Powerlifter and businesswoman Gaurii Manochaa believes that strength isn’t just about lifting heavy weights—it’s about mastering the mind. Having proudly represented India on international platforms, Gaurii says every competition has taught her resilience, discipline, and the importance of believing in herself, even under immense pressure.
Speaking about how she prepares mentally before competitions, Gaurii shared that experience has transformed her mindset over the years. “I used to be nervous during competitions in the beginning. But as I kept competing and started winning, it became a matter of great pride to win for India. Seeing my family and well-wishers feel proud is the biggest motivation for me. There is no greater happiness than that, and that’s what prepares me mentally.”
Despite her achievements, Gaurii admits that pre-competition nerves never completely disappear. “Of course, I get nervous. But I have to control my nervousness because it’s just a matter of 30 seconds. Those 30 seconds are a do-or-die situation. If I control my mind, I overcome my fear. But if I let my mind control me, I lose. So I choose to control my mind rather than letting it control me.”
Sharing her pre-meet routine, Gaurii revealed that music, discipline and self-focus help her stay in the zone. “Once the competition starts, I put on my headphones, play loud music and focus only on my own lifts. I don’t pay attention to what others are doing because I just want to become a better version of myself. Along with that, I follow a proper routine that includes carb loading, stretching and my competition diet.”
She also makes a conscious effort to block out distractions before stepping onto the platform. “I avoid unnecessary conversations, keep motivating myself, meditate and remind myself that I can do it. Staying mentally focused is just as important as physical preparation.”
Like every athlete, Gaurii has experienced setbacks, but she believes it’s the response to failure that defines a champion. “Missing a lift definitely affects my confidence. But I remind myself that I can’t let one failed attempt ruin my next one. Otherwise, all the hard work goes to waste. I meditate, motivate myself and focus on what’s ahead instead of what has already happened.”
Recalling one of the most stressful moments of her career, Gaurii revealed how circumstances almost worked against her. “I once reached a competition late and missed one of my attempts. My next attempt was just five minutes away. I didn’t get time to warm up or even follow my nutrition routine. I had to go straight for the lift, and unfortunately I failed it. That was probably the most pressure-filled moment I’ve ever experienced.”
One of her happiest memories came when her coach surprised her with an unexpected personal record. “I couldn’t hit that personal record in training, so my coach secretly added 10 kg to the bar. I thought I was lifting 110 kg, but it was actually 120 kg. When I found out later, I was overjoyed. It made me realise that sometimes we’re capable of much more than we think.”
As someone who has built a successful career both in business and sport, Gaurii says her family’s unwavering support has helped her deal with expectations and criticism alike. “My family always tells me that even if I didn’t win, I still performed better than before. That keeps me motivated. There will always be trolls and people who try to pull you down, but if I give up on myself, how will I move forward? I just stay focused and remain consistent.”
For Gaurii, true greatness in sport isn’t measured only by medals but also by character. “Suppose you deserved the gold medal but won silver because of unfair judging. Even then, it’s your responsibility as a sportsperson to congratulate the winner. The judges may have made a mistake, but that isn’t the other athlete’s fault. Showing sportsmanship and maturity is what separates a great lifter from a good lifter.”
Summing up the mindset she carries every time she steps onto the platform, Gaurii says her only competition is herself. “My mindset is simple—I stay focused on improving my own lifts rather than worrying about anyone else. Every competition is about becoming a better version of myself.”
