Alappuzha (Kerala): During the day, she walks the wards of the government medical college with a stethoscope, managing administrative duties and tending to patient care. By evening, those same hands effortlessly hoist heavy barbells off the ground. Meet 38-year-old Dr P L Lakshmi at Alappuzha Medical College, who has evolved from a dedicated medical professional into a formidable symbol of strength in the powerlifting circuit. Her ability to script a story of sports success while balancing an incredibly demanding healthcare career has become a true source of inspiration for many.


From a general gym routine to the powerlifting track

Dr Lakshmi's tryst with fitness began nearly two decades ago during her MBBS days (2007–08) at the Kozhikode Medical College, where she initially hit the gym purely to stay in shape. However, the real turning point occurred after she took charge in Alappuzha and joined the iconic Alleppey Gym.

Watching fellow fitness enthusiasts crush rigorous weight training routines kindled a desire in her to test her own limits. Under the eagle-eyed guidance and mentorship of seasoned coach P J Joseph, her general interest in daily exercise quickly transitioned into focused powerlifting. Despite the heavy workload that comes with running a medical college, she began competing actively on the professional powerlifting circuit in 2023.

 

Dominating the civil service meet

Dr Lakshmi injected massive momentum into her athletic journey after securing a gold medal at the district-level powerlifting championship last September. Following that victory, she went on to represent her department at the State Civil Service Powerlifting Championship held in Thrissur, competing in the highly competitive 84 plus kg women’s category.

She stunned her competitors by completely dominating the platform, securing the top spot across all three core disciplines: the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. This phenomenal performance earned the doctor a well-deserved gold medal on the state stage.

 

Anchored by family support

Behind her seamless balancing act is a rock-solid support system at home. Her husband, Dr D Jayadev, is a pediatrician serving in the state health services department at Chettikad. The couple has two young daughters, nine-year-old Durga and two-year-old Bhadra.

"The medical profession is inherently stressful and demanding. However, if we genuinely set our minds to it, we can always carve out time for the things we love. For me, powerlifting isn’t just about physical fitness; it is a massive source of mental rejuvenation and energy," Dr Lakshmi says with a confident smile.