As she celebrates another year of life on July 25, powerlifter Gaurii Manochaa is embracing the lessons that have come with her fitness journey. Known for her dedication to natural strength training, Gaurii says the past year has taught her to trust herself more than ever before and to stop seeking validation from others.

Reflecting on her personal growth, she shares, “Over the last year, I have become much more truthful, honest and confident with myself. I have started believing in myself more, and I think that has made the biggest difference—not just in powerlifting but in life. Earlier, I used to overthink what people would say or how they would judge me. Today, I focus on what I think about myself, because that is what truly matters.”
For Gaurii, success is built on discipline rather than temporary motivation. She believes consistency is what separates those who achieve their goals from those who give up midway.

“Motivation comes and goes, but consistency stays. You cannot depend only on motivation because there will be days when you don’t feel like training. That’s when discipline takes over. It’s always you versus you. The biggest competition is with the person you were yesterday, not with anyone else. Whenever you feel like giving up, just remember where you started and how far you’ve already come. That thought alone can give you the strength to keep moving forward,” she says.

Talking about her fitness goals for the coming year, Gaurii reveals that she wants to continue improving naturally while making a name for herself in Indian powerlifting. “I want to lose more weight while becoming stronger naturally. My biggest goal for the next year is to establish myself as one of India’s renowned natural powerlifters. I want every achievement to come through hard work, patience and consistency,” she says.

While powerlifting remains her passion, Gaurii also offers practical advice to young athletes who dream of pursuing the sport professionally. She encourages them to focus on education and financial stability alongside their sporting ambitions. “I always tell aspiring powerlifters not to rely on the sport as their only source of income, especially in the beginning. Complete your education, build a career, have a job or a business, and pursue powerlifting alongside it. Success and financial rewards take time in this sport. If you have a stable foundation, you can enjoy the journey without unnecessary pressure,” she explains.

Sharing her birthday plans, Gaurii says she intends to keep the celebrations simple and meaningful. “I’ll be celebrating my birthday with my family and close friends. For me, birthdays are about gratitude, spending quality time with loved ones, and reflecting on how much I’ve grown over the past year. I’m excited for what lies ahead and ready to work even harder for my dreams.”

Ending with a message for everyone chasing their goals, Gaurii says, “Believe in yourself, stay consistent, and stop worrying about what other people think. Your journey is your own, and every small step counts. Keep showing up every single day because that’s what eventually leads to success.”