“Sports has been very instrumental in shaping my journey", says Manasi Joshi, the para-badminton world champion whose story of grit and grace headlines Beyond The Podium, a podcast series by Reliance Foundation Sports. “I’ve been privileged to play sports…and to play for our country.”

Joshi’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and rising above odds. In 2011, a road accident changed the course of her life. A software engineer by profession, she lost her left leg in the incident. But within years, she turned the page, and rewrote the narrative.
"I wanted to quicken my rehabilitation process,” she shares, “...so that’s why I chose badminton.” What started as a way to heal became the path to her becoming a world champion in 2019 and a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award,But Joshi’s journey goes far beyond medals.

In the podcast, she speaks candidly about the nuanced challenges faced by para-athletes – especially women – in India. From the price of high-quality prosthetics to navigating perceptions around disability and gender, every step forward was hard-won. “I had never thought that I would be this person,” she reflects. “I have had a very beautiful journey and learning. I’ve been lucky to get the right people and the right support.”

In 2019, her meticulous preparation paid off. “Before becoming a world champion, I dedicated myself to doing a lot of service practice. I kept on developing my skills. ” she says, giving listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look into an elite athlete’s mindset.
Her journey even caught the imagination of global pop culture when she was immortalised as a Barbie doll, part of a special edition series celebrating real-life role models. “As a young girl playing with Barbie dolls, and then having your own Barbie… it’s beyond dreams,” she says.

What makes her story even more powerful is the humility with which she embraces impact. “I never knew that this personal win is going to be appreciated by people,” she admits.

Today, she is a vocal advocate for inclusivity in sports and equal representation for para-athletes. “I’m very happy to be competing in a system which is inclusive, where women athletes are training with the best of people,” she adds.
With Beyond The Podium, Manasi’s voice reaches new listeners, reinforcing why sports is not just about winning titles, but about changing perceptions, opening doors, and making sure the podium has space for all.


Tap here to watch the full Episode.