Fate took Sanam Mulguthi on an unexpected journey when she found herself drawn to the gym across from the hospital where she worked. While a career in medicine appeared predestined for her, life had other plans. Mulguthi, deviating from the prescribed path, embraced a new challenge by stepping into the world of bodybuilding. “When someone tells you something is forbidden, it sparks curiosity. I have no regrets about following that curiosity,” she reflects.

Mulguthi clinched a gold medal at the 55th ‘Asian Bodybuilding and Sports Physique Championships’ in Kathmandu in 2023. Since 2017, she has been actively training for bodybuilding competitions in Nepal. Besides her achievements in the fitness arena, she is a certified radiographer and works as a personal trainer. She is also the brains behind Gymcha, a training space crafted to inspire women to engage in athleticism.

Considering her familial background—with an elder brother and sister in the medical field—Mulguthi initially saw herself following a similar trajectory. Beginning with a diploma in radiography at Dr Iwamura Memorial Hospital, she led a life that didn’t entirely fulfil her. However, her curiosity led her to the doors of Madhyapur Gym.

Coach Amit Chandra Arya recognised her potential and tailored her training accordingly. However, the journey was far from easy. Mulgithi was underweight at the time and had to take up a new and healthy diet plan to shape up for competitions. Balancing this with her demanding job at the hospital, where morning and evening duties were the norm, proved challenging. The tight schedule and limited budget led to many at the hospital resorting to quick bites like momo, chatpate and fast food to curb their hunger. Despite the difficulties, she persevered in pursuit of her fitness goals for upcoming competitions.

The hospital wasn’t the sole obstacle. Critical of their daughter’s new aspirations, it took her parents a considerable time to embrace her passion. Mulguthi concealed her career in bodybuilding for three years, only for her parents to discover it through the papers. Their support was minimal, as they doubted her future in sports. Fortunately, her older sister supported Mulguthi’s quest for a gold medal. When she expressed dissatisfaction with her medical studies, her sister provided the understanding ear she needed. Mulguthi warmly recalls a time when her pregnant sister, residing in Sindhuli, travelled for hours to support her in a competition.

Before achieving success in competitions, Mulguthi faced another hurdle—having to wear a bikini. Unaware of this requirement, she hesitated, finding it difficult to muster the courage to wear something society might disapprove of. The prospect of donning a bikini in front of a crowd seemed daunting, and she postponed the day she had to try them on for as long as possible.

“I couldn’t imagine wearing a bikini in front of so many people. One of the hardest things I had to do was to let go of what others might think of me. I had come such a long way—training twice a day every day for months, I couldn’t let timidity stop me,” she reflects.

She debuted in the women’s category in the ‘Mr Everest Nationwide Bodybuilding Championship’ in 2018, securing the fourth position. Encouraged by this, she advanced to the ‘Mr Kathmandu’ competition the same year, clinching the third position. She eventually went on to win ‘1st Lady Athletic Bhaktapur’ in 2019 as well. While things were progressing well, it still took some time before Mulguthi achieved her ultimate goal—the coveted gold medal.

Mulguthi shares that the absence of categories for her lean and muscular physique posed a challenge in national bodybuilding championships. Although her physique aligned with the ‘swimsuit and wellness model’ category, such segment didn’t exist in Nepal. It wasn’t until the 55th ‘Asian Bodybuilding and Sports Physique Championships’ that this category was introduced for the first time, allowing her to compete in a division that suited her physique.

Participating in the competition also presented its own set of challenges. Beyond undergoing intense training, Mulguthi had to pay careful attention to her pose, outfit, makeup and attitude. A new element was introduced as well—she found herself, for the first time, having to walk and pose in high heels. Alongside her regular training, she dedicated time to practice and perfect her high-heeled walk and poses.

Recognising that the swimsuit she planned to wear didn’t meet the standards of international championships, Mulguthi took matters into her own hands. Faced with the higher cost of prettier, glitter-coated swimsuits, she designed and adorned her own swimsuit with glitter. Additionally, she noticed that the swimsuit covered her back, which wouldn’t look good while posing. So, Mulguthi and her sister grabbed a pair of scissors and modified the swimsuit for the competition.

“I can never forget the day we did that. In my years of bodybuilding, that is one of my most unforgettable moments,” says Mulguthi.

It was also during this competition that her father wholeheartedly accepted her dreams and choice to pursue bodybuilding. Standing on the stage, draped in the Nepali flag, trophy in hand and surrounded by onlookers, she witnessed tears of pride in her father’s eyes. She shares that he now openly celebrates his daughter’s accomplishments.

Reflecting on the challenges of training in male-dominated gyms, Mulguthi often faced difficulty and felt out of place. There were moments when she had to remind herself that it was perfectly acceptable for her to train there and that training was vital for her success. Driven by such experiences, she took the initiative to establish her own gym, Gymcha, in 2023 in Surya Binayak, Bhaktapur.

“I wanted to create a space where women can feel comfortable working out because taking that first step can be tough,” expresses Mulguthi.

At Gymcha, there is a 50 percent discount for women who bring a friend along to work out. Mulguthi shares that this offering stems from her own wish for a training companion during her earlier days. She believes that becoming a bodybuilder entails making sacrifices, dedicating yourself and maintaining discipline to perform at your best and stay in peak condition. While it’s a challenging journey, there is significant potential for female bodybuilders to establish themselves in Nepal.

“Once you begin and persist in pursuing your dreams, you will discover happiness,” affirms Mulguthi. Currently, she is a personal trainer at The Pump, Muscle Beach and Gymcha.