Rising Stars: Meet Tanvi Lonkar of Grant Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanvi Lonkar.

Hi Tanvi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is a bit of a winding road — one that started in India, brought me to the U.S. for college, and led me to build a life here as a sustainability consultant and content creator. I work a 9-5 in the built environment industry, helping buildings get LEED certified and advising on sustainable design. But outside of that, I’ve always been someone who’s curious, expressive, and community-driven.

I started sharing snippets of my life on Instagram—workouts, running, balancing a corporate job, and moments of self-reflection—and found that so many women related to the same struggles and goals. Slowly, my content started growing, not because I was trying to be “influential,” but because I was being honest. I wanted to show what it really looks like to train for a marathon after a full day of work, or to navigate your 20s and 30s as an immigrant trying to figure out identity, ambition, and joy all at once.

Now, I feel like I live at the intersection of discipline and creativity—whether I’m writing LEED narratives or editing a reel at midnight. I’m proud of the little community I’ve built online and offline, and I’m still learning, evolving, and sharing as I go.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road—more like a trail run with surprise hills! There have been seasons of deep doubt, burnout, and feeling like I wasn’t “enough” in any area—work, content, or even relationships. Juggling a demanding 9-5 with content creation looks doable on the outside, but behind the scenes, there were and still are late nights, missed deadlines, and moments where I questioned if I was trying to do too much.

One of the hardest parts has been the mental load of constantly switching roles—consultant, creator, athlete, partner, daughter. And as an immigrant woman in the U.S., I’ve also carried a lot of internal pressure to prove myself—at work, online, and to my own family back home. That push to “do more” sometimes led me to ignore signs of burnout until it caught up with me.

But I think the struggle taught me resilience. I’ve learned how to say no, how to protect my energy, and how to redefine success on my own terms—not based on likes or promotions, but on whether I feel aligned with my values. That shift has made all the difference.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a few different hats, but at the core of it all, I help people and projects move toward a more intentional, sustainable life—whether that’s through buildings or through mindset. By day, I’m a sustainability consultant and project manager in the built environment industry. I work with architecture and construction teams to help their buildings meet green standards like LEED certification, which basically means making spaces healthier for people and better for the planet.

Outside of work, I create content around fitness, running, hybrid training, and navigating life as a South Asian woman in the U.S. I’m most known for showing the “real” side of balancing a corporate job with long runs, gym sessions, and content creation. I don’t pretend to have it all together—but I share what I learn, what I mess up, and what keeps me going. That honesty is what’s helped me build trust with my audience.

What I’m most proud of is being able to inspire women—especially women of color who don’t always see themselves represented—to take up space, lift heavy, run far, and chase their goals unapologetically. I think what sets me apart is that I don’t try to fit into a single category. I’m not just a “fitness girl” or a “consultant” or an “influencer.” I’m a real person showing up fully in all of those spaces—and I think that blend resonates with a lot of people trying to do the same.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising? I think most people are caught off guard when they find out that I’m actually super introverted. I show up on camera almost daily, post videos, talk to brands, and share my thoughts online—but I deeply value quiet time, being alone, and unplugging from everything. I genuinely need that space to feel grounded.

Another thing people might not know is that I’m a huge art lover—I’ve always loved painting and drawing. Before fitness and sustainability, I actually dreamed of becoming an artist. I still find ways to keep that side of me alive through creative direction in my content and little bursts of doodling or journaling when no one’s watching.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanvilonkar/