Mayuri Kohli inspiration
This blog post was written for the Women’s Day Blog Hop,
themed She: A Tribute to Her, hosted by Swarnali Nath.
As she was born with a congenital defect, called Spina Bifida, Mayuri Kohli, has undergone 14 operations and has been on crutches and then in a wheelchair from the age of 8. This birth defect affected her mobility and forced her into a sedentary lifestyle.
Due to having no control over my skeletal muscles that managed my urine and faeces outflow, I would regularly leak in public which was not only difficult (due to adult diapers being a rarity in those days), but also embarrassing.
Another challenge I faced for a decade was tropic ulcers. They would be 2 inches deep and remained unhealed for many years. My mom had to bandage them every single morning before I left for school. When I went to the UK, they healed with a sophisticated treatment there. Even though all this pain was part and parcel of my life, I was proud of myself when I managed to travel alone to become a graduate in Pune and complete my MBA in the UK.
I always wanted to have a baby. After marriage, the doctor suggested I try surrogacy as I have no sensation waist-down, so, it would be difficult to conceive or handle the prenatal stage. I also had PCOS. But I also wanted to be pregnant and give birth to my baby. My husband was very supportive. We tried IUI and I was strictly on bed rest throughout my pregnancy. I had experienced all the not-so-good parts of pregnancy right from morning sickness to bleeding. I was also admitted to the hospital a couple of times. With God’s grace, in 2016, I delivered two healthy babies at full term!
I had always been on the heavier side due to immobility. After delivering my two beautiful daughters, I was dedicated to taking care of them and their health. I breastfed them for almost 3 years. I was so absorbed into motherhood that I had forgotten about myself. I started putting on even more weight and managed to reach 104 kgs. I had a lot of health issues and found it unable to even walk a little with my crutches. Then, in 2019, I was diagnosed with a minor heart problem called low Ejection Fraction of LV due to which I was susceptible to heart failure. I wanted to take care of myself so that I see my daughters grow.
I am so dedicated that come what may I make sure that I work out every single day. I have had to make a lot of lifestyle changes, adjust my eating habits, be as active as possible and swallow some nutrition powders. My weight reduced from 104 to 68 kgs. My dream is to be a ‘hotty’ at forty. And probably also have a bikini photo-shoot on the beaches of Ibiza. Or become a wheelchair model at the least! 😉
Being in a wheelchair for a major part of your life is definitely not a joke. Even though many of us need to lose weight due to various health issues, we find excuses to ignore it. We depend on medications when we can easily adjust a few things in our lives to prevent taking them. What will push us to begin improving ourselves?
Mayuri, despite her numerous health complications, has shown us the true meaning of ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’. She has completed her graduation, enjoyed giving birth, built a family and also lost the excess weight that was causing her multiple problems. I found her story to be the epitome of determination, perseverance and willpower.
If you know of someone as inspiring as Mayuri, do let us know in the comments below. We all need inspiration to move on in life, don’t we? For more inspirational women, click here.
Till then hope you have a Happy Women’s Month!
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.
59 Comments
Hats off to Mayuri! That’s quite a feat!
Wow, I am completely in awe with Mayuri Kohli. Many of us give so many excuses when it comes to fitness regimes, loosing weight or with our day-to-day goals. And here is a woman, who has broken all the barriers irrespective of her physical challenges, showing the spirit to truly live and make the world around her a better place. Kudos to Mayuri!
Thank you Everyone 🙏
Thanks a lot Cindy for finding my journey worth a write…
We all have this Shakti In Us….It is just how we realise it and bring it out….There is nothing a Woman can’t Do….No woman card here….It is just sometimes we don’t realise the strength we have….Thank you Everyone for such kind Words 🙏
Thankyou Cindy for writing the wonder woman story of Mayuri and sharing with us. She’s indeed an inspiration for all of us here and climbed her mountain despite the odds!
This is an inspiring story. I can imagine her personality by seeing her beautiful smile. We can win any battle with positive attitude and determination.
Hats off to the determination of Mayuri and I had goosebumps reading about her struggle. She is indeed lucky to have a supportive partner but nothing would have been possible without her grit and strong will power. This has definitely boosted me to take care of my own health now. Thanks for writing this blog post and inspiring us Cindy!
