I was never someone who spoke much growing up. I kept to myself and felt nervous around new people. Starting a conversation or speaking in front of others was always a struggle. But there was one place where I felt completely different – the playground.

I always loved sports; volleyball, in particular. I enjoyed the game and spent as much time as I could playing and practising. I was even qualified to play at the district level. For me, that was more than just an achievement; it was the first time I began to understand what discipline and commitment could do.

A big part of that journey was my PT teacher. He saw my interest in the game and encouraged me to take it seriously. He pushed me to practise harder and aim higher. Sometimes, I would feel tired or lose motivation, but he taught me that you cannot improve by giving up when things become difficult. You have to keep showing up. That became my motto in life.

At home too, I grew up watching my parents work hard. My father was a security officer, and my mother worked as a chef. Both of them worked hard to support our family, and watching them taught me the value of commitment. There was no shortcut in their lives. They went to work every day and did what was necessary for the family. 

While sports gave me discipline, confidence was something that I always struggled with. I could play Volleyball in front of a crowd, but speaking to people was a different matter. I was still hesitant around strangers and usually preferred to stay in the background. 

Then came the turning point when I decided to contest for the position of School Pupil Leader. For someone like me, it was not an easy decision. But I had to overcome my fears.

I had to talk to people I did not know and put myself in situations I would normally avoid. There were times when I felt uncomfortable and nervous. But the experience slowly forced me to come out of my shell. The more I interacted with people, the easier it became.

I began speaking with more confidence. I came to understand that leadership was not something you were simply born with. Sometimes, you discover it only after you are willing to step into situations that scared you.

When I completed my 10th grade, I joined the Indian Navy.  The discipline I had first learned through sports now became part of my everyday life. The Navy taught me the importance of working as a team, taking responsibility, and staying committed no matter how demanding the situation was. The confidence I had begun to build during my school years also helped me adapt to a completely new environment.

Over time, I became a Physical Trainer in the Indian Navy.

Today, I train officers in fitness, sports, and swimming. It is a role that brings together many things that have been part of my journey from the beginning. Every day, I work with people who need physical strength, discipline, teamwork, and the confidence to push themselves further.

In many ways, I now find myself doing what my PTE sir once did for me.

I train people. I encourage them to stay committed. I push them to do better and help them realise that progress takes time and consistency. My PTE Sir played an important role in shaping me during my school days, and today, I understand how much one person’s encouragement can influence someone else.

My career has taken me to different parts of the country. I have served in Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, and now Odisha. Every posting has been different. I have met different people, worked in new environments, and learned to adapt to change.

But wherever I have gone, I have carried the lessons I learned much earlier.

I am still in touch with my teachers, and their encouragement continues to mean a lot to me. Even today, they motivate me to keep learning and growing.

The boy who once preferred to stay quiet now trains and leads others. And as I continue my journey, I want to keep growing, not only as a Physical Trainer, but also as a leader and as a person. Because the confidence I have today began with a few people who encouraged me to take a step forward when I was not sure I could. And sometimes, that is all it takes to begin changing.