Jacqueline Babitha Xavier is a force to be reckoned with. This dynamic fitness enthusiast has been shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries with her remarkable journey, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their true potential. In this exclusive interview with The Pioneer, she shares her fascinating story, revealing the secrets behind her success and the driving forces that propel her forward
Tejal Sinha
With a heart full of passion and a spirit that refuses to be tamed, Jacqueline Babitha Xavier is a shining example of what it means to live life on your own terms. This remarkable woman from Hyderabad has not only conquered the world of running but has also triumphed over depression and self-doubt, emerging stronger and more radiant with each passing day. As a fitness instructor, marathon runner and powerlifter, she embodies strength, grace and determination. In this uplifting interview, she shares her extraordinary journey of self-discovery, growth and transformation, inspiring us all to embrace our true potential and live life to the fullest.
“I come from a corporate background, but I felt like life was fizzling out. I needed to do something beyond what I was doing,” says Hyderabad’s Marathon woman, recounting her journey. She took a plunge, quit working at 38 and got into fitness. Post which, she did certification in aerobics, Zumba and personal training. It didn’t just stop there. She moved on to marathon coaching and injury management.
Jacqueline’s running career took off when she won her first podium at a 21-kilometer run. “If I hadn’t won that podium, I wouldn’t have been a runner. I would have continued being a fitness trainer,” she admits. Her aerobic base, built through years of aerobics training, helped her transition to running naturally. “I didn’t have to put in an effort. I would just do some aerobics and strength training, and then directly go run and win medals.”
However, her journey wasn’t without its challenges. She faced depression and struggled to understand her body, particularly during perimenopause. “I didn’t know what was happening to my body. I had hot flashes, acne and weight gain. But I did a course on understanding menopause, and that’s when I realised it was a harmony imbalance.”
Through her journey, Babitha has learned the importance of lifting weights, particularly for women. “Lifting is something that a woman has to do to keep herself fit, her bone health, muscle mass, and to keep her sanity in place.” She now focuses on powerlifting and has won gold at the national level in her weight category.
Also the founder of Sweat n Burn, her story is an exemplification of the power of understanding one’s body and taking control of one’s health. “When you understand your body, when you know what is right, when you do a lot of research, when you read journals, you not only help yourself, you help your fellow runners, you help the fellow women, everyone around you.”
She recounts her personal story, sharing her struggles during the early stages of menopause. “I was going through depression, feeling very low, had no interest in anything and struggled to sleep,” she says. But then something changed. She started running and everything transformed. Running became her salvation, giving her a sense of achievement and purpose. People began to notice her and she started to see herself in a new light. She was no longer just a mother, wife, or daughter; she was an individual achieving something.
Through running, she discovered her identity and broke free from the roles that defined her. She started prioritising her own needs and focusing on self-care. Running became her therapy, her sanctuary, and her passion. Jacqueline’s advice to those struggling with depression is to find an activity they enjoy. “If you can’t run, try lifting. If you can’t lift, try something else. Just move your body and you’ll see the difference,” she encourages.
Today, she is a source of inspiration for many, including her two daughters. “People often mistake us for sisters when we walk together (she chuckles). Fitness has not only transformed my body but also my mind. I’m no longer depressed, and I feel alive. You don’t have to be a runner or a lifter to be fit. Just find what works for you and embrace it.” her family has been a significant source of support for her. “My husband and daughters are all into fitness. We encourage and motivate each other to lead a healthy lifestyle.”
In fact, her husband was inspired to start working out after being mistaken for having three daughters. Hahaha! “He started cycling and working out, and now we all do it together as a family,” she shares.
Her daughters are also into fitness, with one pursuing a master’s degree in sports science and sports psychology. “We make time for ourselves, no matter how busy we are,” Jacqueline emphasises. “We believe that taking care of our physical health is essential for our overall well-being.”
Initially, she did face challenges while running alone, particularly safety concerns. “I used to carry a water bottle in one hand and a stone in the other,” she recalls. “Now, I carry pepper spray and a small Swiss knife in my waist pouch.”
Despite these challenges, Xavier has continued to pursue her passion for fitness. “The only challenge I face now is running alone. But I’ve learned to overcome it by finding support from my family and friends.”
She has also faced incidents of harassment while running alone. “Once, a guy flashed me while I was running on a dirt track,” she recounts. “I didn’t want my daughter to see it, so I quickly turned around and ran back with her.”
However, Jacqueline didn’t let this incident deter her from pursuing her passion for fitness. Instead, she found support from her family and the fitness community.
Through her experiences, she has learned the importance of finding support and overcoming fear. She emphasises, “Fitness has given me the confidence to face any challenge that comes my way. We need to teach men to respect women and treat them as equals. It starts at home, and we need to bring up our sons to be progressive and respectful towards women.”
She also highlights the need for women to take control of their own safety and well-being. “We need to learn self-defense techniques and be aware of our surroundings,” she advises. “We can’t rely on others to protect us.” That’s not all! She challenges societal norms that restrict women’s freedom and autonomy. “We need to break free from the shackles of societal expectations and embrace our individuality,” she says. “We need to uplift and encourage each other. We need to create a sisterhood of support and solidarity.” Through her fitness journey, she has learned to embrace her body and challenge societal beauty standards. “I wear what makes me comfortable and confident,” she says. “I don’t dress for others; I dress for myself.”
For her, fitness is a full package. “You can’t just focus on one aspect, like running. You need to incorporate strength training, lifting, and cross-training to repel toxins and build overall fitness.”
She further emphasises the importance of varied workouts, including running, strength training and cross-training activities like cycling or swimming. “I like to challenge myself and can’t do just one type of workout. I need to mix it up to stay motivated and avoid plateaus.”
In terms of nutrition, Jacqueline stresses the importance of a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, protein, salads and fiber.
“You can’t just focus on one food group,” she advises. “You need to have a mix of everything to fuel your body.”
Her approach to fitness and nutrition is holistic and balanced, emphasising the importance of varied workouts and a balanced diet to achieve overall wellness. “Fitness is a journey, not a destination,” she says. “It’s about finding what works for you and making it a sustainable part of your lifestyle.”
