She spends her mornings treating patients in her dental clinic and her evenings under a barbell loaded with more than she weighs. Dr. Arathi Arun — dentist, mother of two, and one of India’s most decorated powerlifters — never set out to make a statement. She just wanted to get back into shape after her second pregnancy.
But when someone told her powerlifting “wasn’t for women like her,” something shifted. What began as a quiet rebellion against a discouraging comment turned into Commonwealth gold, Asian gold, and a career built on proving that strength has no age, gender, or job title attached to it.
Along the way, she fractured her humerus mid-lift at 170kg, rebuilt her body with a titanium plate and 12 screws still in her arm, and returned to the platform anyway.
Today, she’s one of the most compelling voices in Women Fitness — living proof that motherhood, a demanding career, and elite strength training can coexist, and even fuel each other. In this candid interview, Arathi opens up about her toughest moment on the platform, what she really eats on competition day, and her message to every woman who thinks she’s “too old” to start.
What first drew you to powerlifting after your second pregnancy, and what kept you sticking with it?
I never started powerlifting with the intention of becoming a powerlifter. After my second pregnancy, I started going to the gym just to get back into shape.
Then someone told me that powerlifting is a men’s sport and that women cannot really do it. They asked me, “You are married, you have children, you are already a dentist — why do you want to get into all this?” Honestly, that hurt my ego.
I thought, why not? Just because I am a woman, a mother, and a dentist, why should I not be able to do it?
Initially, it was almost like I wanted to prove them wrong. But once I started lifting, I got completely involved in it. Then it became much bigger than proving somebody wrong. It became a part of me.
Which of your titles — Commonwealth gold, Asian gold, Best Lifter — means the most to you, and why?
Every medal has a different emotion attached to it. My Commonwealth gold is very special because it was a big moment in my journey. Representing your country and standing there with the gold medal is something you cannot really explain.
But honestly, sometimes I feel the biggest achievement is not the medal itself. It is the journey behind it — the early mornings, the training, managing my family, my dental practice, and still finding the strength to compete. The medal is what people see. They don’t see everything that happened before.
Take us through the moment your humerus fractured during that 170kg lift. What was going through your mind?
“I have the Asian Championship coming up in just 20 days”
It was one of the most frightening moments of my sporting journey, but honestly, the pain was not the first thing on my mind. I knew immediately that something was seriously wrong. Later, I had a titanium plate put in with 12 screws.
I wasn’t thinking, “How much is this going to hurt?” I was thinking, “What is going to happen to my competition? Will I be able to compete?” The injury was physically painful, but mentally, it was the fear that all the hard work I had put in would be wasted.
How did you rebuild — physically and mentally — with a titanium plate and 12 screws in your arm, and what pulled you back to the platform?
Physically, it was very difficult. I had to start from the beginning — very small movements, very small weights, slowly building my strength back.
Mentally, it was even harder. When you have been lifting heavy weights and suddenly you cannot even do simple things, it affects you a lot. What kept me going was my love for the sport. I kept telling myself, “I have come this far. Why should I stop now?”
The first time I started lifting properly again was a very emotional moment for me. I felt like I had got a part of myself back.
What does a typical meal look like for a training day, especially with so much talked about protein?
My diet is actually quite simple. Because I train heavy, protein is very important — I usually have eggs, fish, chicken, dairy, and protein supplements, depending on what my body needs and how my training is that day.
I also eat rice and normal Indian food. I am Indian, so I am not going to say I live only on salads! For me, it is more about balance, portion control, and consistency.
How do you balance running a dental practice with elite training and competition prep?
Fitting powerlifting into a full life, not around it
Honestly, it is not easy at all. I have my patients, family responsibilities, and children, and at the same time, my training and competitions.
There were days when I would finish work and still have to go and train, even when I was tired. I never had a separate life just for powerlifting — I had to fit powerlifting into my life. It is all about discipline and time management.
What does your nutrition look like on competition day versus the off-season?
During competition prep, I am much more careful — enough protein and carbohydrates for energy and recovery. On competition day, I keep it very simple. I don’t try anything new. I eat what I know suits my body, stay hydrated, and make sure I have enough energy to perform.
In the off-season, I’m a little more relaxed, though I still eat properly. Food should give you energy, especially when you’re training heavy.
What has it been like competing in a male-dominated sport, and how has that perception shifted as your medals piled up?
When I started, I was told many times that powerlifting is a man’s sport. Those comments actually made me more determined.
“I want women to understand that strength does not belong only to men. Women can be strong too.”
Slowly, as I started winning medals and setting records, the way people looked at me changed. People who once questioned whether I could do it started respecting me.
What would you tell a woman in her 40s who thinks she’s “too old” to start strength training?
Absolutely not — you are not too old. I started after my second pregnancy. I was already married, I had children, and I was already a dentist. I didn’t start this journey as a young athlete.
You don’t have to become a powerlifter. Start with simple strength training. Start slowly and listen to your body. Women spend so many years looking after their children, family, and everyone around them. But you also need to look after yourself. And sometimes, when you give yourself that opportunity, you will be surprised by what you are capable of.
What’s next for you — records you’re chasing, or a new goal altogether?
I still have a lot of goals. My journey isn’t over. There are records I want to chase and competitions I want to be part of.
But today, it is not only about the numbers. After everything I have gone through — especially my injury and comeback — my goal is also to inspire other women. I want them to believe that age, marriage, children, or a career don’t have to stop them from doing something for themselves.
I don’t know exactly where this journey will take me, but I know one thing — I am not ready to stop yet.
Dr. Arathi Arun’s story is a reminder that strength training has no expiry date and no gatekeepers. For every woman weighing whether it’s “too late” to start — her answer is simple: it isn’t, and you’re more capable than you think.