By Kshalini Nonis

Body Doc Fitness & Wellness Pavilion was founded to bridge the gap between medicine and movement. Their holistic approach integrating mind and body, ensures that every aspect of one’s body is connected through exercise.

We had a chat with Dr. Thanuki Idangodage — Founder & Chairperson, Body Doc Fitness & Wellness Pavilion about some of the services offered by them.

Q: Tell us briefly about Body Doc Fitness &Wellness Pavilion and the reasons for opening Sri Lanka’s first and only medically oriented gym.

Body Doc Fitness & Wellness Pavilion was founded to bridge the gap between medicine and movement. As a doctor, I wanted to create a space where people could prevent illness before it began — a place that focused on prevention, recovery, and transformation under one roof. Body Doc became Sri Lanka’s first and only medically oriented gym — a 50,000- square-foot facility that integrates fitness, nutrition, diagnostics, and medical expertise to help people live healthier, longer lives.

Q You said that wellness is more than the absence of illness. Can you tell us what you mean by this?

To me, wellness isn’t just about not being sick — it’s about feeling strong, energised, and emotionally balanced. It’s the ability to live fully, not merely exist. At Body Doc, we help people go beyond symptom-free living to discover what it feels like to truly thrive — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Recovery means giving the body the right tools to heal itself. At Body Doc, we focus on active recovery, physiotherapy, mobility training, proper nutrition, and rest. 

Q According to you, recovery focuses on the body’s natural ability to repair. How is this done?

Recovery means giving the body the right tools to heal itself. At Body Doc, we focus on active recovery, physiotherapy, mobility training, proper nutrition, and rest. Our approach supports the body’s natural healing process, reduces inflammation, restores balance, and prevents re-injury — helping clients rebuild from the inside out.

Q Tell us about your principle of early detection and intervention based on the fact that prevention is your foundation.

At Body Doc, we believe prevention is the most powerful form of medicine. Every client begins their journey with a comprehensive medical and fitness assessment that includes InBody analysis — a detailed scan that measures muscle mass, body-fat percentage, visceral fat, water balance, and metabolic rate. An SLMC-registered doctor reviews each client’s medical history, screens for any underlying health issues, and provides professional guidance with a personalised plan. Based on the client’s request, we may refer them to a qualified nutritionist or to physiotherapy and other allied-health services if required. By combining medical evaluation, data-driven tracking, and professional collaboration, Body Doc ensures every programme is safe, individualised, and focused on long-term health — identifying risks early and preventing disease before it develops.

Q As you say that nutrition is the foundation of everything you do at Body Doc, tell us about your philosophy of helping clients transform inside out.

At Body Doc, Transform Inside Out is more than a fitness slogan — it’s a mindset shift. It’s about becoming a completely different version of yourself — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Of course, we focus on nutrition, movement, and recovery, but the deeper transformation happens within: in your energy, drive, self-discipline, and mindset. When clients learn to fuel their bodies correctly, move with purpose, and stay consistent, they begin to radiate confidence and clarity. Transform Inside Out is not just about changing your body — it’s about changing your state of mind and your entire lifestyle.

Q How do you teach clients to eat intelligently, not restrictively?

At Body Doc, we always say diets don’t work — lifestyle does. Restrictive eating may bring short-term results, but it isn’t sustainable or healthy. We teach clients to adopt a balanced, practical way of eating they can follow for life — emphasising calorie awareness, portion control, hydration, and whole, natural foods. The goal is to enjoy food, not fear it. Clients learn to eat what they love, cooked in the healthiest possible way, while allowing room for treats without guilt. It’s about consistency, not perfection. We guide them to build habits that nourish the body naturally — without depending on supplements or extreme diets — creating a way of living that fuels energy, confidence, and joy every day.

Q How do you emphasise balance over deprivation when it comes to nutritional assessment?

At Body Doc, we always remind clients that consistency is the key to achieving anything in life — not just in fitness or weight management, but in every aspect of success. I have achieved everything in my life through consistency, and that same principle applies to health. Balance comes from doing the right things repeatedly — eating nourishing meals, staying active, sleeping well, and allowing yourself to enjoy life without guilt. Progress does not come from extremes; it comes from sustainable habits practiced consistently.  That’s why we focus on building routines our clients can follow for life — balanced, enjoyable, and realistic.

Q What are the benefits of having balanced nutrition?

Many people think a balanced diet is just about losing weight or looking good, but it’s far more than that. The real value of balanced nutrition lies in how it makes you feel and function. For me personally, the greatest benefit is energy — when you eat right, you feel lighter, more focused, and full of life. You truly are what you eat. When balanced nutrition is combined with regular movement, it enhances everything — your energy, confidence, sleep, performance, focus, and even your skin. It’s not just about appearance; it’s about vitality. What you eat directly shapes how you think, move, and perform. The majority of who you are — physically, mentally, and emotionally — begins with what you fuel your body with.

We have continued to grow — expanding from a gym into a fully-fledged wellness and medical facility that now includes our clinic, pharmacy, event spaces, and dental facility in partnership with MyDentist, as well as Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics (LHD) operating our laboratory center.

Q Tell us briefly about your recent anniversary celebrations at Body Doc.

Our recent anniversary celebrations at Body Doc was a beautiful moment of gratitude and reflection with our team — the people who have been part of the Body Doc journey through every challenge and milestone. It was a reminder of how far we have come, especially through the difficult years of COVID, the Easter attacks, and the economic recession. Despite every obstacle, we have continued to grow — expanding from a gym into a fully-fledged wellness and medical facility that now includes our clinic, pharmacy, event spaces, and dental facility in partnership with MyDentist, as well as Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics (LHD) operating our laboratory center. It was truly a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and the continuous effort to provide the best possible service for our members. 

Q Finally, tell us about your plans for Body Doc for the future.

The future of Body Doc is focused on digital wellness, education, and global transformation. Having established our physical facilities, our next step is to expand our reach through Body Doc’s 12-Week Weight Management Programme, conducted by myself. This programme has already transformed lives through personalised home or gym workouts paired with structured diet plans. Our goal is to empower individuals to prevent, manage, or even reverse conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia through evidence-based nutrition, fitness, and medical guidance. The future of Body Doc is about transforming more lives, making sustainable wellness accessible everywhere, and continuing to blend science, care, and lifestyle to help people live their healthiest, happiest lives.