. - Physical health milestones
- Lost 6 kgs in the first month; 10 kgs overall, along with noticeable inch loss.
- Heat sensations behind the neck have completely disappeared.
- Hand shivering reduced significantly.
- Headaches and night palpitations have stopped.
- Energy levels have improved — she feels lighter, more active, and far more productive.
- Her yoga practice has deepened, with visibly better output and stamina.
- She is now able to safely increase the intensity of her workouts.
- Visible change in confidence and mindset
Today, Chitrangda looks and feels more relaxed, happy, and self-assured. She has moved from living in constant fear to embracing a future she can shape with courage and faith. Each achievement — big or small — has strengthened her confidence, and she continues to carry this positivity into every aspect of her life.
What Chitrangda Says
“My life changed drastically after I started suffering from anaphylactic shock, which usually occurred during my tennis class. Because of that, I had to stop doing everything I enjoyed, like playing tennis and going to school. We went to many doctors and had many tests done, but no one could find a way to help me improve my condition. The occurrence of rashes became more frequent, which made everyone fearful, and I had to stop doing everything that once defined me. I had to take many steroids, which led to weight gain, and I lost all my confidence. I became unhappy and felt lost.
But one of my teachers recommended that I go to Luke, and it was one of the best decisions we made. Since starting the program 4 months ago, I have lost 10 kgs, returned to my normal life, and even started playing tennis again. My dietician, Kruti, has been incredibly supportive and motivating, helping me follow the plan in a way that maximized my recovery.
I am grateful to Luke and his team that I don’t have to live in constant fear anymore.”
An Integrative Practitioner’s Reward
For Kruti, this case has been equally heartwarming:
“Guiding Chitrangda through this journey has been deeply inspiring and personally rewarding. What stood out most was her dedication — despite her fears and past struggles, she embraced every step of the program with faith and commitment. And I cannot thank her mother enough — she stood by every call, every plan, as the strongest support system. One of the most rewarding moments was hearing that Chitrangda played tennis for a full hour without symptoms, without steroids, without fear. To see her embrace homemade meals, yoga, and life again — that’s why we do what we do.”
This year marked a milestone: after three long years, and with great courage, they finally took a 12-day trip to Europe. For the first time since her diagnosis, Chitrangda could eat, walk, explore, and enjoy without a single allergic reaction.
“It felt surreal not to live in constant fear and worry. Luke’s team — their unwavering guidance, focus on holistic wellness, and emphasis on the right nutrition — has brought us to this stage. We are still continuing our journey under Luke’s guidance, and we are hopeful that Chitrangda will regain her health completely,” signs off Ambika.
We are proud of Chitrangda and her family.
Isn’t it incredible how beautifully the body begins to heal when it receives the right guidance? ✨
If this story inspired you, we’d love to support you too.
👉 Explore our Flagship Wellness Programs.
👉 Or book a one-on-one consult with our integrative practitioners:
📞 1800 102 0253
📧 [email protected]
At Team Luke, we believe in the power of lifestyle changes. But let’s be clear — lifestyle medicine never works in isolation. It is most powerful when combined with medical supervision and the expertise of doctors. We remain deeply grateful to the doctors whose care and guidance laid the foundation for Chitrangda’s journey.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle — especially if you have pre-existing conditions. Results vary from person to person, and outcomes mentioned here are not typical or guaranteed.
