--- title: "Powerlifting Stories: Grit, Technique, and Competition Results" description: "Explore how Team Strength Mob builds powerlifters through grit, science-based programming, and injury management. Real stories of strength from Indian powerlifters." canonical: https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/stories-of-grit-beyond-the-barbell last_updated: 2025-12-29 --- # Real stories of grit in powerlifting Tribe Verified · Coaching athletes at National and International levels By [Vedant Pawnikar](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar) · Online coaching across India; In-person sessions in Mumbai · ₹2,000 per session (estimate) Part of [Powerlifting Coaching](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/gallery) Strength is forged in adversity. See how my athletes, from busy professionals to parents, push past their limits to own the platform. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ad178cb7-9dee-4011-9ae2-143aeaf59f0f) - [Video: Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/64a5b79a-27af-4d45-9dfa-d3cc8ab9fd7f) - [Video: Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c74a228f-b05e-435e-984c-2ff7a44869fc) - [Video: Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fa37ef6d-cdc1-4fc6-aad2-354ca5c4b839) - ![Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b4245d76-4958-4f47-aabd-9ad0b13844c5) - [Video: Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/19c0a966-e82d-4562-8f01-eafb84ebbb77) - [Video: Shweta, a dentist, at her first National Championship. We corrected her basic technique, including breathing and bracing, and she added 42.5kg to her total, earning a bronze medal. Her journey from a general fitness plan to a powerlifting podium is remarkable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a28c99d0-187d-44ae-848c-6b785dda9afc) - [Video: Yuti's journey to a bronze medal after overcoming immense personal loss. Despite the emotional toll and a last-minute weight cut affecting her strength, her determination to get back on the platform and perform is a testament to her resilience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90013f3f-009f-4d35-9971-108797065728) - [Video: Yuti's journey to a bronze medal after overcoming immense personal loss. Despite the emotional toll and a last-minute weight cut affecting her strength, her determination to get back on the platform and perform is a testament to her resilience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8b4c4add-e5c3-419c-a5be-f8af5c5a8557) - [Video: Yuti's journey to a bronze medal after overcoming immense personal loss. Despite the emotional toll and a last-minute weight cut affecting her strength, her determination to get back on the platform and perform is a testament to her resilience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/93f59434-0632-4287-afa6-592d8a752a0e) - ![Yuti's journey to a bronze medal after overcoming immense personal loss. Despite the emotional toll and a last-minute weight cut affecting her strength, her determination to get back on the platform and perform is a testament to her resilience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4976444f-49ce-48fe-93c9-b3d424eebd5e) - [Video: Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/047e61f4-5c2d-46e1-8b3b-12d4dcb21dc2) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7cafe2f9-de48-48b2-be6f-ad692630fa5e) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b927bf8f-0970-479b-a5b7-da8fb6935922) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bd6a2d6a-c293-4422-bd35-8c47400f1154) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f8573fc4-7e67-446f-ba9e-9f3e559a38fa) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/af631202-949d-4e06-a401-5c050b85eb1a) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cc817077-7094-4a04-b7d7-4086f61126ea) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/35aebed0-60e8-404b-aa8b-68c49b6140fd) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cb6cf468-36eb-4dc5-9017-e68e97631d2d) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/52b993d6-84a2-4050-88cf-1eea91483f74) - ![Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a5e1e99d-a849-4d0c-85b0-46633693ebd1) - [Video: Pooja's battle with thoracic endometriosis and adenomyosis. Doctors advised her to stop lifting heavy, but she returned to the national stage to set a new deadlift record at 197.5kg, the highest raw deadlift by any female in PI history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c76297d1-f557-4d93-92e4-ea1b322704e4) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2a86dc4-1ab6-486a-a28c-0c57baaa8a57) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c6c13b16-1fdb-486e-8adb-cd4703d2bce1) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f7851b78-5abd-4fa5-8089-29aaecdbe7a3) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ede138b2-31b2-4e7c-9ec9-a66cad5da884) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/86e07b41-0eee-4adf-90ae-27f771cf43ee) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d18befb6-09d8-4de9-962e-4d4b46532d6a) - ![Siddhi competing at her first Open Nationals while managing a family health crisis. Despite sleepless nights and disrupted training, her strong-headed character shone through as she hit a 140kg squat and placed 7th in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/66391f1b-5aaf-435e-8cb9-643eabf3c266) - [Video: Priyanshi's comeback from a severe lower back injury. After being unable to walk or sleep without pain, we focused on rehab and smart training, allowing her to return to the platform and compete at nationals just weeks later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ed925d3f-3559-4ab6-9c36-53c267693474) - ![Priyanshi's comeback from a severe lower back injury. After being unable to walk or sleep without pain, we focused on rehab and smart training, allowing her to return to the platform and compete at nationals just weeks later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/97b32139-85e4-4230-a83d-6e46d616a6d7) - [Video: Priyanshi's comeback from a severe lower back injury. After being unable to walk or sleep without pain, we focused on rehab and smart training, allowing her to return to the platform and compete at nationals just weeks later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12964125-4fa8-4e21-bdc2-75f3a3250033) - [Video: Priyanshi's comeback from a severe lower back injury. After being unable to walk or sleep without pain, we focused on rehab and smart training, allowing her to return to the platform and compete at nationals just weeks later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c8af0248-fcf7-4fc3-ad64-248784cc9827) - [Video: Priyanshi's comeback from a severe lower back injury. After being unable to walk or sleep without pain, we focused on rehab and smart training, allowing her to return to the platform and compete at nationals just weeks later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7ed4fc11-0ce4-48ca-acd2-896ae8cf2906) - [Video: Sowmya, a mother of twins battling endometriosis and managing a high-profile job, competing at the Masters Nationals. She narrowly missed a deadlift medal but showed what she's made of by attempting a 145kg pull she had never tried in prep.