Women, Mother, Sportsperson - Adwaita Nayyar & Mary Kom: Torchbearers Of Grit And Agility

In the latest episode of AWS TORCHBEARERS INC. - Hustle Reignited! presented by AWS in association with NeoNiche, the stage was set for an insightful conversation with two extraordinary women, Indian Boxer, Olympic Medallist Padma Vibhushan Mary Kom, and Adwaita Nayyar, Co Founder, Nykaa and CEO, Nykaa Fashion. The dialogue, led by Performance Mindset Coach Shayamal Vallabhjee, explored their journeys as Torchbearers emphasising the qualities of grit and agility.

Nitin Bawankule, Director and Head AWS India and South Asia, opened the event by articulating the essence of Torchbearers, celebrating excellence, perseverance, and achievement. 

He drew parallels between Olympic champions and entrepreneurs, acknowledging the triumphs of those who navigate the challenging paths of entrepreneurship and sports championships. Bawankule also shed light on AWS's commitment to supporting women, emphasising the importance of their perspective in development.

Moderator Shayamal Vallabhjee took the reins, defining torchbearers as those who inspire others towards valued goals. 

He highlighted the uniqueness of the series, bringing together India's unicorn founders and athletes who have made the nation proud on the global stage. 

The focus of the conversation was on understanding how these torchbearers harness the power of support systems, build and motivate teams, and navigate the mental challenges of success.

Mary Kom: A Gritty Journey Inspired by Muhammad Ali

Olympic medallist and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Mary Kom, shared the challenges of her journey, starting from a humble background. Inspired by boxing legend Muhammad Ali, she reflected on the difficulties of being a female boxer. Mary Kom expressed happiness in overcoming societal norms, stating, "For me, being a boxer has been tough, very hard. But I am so happy that now even my parents know what I do."

Adwaita Nayar: Redefining Success and Building a Positive Culture

Adwaita Nayar, Co Founder, Nykaa and CEO, Nykaa Fashion, shared insights into her journey with Nykaa. In the early days, success was defined by scaling the company, but as the journey continued, Nayar's focus shifted. She emphasised the importance of making the company a great place to work, stating, "If it's not a wonderful place to work, if it doesn't have the right culture, if it's not great, the success doesn't really matter." Nayar's definition of success evolved into personal growth and internal goals.

Nayar added, "My definition of success is now more about just being a better version of myself every day. It's a lot less about external validation, it's a lot less about what other people think. And it's more just, deep inside, are you really doing a better job every single day, in every way, personally, professionally, in terms of furthering the values that you believe in."

Balancing Acts and Sacrifices: Mary Kom's Perspective

Mary Kom spoke about the challenges of balancing various roles as a woman, mother, and sportsperson. 

Despite the toughness, she emphasised the will to find a way, expressing gratitude for the kindness of God. 

Mary Kom acknowledged the sacrifices and the long process of preparation in her 20-year boxing career. She proudly stated, "I feel so proud to be a woman."

Adwaita Nayar's Sensitivity and Inspiration from Her Mother

Nayar revealed her sensitivity to the struggles of others and credited her mother as a role model. Inspired by her mother's conduct in various roles, Nayar highlighted the influence of joyful, loving, and adventurous interactions. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with her mother every day, sharing a similar mindset and jokingly referred to as her mother's clone.

Changing Dynamics of Beauty: Nayar's Insights

Discussing the relationship of Indian women with beauty, Nayar noted the increased sophistication over the last 11 years. She highlighted the shift in beauty rituals, emphasising that it is about women being the stars of their own show and taking the spotlight for themselves.

Mary Kom's inspirational narrative reflected her determination to overcome societal norms and challenges as a female boxer. Her ability to balance the roles of a woman, mother, and sportsperson underscored the strength derived from her will to find a way, acknowledging sacrifices made in her illustrious 20-year boxing career.

Adwaita Nayar, as the Co Founder, Nykaa and CEO, Nykaa Fashion, shared her evolution in defining success beyond external validation. Her focus on creating a positive workplace culture and personal growth underscored the importance of internal goals. Nayar's sensitivity to the struggles of others, inspired by her mother, further highlighted the impact of joyful and loving interactions in shaping her journey.

In essence, Mary Kom and Adwaita Nayar's stories serve as beacons of inspiration, encouraging others to embrace challenges, lead with grit and agility, and redefine success on their own terms. As Torchbearers they not only break barriers but also light the way for others to follow in their footsteps. Their narratives echo the broader theme of AWS TORCHBEARERS INC. celebrating excellence, perseverance, and the pursuit of valued goals in both sports and entrepreneurship.

You can watch the episode of AWS TORCHBEARERS INC. here