Trunika, an aerospace professional and content creator based in Hyderabad, India, is redefining what it means to pursue a high-pressure career while making space for fitness, creativity, travel, and personal growth.
In this exclusive interview with Women Fitness India, she opens up about her journey from childhood fascination with airplanes to working in India’s growing private space sector, her experience as a woman in aerospace engineering, and the wellness practices that keep her physically and mentally strong.
From contributing to the Vikram-1 mission to practicing yoga five days a week, Trunika’s journey reflects the power of curiosity, discipline, resilience, and balance.
A Career Among the Stars
Growing up in a middle-class family in Pune, Trunika developed a fascination for aerospace at an early age. She remembers spending hours playing with toy airplanes and wondering how they could fly. What began as childhood curiosity eventually developed into a passion for aviation and space technology, inspiring her to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Her academic journey allowed her to gain practical experience through an internship at DRDO, where she worked on composite structure manufacturing. This hands-on exposure to advanced aerospace components helped confirm that aerospace engineering was the field in which she wanted to build her career.
One of the defining experiences of her professional journey has been being part of the team working on Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket. Being involved in such an ambitious project early in her career has provided invaluable technical exposure and the opportunity to work alongside talented engineers.
For Trunika, witnessing key milestones of the mission has been particularly memorable. Seeing years of engineering work come together gave her a profound sense of accomplishment and strengthened her passion for innovation within India’s space industry.
Breaking Barriers as a Woman in Aerospace
Entering the aerospace industry also meant navigating a predominantly male work environment. When Trunika joined the composites structure manufacturing department, she was the only woman on her team.
Rather than allowing this to intimidate her, she focused on developing her technical skills, taking ownership of her responsibilities, and demonstrating her capabilities through consistent performance. Working closely with engineers and technicians helped her build strong professional relationships and earn the confidence of her colleagues.
Her experience taught her that talent, dedication, and commitment have no gender. For Trunika, being a woman in aerospace is not about constantly proving that women belong in the industry—it is about contributing through knowledge, teamwork, hard work, and performance.
Fitness as Fuel for a Demanding Career
Aerospace engineering requires precision, concentration, and long hours, making wellness an important part of Trunika’s lifestyle.
She believes that even with a demanding professional schedule, making time for health and fitness is possible when it becomes a priority. Her weekly routine centers around yoga five days a week, which helps her stay physically active, focused, and better equipped to manage stress.
She also enjoys badminton and swimming once a week, combining structured exercise with activities that are enjoyable and refreshing.
For Trunika, consistency matters more than an extreme workout routine. Making movement a regular part of her lifestyle helps her maintain both physical well-being and mental focus.
Trunika on Building Mental Resilience
Exercise, reading, and organization are the three habits Trunika relies on to stay mentally resilient. Regular physical activity helps her manage stress, reading keeps her mind engaged, and staying organized allows her to maintain clarity during challenging projects.
Her approach demonstrates the important connection between physical and mental wellness, particularly for women managing demanding careers.
Healthy Eating for Energy and Performance
Trunika follows a simple approach to nutrition, preferring home-cooked meals that allow her to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. She also tries to avoid direct sugar intake.
Rather than following complicated diets, she focuses on mindful food choices that support her energy, productivity, physical health, and mental performance.
Finding Balance Beyond Aerospace
Outside engineering, Trunika finds inspiration through travel, fitness, storytelling, and art.
Travel allows her to step away from the fast-paced professional environment, explore new cultures, and gain fresh perspectives. Fitness keeps her active, while storytelling and art provide creative outlets.
Together, these passions help her recharge, stay curious, and return to her professional life with renewed energy and creativity.
Dream Big, Work Hard, Stay Fearless
Looking ahead, Trunika hopes to continue contributing to meaningful advancements in the aerospace industry while continuing to learn, grow, and challenge herself.
Her message to women who feel their dreams may be too ambitious is simple: dream big and do not be afraid to be ambitious.
She encourages women to step outside their comfort zones, work hard, trust their abilities, and refuse to let fear or self-doubt dictate their choices.
Trunika’s journey—from a young girl fascinated by toy airplanes to an aerospace professional contributing to India’s private space journey—is a powerful reminder that ambition has no ceiling. Her story shows that women can pursue extraordinary careers while prioritizing fitness, creativity, wellness, and personal growth.