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b684eb7-1858-4b0f-a804-afe9604509a9) - [Video: Sowmya, a mother of twins battling endometriosis and managing a high-profile job, competing at the Masters Nationals. She narrowly missed a deadlift medal but showed what she's made of by attempting a 145kg pull she had never tried in prep.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/96f9df89-6a91-4ca6-8d8b-048be3f23b2d) - ![Sowmya, a mother of twins battling endometriosis and managing a high-profile job, competing at the Masters Nationals. She narrowly missed a deadlift medal but showed what she's made of by attempting a 145kg pull she had never tried in prep.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/02053c1e-54b9-4536-af3b-0edbf6cab189) - [Video: Sowmya, a mother of twins battling endometriosis and managing a high-profile job, competing at the Masters Nationals. She narrowly missed a deadlift medal but showed what she's made of by attempting a 145kg pull she had never tried in prep.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0c5603f9-2f47-47b1-88ff-35e0f9c53cb9) - [Video: Sowmya, a mother of twins battling endometriosis and managing a high-profile job, competing at the Masters Nationals. She narrowly missed a deadlift medal but showed what she's made of by attempting a 145kg pull she had never tried in prep.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ec21cb0f-9127-4cc1-b5ad-b2bbff60a891) ## About Stories of Grit: Beyond the Barbell You will see PRs and medals here, but the real work happened long before the meet. My athletes are dentists, mothers, and students dealing with health battles or personal loss. I focus on modifying training loads around their actual lives, ensuring they reach competition day stronger and injury-free, not just burned out. Powerlifting is often reduced to the total weight on the bar, but the path to that total is rarely a straight line. I work with athletes who juggle high-pressure jobs, family responsibilities, and significant health challenges like thoracic endometriosis or the recovery from personal loss. My coaching philosophy is built on three pillars: technical accuracy, sustainable volume, and human-centric programming. For athletes like Pooja, who returned to the stage to set national deadlift records despite a medical diagnosis, the goal wasn't just adding more weight. It was managing pain and fatigue so she could perform without compromising her health. For Shweta, the challenge was transitioning from a generic fitness template to a sport-specific plan, which required correcting fundamental biomechanics in her Squat, Bench, and Deadlift. If you are tired of programs that do not account for your life outside the gym, we should talk. Whether you are dealing with a nagging injury or you have hit a strength plateau, I provide detailed SBD video analysis, specific biomechanical corrections, and competition-specific peaking strategies. We start with where you are today, not where a generic template says you should be. ## About Vedant Pawnikar I'm Vedant Pawnikar, a powerlifting and strength coach. I don't just coach for numbers. I coach for the person behind the bar. Whether you're a beginner with back pain or a veteran chasing a national medal, I'm here to build your grit and your technique. [See all of Vedant Pawnikar's services](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar) ## More from Powerlifting Coaching by Vedant Pawnikar - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/featured) - [Forging Champions on the World Stage](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/forging-champions-on-the-world-stage) - [Mastering the Squat](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/mastering-the-squat) - [Building the Bench Press](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/building-the-bench-press) - [Conquering the Deadlift](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/conquering-the-deadlift) - [Coaching in Action: The Grind](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/coaching-in-action-the-grind) - [Team Strength Mob: Podiums & Wins](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/team-strength-mob-podiums-wins) - [My Coaching Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-coaching/my-coaching-philosophy) ## More services by Vedant Pawnikar - [Powerlifting Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention](https://mytribe.in/vedantpawnikar/powerlifting-injury-rehabilitation-prevention) ## Similar work from other experts - [Behind the Lifts: The Real Grind at Powerlifting Studio](https://mytribe.in/pankajtyagi002/sports-supplement-gear-consultation/behind-the-lifts) by Pankaj Tyagi · Sports Supplement & Gear Consultation · Available across India; Visit PowerLifting Studio in Matiala, New Delhi - [Powerlifting Training After Injury: How to Come Back Stronger](https://mytribe.in/amit_yadav_0509/competitive-powerlifting-coaching/the-comeback-story-stronger-than-setbacks) by Amit Yadav · Competitive Powerlifting Coaching · Online coaching available; In-person training across Delhi NCR & at A2 Fitness, Lodi Colony - [Real Powerlifting & Strongman Competition Wins](https://mytribe.in/coach_vishwapowerlift/strongman-training/on-the-competition-platform) by Vishwanath Bhaskar · Strongman Training · Online coaching & Studio training in Jayanagar - [Strength Training Lessons from the Competition Floor](https://mytribe.in/apuorva.sinha/strength-and-conditioning-coaching/on-the-competition-floor) by Apuorva Sinha · Strength and Conditioning Coaching · Available online and for in-person sessions across Bengaluru & Mumbai - [My Road to National Gold: A Powerlifter's Journey](https://mytribe.in/shiksfitness/online-strength-nutrition-coaching-for-women/the-powerlifter-s-journey-my-competitions-medals) by Shikha Singh · Online Strength & Nutrition Coaching for Women · Online coaching available across India - [Powerlifting Competition & Performance Highlights](https://mytribe.in/thehook___/strength-performance-coaching/on-the-platform) by Hook · Strength & Performance Coaching · Online coaching available; In-person training at gyms in Domlur, Jakkur, and across Bengaluru ## Book To book Vedant Pawnikar, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Vedant%2C%20I%20saw%20the%20'Stories%20of%20Grit'%20on%20your%20profile.%20I'd%20like%20to%20discuss%20my%20powerlifting%20goals%20and%20how%20you%20can%20help%20me%20get%20stronger.)