"Some people call me crazy, insane and lots of other things too, but that's what they say when their stereotypes are challenged."

Harish Soni is well-known in the town of Korba, Chattisgarh. He has trained several young bodybuilders in the area who have gone on to represent state and country. What he was less well-known for was being the local paan waala. Sitting in his corner shop, selling paan to strangers who didn't see the Zidd hidden within this seemingly ordinary man, Harish blends into the crowd easily. "I started working here to feed my family. The ability to do that always made me happy, but I always felt something missing in my life. Lacking any kind of support and being the sole breadwinner, there was never any time I could spend for myself."

The beginning of Harish Ziddi Soni

In 2008, Harish had a chance encounter with his cousin, who had actively taken up bodybuilding and encouraged Harish to do so as well. Starting off aimlessly, Harish soon became fascinated by the ability to sculpt his body according to his vision and began to devote countless hours in the gym, finding out more about the sport from his new community of friends and colleagues. He also realized that the hours in the gym had begun to fill the emptiness of his days, the aimlessness of his life. Bodybuilding gave him purpose.

"I never wanted to be ordinary again."

When people started recognising his efforts (he quickly became known around town as the 'Bodybuilder Paanwaala'), Harish became more motivated than ever. His family, however, did not support his ambitions. They felt that his dreams of bodybuilding would detract him from more important responsibilities. "It sometimes brings tears to my eyes when I think of my lack of a support system. Knowing the level that the athletes who have trained under me have now reached, I sometimes think of what I could have achieved myself if I didn't have a family depending on me."

His daily routine: Wake up and hit the gym at 6 am. Open shutters on the paan shop at 8 am. Spend all free time at the gym.

"Despite my own problems, I feel proud having added value to the lives and careers of my trainees and wish I can see them succeed on the biggest platforms. That keeps me going every day."

So, what does Harish Ziddi Soni want from life?

"Selling paan is my profession, but my passion speaks louder than that. I am proud of my Zidd. Bodybuilding has given me an identity that nothing else could. People appreciate the effort I have put in to carving this physique and I want to be known around the world for it. Harish Ziddi Soni is more than an ordinary paan waala.

"I have made many sacrifices in life, but there are some things that I just refuse to give up."