What a story of inspiration. Awesome Cindy for letting me know such real stories from where we can learn what life in on a broader perspective
If we have a personification of a wonder woman, Mayuri Kohli is a clear winner! What a strong lady with a huge passion for life and courage. Hats off to her life struggles and winning over them.
Mayuri is such an inspiration! When I get too overwhelmed with everything, I love to read such strong, inspirational stories. If they can, why can’t I? It all comes back to gratitude that I should stop complaining and start doing.
I love how Mayuri’s story is truly inspiring and showcases the power of determination and resilience in overcoming challenges. Her dedication towards her fitness journey despite her physical limitations is commendable and serves as a motivation for me to take charge of my health.
Mayur’s journey and her courageous spirit are truly remarkable. Despite facing physical obstacles, she was able to complete her MBA, and give birth to two daughters. Thanks for sharing her story with us… Such stories are indeed an inspiration for all.
Mayuri is one of the bravest women for sure. Despite having so many problems she continues her goal , her dream to enjoy life and live it fullest. Such inspiring story and thank you Cindy for bringing her story in front of us.
Kudos to Mayuri! She is such an inspiration and thanks to you to bring forward her story in your post. We often try to find reasons for not being healthy and not working out and Mayuri is an inspiration to all of us. Despite her condition she did not give up.
Mayuri I dont know your personally for sure but I really want to know you more to understand how can one be so strong and bold even after having so many barriers in life and come out as a winner. You not only inspired me but millions of women across globe. I am Thankful to Cindy that she introduced such a brilliant and inspirational personally to us from whom there is lot to learn and execute in our life. I also want to thank your husband for being so supportive and he played a king size role in your journey. You achieved so many things in life which many of the abled women cant think of. God bless you with immense success and happiness in life and I wish the same to your family. My gratitude to Cindy for presenting this outstanding interview. God bless you Cindy.
Thank you, Samata!
Thank You Samata….for your kind words 🙏
Hats off to Mayuri. It takes a lot of willpower. She is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing her story.
Tremendous and brave journey. Salute to Mayuri. Being stuck in a wheelchair she choose to do everything, complete graduation, marriage, giving natural birth. Really it is inspiration to all of us.
I really admire her zest for life and how she participates in all the community events. Hats of to her dedication and ever smiling attitude. A big shout out to her family too for having supported her in her decisions and being her safety net.
Now that’s someone that’s really inspiring!!! From the story of being wheelchair bound to all those difficulty giving birth and all those motherhood woes, to finding herself and getting up back with confidence!!!
Such difficult health and lifestyle issues would break someone down. Hats off to Mayuri for not only fighting it out but becoming truly the best version of herself. Hope she fulfills her dream of a bikini shoot at Ibiza! That would be so cool.
What an inspiration, she is a fighter a true example for those that give up easily. A true salute to her 👍
Mayuri is surely a courageous woman with a strong will power. Pregnancy in her health condition was the biggest challenge and she has conquered it.
What a beautiful blog showcasing a beautiful and strong woman. My salute to Mayuri and her inspiring journey.
Thanks for sharing her story. She is phenomenal. Such stories show us how minuscule our own problems are and what grit can achieve
This is an inspiring post. Besides, it also teaches us to be grateful for what we have and stop cribbing.
She is truly a brave lady. Despite all the physical challenges, she has studied MBA, given birth to two daughters and even lost weight. I feel she deserves a medal for her strength.
That woman is absolutely phenomenal. The perfect person to showcase on woman’s day. Living with spina bifida and it’s sequelae is never easy.
This story really will inspire many people . I don’t know what to say, but all I know is she is very much powerful and also a woman with high dreams. I absolutely loved that part where she wanted to carry her children despite her problems . We can learn a lot from her that will make us strong and we won’t give up.
I want to meet Mayuri personally and hug her. She is the epitome of courage and resilience. It’s so unfair how some children are born with such diseases making life so incredibly difficult for them. But she chose to be a fighter and emerge victorious. Wish her all the happiness and great success in life.
Thank You 🙏 Would love to meet You 🙂
An epitome of will power! A woman is a great fighter, and any odd circumstances just cannot douse the will to fight with more vigor and strength. Thank you sharing an inspiring journey of Mayuri Kohli.
