Ambika Chauhan Nair

I am a Senior Assistant Professor of Practice at one of India’s leading hospitality business institutes: Indian School of Hospitality. Over the years, I have had the privilege of teaching and mentoring undergraduate students, with a focus on Hospitality Operations, Technology and Innovation in Tourism, and Sustainable Practices. I strive to make my classroom engaging and relevant by blending case studies, experiential learning, and industry collaborations, ensuring my students gain both knowledge and practical insight into the evolving hospitality landscape. Outside of academia, I am an endurance athlete with a deep passion for running and fitness. The discipline, resilience, and consistency I practice as an athlete strongly influence my professional journey, shaping the way I teach and lead. Whether in the classroom or on long runs, I believe in perseverance, positivity, and balance—values I aim to pass on to my students.

I am deeply passionate about shaping future hospitality leaders through engaging, practice-oriented teaching that blends innovation, sustainability, and industry relevance. My curiosity for emerging trends in hospitality and tourism—ranging from AI and AR/VR to eco-friendly practices—fuels the way I design learning experiences for my students. Beyond the classroom, my journey as an endurance athlete reflects my belief in discipline, resilience, and balance, qualities I bring into my professional and personal life. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to motivating and inspiring those around me with positivity, energy, and purpose.

Endurance Thinking: Lessons from the Track for the Classroom The mindset that helps an athlete push through marathons—discipline, resilience, pacing, and joy in small wins—can also transform how we learn, teach, and lead. Teaching with Energy: How Play, Positivity, and Sarcasm Can Redefine Learning. Students don’t just learn content—they absorb energy. By teaching with humor, positivity, and creativity, we can make learning stick in ways textbooks never could.

Hospitality, Long Distance Running, Tourism

I realized early in my journey as both an educator and then as an endurance athlete that the principles that get you through a long run are the same ones that make learning stick. Endurance isn’t just about physical stamina—it’s about pacing yourself, embracing resilience when the going gets tough, celebrating small wins, and showing up consistently even when motivation wanes. In my classroom, I apply these lessons every day: breaking complex hospitality concepts into manageable pieces, encouraging students to persist through challenges, and creating engaging, memorable experiences that build confidence and momentum. Whether on the track or in the lecture hall, I’ve learned that the mindset of endurance transforms the way we teach, learn, and approach life itself.

Beyond my role as an educator, I excel at transforming complex concepts into clear, engaging, and practical learning experiences? I bring the same discipline and resilience from endurance sports into designing meaningful lessons that leave a lasting impact on my students.