Jyothsna Venkatesh Naidu, a 48-year-old businesswoman and mother from Bengaluru, won the gold medal in the Fitness Angel category at the ICN World Natural Games held in Dubai in November 2025.
Overcoming childhood obesity and years of self-doubt, she transformed her body through dedicated training, strict diet, and sheer willpower, losing 28 kg and reducing body fat from 25% to 14%.
Jyothsna’s achievement made her India’s first world champion under the ICN federation, inspiring women everywhere to defy age and societal expectations.
ICN officials and her coach praised her discipline and natural approach, celebrating her as a role model for perseverance and empowerment.
From Childhood Dreams to Global Gold
Jyothsna had always dreamt of having six-pack abs, a goal that seemed far-fetched when she was overweight during her younger years. Her fitness journey officially began at 36 when she weighed 94 kg.
For years, she struggled with her weight and confidence, but at the age of 40, Jyothsna made a firm decision: no more procrastination, no more excuses.
She immersed herself in fitness, dedicating hours to long gym sessions, daily walking routines adding up to 20,000 steps, and following a strict, balanced diet.
Over six years, she transformed her physique with remarkable discipline and determination. By 2025, she shed 28 kgs, dropping from 80 kg to a leaner, healthier body composition with a 14% body fat level, all achieved naturally without the use of supplements or shortcuts.
Her hard work culminated in November 2025 when she competed at the ICN World Natural Games in Dubai. Participating in multiple categories including Bikini, Sports Model, and the newly introduced Fitness Angel category, Jyothsna won gold in the last, along with three silver medals.
The competition attracted over 600 athletes from 27 countries, making her victory even more significant. At the post-event press interaction in Bengaluru, she said, “This is not just a medal-it’s history for me and India.
I am honoured to bring this glory and show that age is just a number. With determination and dedication, success will come”.
Breaking Stereotypes and Championing Natural Bodybuilding
Jyothsna’s journey is monumental not only for her personal transformation but also for challenging societal stereotypes about age and gender, especially in the Indian context where bodybuilding remains male-dominated and ageist.
Her success in a drug-tested bodybuilding federation underscores her commitment to health and honesty, reinforcing an important message: fitness and excellence do not require shortcuts or compromises.
Her coach, Sabarish Balakrishna Naidu, credited her punctuality, strict diet adherence, and focused weightlifting practice as key to her performance.
The ICN federation’s President Jai Acharya praised her as an inspiring example for natural athletes worldwide, noting her accomplishments elevate the standards for drug-free competitions and bring attention to healthy living.
Jyothsna’s story has also motivated her daughter, Sania, who has witnessed her mother’s determination firsthand, creating a legacy of resilience and empowerment within her own family and community.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Jyothsna Venkatesh Naidu’s story is a beacon of hope and empowerment, illustrating that perseverance, self-belief, and discipline can break down age-old barriers of gender and age.
The Logical Indian celebrates this narrative as it aligns with values of empathy, dignity, and inclusive progress.
Her achievement encourages a society where people support one another’s dreams regardless of stereotypes and age constraints. It reminds us that personal transformations can spark wider cultural changes when shared with honesty and kindness.
