My life has been challenging, but thank God there's a part of me that likes a challenge. I describe myself as the Phoenix: "I can rise from the ashes. I bounce back, despite many setbacks."

I'm really passionate about what fitness does for mental health. It gave me the resilience that we sometimes need for dealing with the external obstacles imposed on us for being trans.

Bodybuilding requires a lot of self discipline, and if you're doing it on a competitive level, it requires a high level of focus in the prep, when you're getting ready for the show.

There were parts of my training that I almost found spiritual – like shedding skin and layers – a shedding of beliefs and what society has put on you.

Most people might laugh at that because they see bodybuilders these muscular people with stereotypes that aren't always true.

And you don't have to be a competitive bodybuilder, for bodybuilding to be a source of empowerment.

I was in a vulnerable state when I started transitioning. Earlier, I was a workaholic and then I had multiple vitamin deficiencies and a knee injury, and was written off work for a year.

For top surgery, I wanted to have less body fat percentage, so my results would be better. That, again, is something I felt like I could control with the right knowledge around bodybuilding, in a healthy way. It was something that gave me a bit more power.

Coming from a place where I had an injury, I was able to find strength within my body physically, while strengthening my mind, my soul, and my energy.

If we can win the battle within, it's easier to go outside and deal with the other things.

[As told to @Ragi Gupta — continued tomorrow]