From stepping into a swimming pool as a seven-year-old to representing India at the Tokyo Olympics, Indian swimmer and Olympian Maana Patel’s journey has been defined by discipline, resilience and the constant pursuit of pushing her limits.
A GLS alumna, Maana returned to her alma mater for an engaging conversation with Ms. Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University, on “Decoded with Chandni Kapadia.” The conversation explored her sporting journey, fitness, women in sport, sporting culture in India and the person behind the Olympian.
Maana recalled how her swimming journey began almost by chance when her mother enrolled her in a summer swimming batch, hoping the activity would improve her appetite. What started as a childhood activity soon became a passion. With the support of her parents, she continued balancing academics with competitive swimming, eventually progressing to national records and the Olympic stage.
One of the key reflections from the conversation came when Maana spoke about what the Olympics truly mean to an athlete. Challenging the idea that reaching the Olympics is the ultimate destination, she said:
“Olympics is a moment; it is not a destination. You have to use that platform of fame and opportunities to go ahead in your career, sport or otherwise. It’s a means to an end.”
The conversation also looked at the discipline required to maintain fitness beyond professional sport. Recalling her first corporate job in Switzerland, Maana shared that she would wake up at 5 a.m. to train before work, emphasising that building a healthy lifestyle often begins with simply taking the first step.
Addressing the pressure young women face around body image, Maana spoke openly about growing up with comments about her muscular physique. Her experience, she said, taught her to look beyond conventional ideas of femininity and recognise strength as something to embrace rather than hide.
The discussion further turned to India’s sporting culture beyond cricket. Maana observed that India has immense sporting talent, but many people do not follow other sports because they are unfamiliar with their rules, formats and history. She stressed that the change needs to begin at the grassroots level, with families and schools introducing children to different sports and helping them understand the games.
With Ahmedabad preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and looking ahead to the 2036 Olympics, Maana also spoke about the responsibility of citizens in building a stronger sporting ecosystem. While infrastructure is important, she emphasised that public facilities and the city itself must also be treated with discipline and pride.
The conversation also revealed Maana beyond the swimming pool — from her love for dogs and her competitive side over UNO to her views on sleep, fitness and healthy habits.
The interaction concluded with the Decoded Signature Segment, where Maana reflected on Success, Resilience and Identity. For her, success is defined by personal goals rather than comparison with others. Resilience means continuing to show up even when nobody is watching, while identity, she believes, continues to evolve through different stages of life.
For Maana, her journey so far can be summed up as “pushing limits and racing challenges.” Her return to GLS offered students a glimpse into the discipline behind an Olympic journey — and a reminder that the biggest achievements are often not destinations, but platforms for what comes next.