Not Just Another Woman Lawyer.

By Adv Pooja P

There are journeys that follow a straight path, predictable and undisturbed. And then there are journeys like mine marked by bruises, setbacks, reinventions and an unyielding will to rise every single time life tried to knock me down.

I was not just an athlete; I was a fighter in every sense of the word. Taekwondo was not merely a sport to me; it was an identity, passion and a purpose. At an age when most are still discovering themselves, I had already begun representing my state and country. I stood on podiums with pride, carried medals that reflected years of sacrifice and became one of the youngest athletes from Karnataka to represent India at the Asian level.

However, there were adversities too. When I was diagnosed with ‘Beta Thalassemia trait’ at the age of 19, people around me began to doubt my future in combat sports. But I refused to let such a condition define my limits. Instead of stepping back, I trained smarter and emerged as a Senior National Gold Medallist, a title Karnataka had not secured in over a decade.

That victory was not just mine. It was a response to every doubt, every “no,” and every limitation imposed on me.

Throughout my career, I faced repeated injuries... knee dislocations, ligament tears and eventually a severe ankle fracture that required surgery. There came a point where my body demanded a pause. Not because I lacked the will, but because I had given everything I had.

Yet, even in those moments, I never stopped moving forward.

Parallel to my sporting journey was another equally demanding path, academics. Balancing rigorous training with studies was never easy, but I refused to compromise on either. I was a topper in my school with 96.2% and went on to graduate as a University Gold Medallist in Law, proving that excellence need not be confined to one field. Law was not a second choice, it was a natural extension of who I am.

There were voices here too.

They said combat sports are not for women. I said, bring it on.

They said advocacy is not for women. I said, bring it on.

Today, as an advocate, I carry the same spirit into courtrooms that I once carried into competitions. The arena has changed, but the mindset has not. Whether it is standing up for justice or challenging systemic issues, the goal remains rooted in a purpose 'to make a difference in this world.'

In Taekwondo, I fought in the arena to bring laurels to my country. In Advocacy, I fight in the courtroom to uphold justice and contribute to a better society. The battleground changed, but the purpose remained the same.

Today, after three years of practice in criminal & civil litigation, I stand confident in my journey as an Advocate. I always aspired since. Looking back, I realise that life should never stop. You may change your path, but never your goal.

My journey was not about choosing between sports and law. It is about carrying the spirit of a fighter into every arena I step into.

Because at the end of the day, I am not defined by victories or setbacks. I am defined by the courage to keep going and the audacity to say, every single time, “bring it on.”