Due to my family background and joint pain, I didn't have an inclination towards sports. However, a gym opened just a few meters away from my place. I saw the opportunity to build muscle and gain weight, hoping it would boost my self-confidence... and it did. After 3 years, I gained 10 kilograms. But after 5 years, I reached my limits. I felt like I was constantly battling against myself and my metabolism to maintain my weight and muscle mass. Sports preparation couldn't be the sole objective but rather a means to engage in a real sport.

A shoulder injury and subsequent surgery provided me with an opportunity for a fresh start. I wanted to engage in a sport to relieve stress, reduce the risk of injuries, and, most importantly, respect my body. My loved ones advised me to take up swimming. However, water was not at all my comfort zone. The drain grids in pool basins and the smell of chlorine stressed me out, not to mention swimming in the sea. To be continued...