Thank you so much for sharing about Mayuri, Cindy. She indeed is an inspiration and a role model to so many, I am stunned to fathom the depth of her will power.
Hats off to Mayuri’s determination and dedication to bring the life at the normal pace despite having tremendous health issues, she never thought of giving up on her dreams of education, motherhood, undoubtedly commendable. Honestly I am short of words to know about the courageous girl Mayuri! These are the stories which strongly remind me where there is WILL there is WAY! I loved the way Mayuri said she wanna be Hotty At Forty Woman.
Mayuri’s journey is quite inspirational. Only one thought crossed me while reading her interview. So much pain is there in the world; compared to all that, ours is so small. Loved her inspiring smile and attitude. Thanks a lot for introducing Mayuri to us Cindy.
What an inspiration she is! Many of us whine about the smallest of things and make excuses to not get things done, and here Mayuri is doing everything she wants despite her limitations. Kudos to her! Thank you for sharing her story, Cindy. 🙂
Cindy – thank you for sharing Mayuri’s story of grit and willpower. Instead of self-pity or learning to rely on others for existence, Mayuri chose to lead a life of fulfillment in every aspect of being a woman. Kudos to her on pushing herself to workout. Self care is the first step needed to build loving caring relationships with others. Mayuri is truly an inspiration for us all.
Mayuri’s life story and her words have made me introspect and understand how much I take the simple in life for granted without being grateful for things we consider ‘normal. What an inspiring woman and much power to her.
Thanks for sharing her story with us.
P.S: I’m keeping my fingers crossed and sending it out to the universe to get her wish of the Ibiza bikini photo shoot and becoming a wheelchair model, come true. Will be looking forward to that story 😀
Wow, thanks so much, Manali. Mayuri will surely thank you too.
What a brave woman, and what an inspiring story. Motivating stories like this make me realise never say never attitude goes long way. Thank you so much for this blog!
Thank You So much for your Kind Words 🙏
Manali Thank You So much 🙏
Mayuri Kohli is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing her story, Cindy. We often let our health issues become a roadblock to our fitness journey. Kudos to her willpower and determination.
Thank you so much Cindy for bringing Mayuri’s story to us. She certainly is an inspiration!
What grit and gumption! I am in awe of her. She is a super woman. We all crib for silly things and look at her. I feel so small in front of all she has gone through and achieved. I wish she gets her photoshoot in Ibiza of all places. I bow down to her in full humility.
Life throws up challenges. The key is- to accept, try & win.
Great to read about Mayuri.
She is a winner. More power to her!
Lovely images and inspiring interview, Cindy.
Thanks, Anita!
Mayuri’s journey is quite inspirational and make me think that we often complain about minor things in life and there are people like Mayri who fight with various challenges. I loved her passion and wish her all the best in life. one of the best post in blog hop. thanks cindy for sharing her story with us.
Pleasure, Surbhi!
wow….seriously Mayuri is such an inspiration. When we get dishearten on some minor health issues, she faced it multiple times She could have quit but she chose to keep going and chase her dreams. Best wishes to her for all her future endeavors.
With all our muscles and bones functioning properly, pregnancy is a tough journey. I can’t imagine how Mayuri would have gone through it. What a strong woman and greatest inspiration
Cindy, thank you so much for sharing her story with us. Mayuri Kohli is an inspiration for many women. I am in awe with her tremendous will-power and kudos to her never dying spirit!! We always have so much to do with our abilities, her story sends this powerful message. Thanks for joining us in the blog hop, means a lot. Much gratitude 🙂
Pleasure, Swarnali!
A truly inspiring journey. I love how all her answers were full of positivity despite having to lead such a tough life. Hoping she attains her goals and we see her as a model soon. Kudos to her
Deepika Thank you 🙏
I know how immensely dedicated Mayuri is to her fitness regime… i see her working out regularly n diligently… hats off to her spirit!
So cool Mayuri.. ♥️ keep inspiring
This is so inspiring ! Thank you for bringing Mayuri Kohli’s story to us. She seems like a force! And I hope I get to see her bikini photoshoot! 😍
Rajani 🙏 Thank you….You sure will soon 🙂