From someone who would not let the dupatta slip from her shoulders to a budding bodybuilder exuding confidence in bikini shots, Ashwini Waskar has come a long way.

A native of Pen in Raigad district in Maharashtra, Ashwini got into professional bodybuilding by chance this February. However, she took to the field with a veteran’s flair and has already participated in three championships, including an international event, in the 10 months since.

After completing her schooling from a village institute, Ashwini pursued a post-graduation course in fisheries. In 2009, she took up a temporary job as a senior research fellow at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, which brought her to Mumbai.

Ashwini Waskar (pictured left before her transformation), began competing in February this year and has taken part in three events

“In 2012, I realised I was getting fat and joined a gym,” Ashwini said.

As her passion for fitness grew, she took a course in basic personal training, going on to clear the advanced and master levels. However, she was still just a fitness enthusiast with no ambition for a career in bodybuilding.

A trip to her hometown in February changed everything. To keep up with her regimen, she went to the local gym, Hanuman Vyayamshala, where owner Rajesh Angad was astounded to see her perform the same routines as male bodybuilders.

Angad told her about a bodybuilding event in Pune and suggested she participate. There was one problem though: the attire of bodybuilders exposed much more skin than her conservative parents would allow.

“I told my father about my desire to participate and the attire. He said that he would let me know his decision the next day,” Aswhini recalled. To her surprise, he consented.

“He said there was nothing wrong in exposing your body for a sport that demands contestants to be similarly attired,” she added.

Ashwini came fifth among the seven contestants at the national-level event - no mean feat for a beginner.

Her dream has come with a price tag, though. For an event in Mumbai, she had to sell her gold chain as her food supplements cost her Rs 20,000 per month.