Balancing motherhood, military duty and competitive athletics is no easy feat, but for Indian Air Force Squadron Leader Neha Devi from Jammu, it has become a way of life.

Neha Devi’s journey reflects discipline, determination and belief beyond limits. She joined the Air Force Academy in July 2013 nearly 10 kilograms overweight. Within a year, she transformed herself and was commissioned in June 2014 — fitter, stronger and sharper.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said that by 2017, structured running and strength training had become part of her routine. In 2021, she ran her first half marathon in Delhi and secured third position in her age category, continuing to feature among the top finishers in the years that followed.

In 2023, she finished sixth overall in the Station Cross Country (10 km) and third overall in the Station Unity Run (21 km), being the only female participant in both events.

Bartwal said, “In January 2024, she became pregnant. What motivated her deeply was the realisation that many women hesitate to strength train or exercise during pregnancy due to fear or social conditioning. She wanted to change that narrative. Under medical supervision, she continued controlled workouts. At four months pregnant, she secured second position in the TCS 10K (virtual). In September 2024, she delivered a healthy baby girl via C-section.”

“Recovery was slow and painful — walk to jog, jog to run. But her mission was clear: motherhood should not limit a woman’s potential. While breastfeeding her daughter, exclusively for six months and continuing thereafter, she made it a daily commitment to dedicate 40-60 minutes to gym sessions or home workouts. Balancing night feeds, official duties and recovery, she rebuilt herself patiently,” Bartwal said.

On January 24 this year, during a 24-hour stadium run in New Delhi, she completed her first 100-km run in 9 hours 52 minutes, missing national qualification by just 22 minutes.

Within days, she competed in the Indian Navy Half Marathon, finishing first among the three services and fourth overall in the Women’s Open category with a time of 1 hour 32 minutes 50 seconds — missing the podium by just 43 seconds.