Maheshwari Chauhan: The Olympics Weren’t the Climax [Olympian, Shotgun Shooter, India]

 

Maheshwari Chauhan Interview

The Olympics Weren’t the Climax: Maheshwari Chauhan on Heartbreak, Pressure &

 Starting Over.

After coming agonizingly close to an Olympic podium finish, Maheshwari Chauhan found herself facing a challenge few people talk about—the journey after the dream. A World Championship medalist and one of India’s finest shotgun shooters, she has built her career on precision, resilience, and relentless self-belief. In this conversation, Maheshwari reflects on mental resets, post-Olympic struggles, the power of unlearning, and why her greatest competition has always been the limits she places on herself.

 

Q. In a sport where precision is everything, how do you mentally reset after a shot that doesn’t go as planned without carrying that impact forward?

Of course, shooting is a very precise game with very few margins of error. Just like all athletes train for the technical side of their sport, we also train for the mental side. Not having things go your way is almost the norm because it’s rare to find perfect conditions and a perfect mindset at the same time.

For me, there are several visual and mental cues that help create a reset. Breathwork is definitely a big part of that process. Over time, I’ve learned not to dwell on every shot too deeply. Once a shot is taken, whether it went well or not, it belongs to the past.

You give everything to that moment, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. I think both life and sport teach the same lesson you have to keep resetting and keep moving forward.

Q. What has been the most challenging mental barrier in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?

One of the most challenging phases for me has been navigating life after the Olympics accepting a fourth-place finish, dealing with the post-Olympic blues, and then finding the motivation to begin a completely new Olympic cycle.

It’s a journey I’m still working through. Being an underdog chasing a dream is one story, but learning how to handle expectations, pressure, and a new identity after reaching the highest stage is a different challenge altogether.

This phase has helped me discover new goals, new versions of myself, and a deeper understanding of who I am beyond a result. I’ve been fortunate to have an incredible support system around me because no one achieves anything alone. It truly takes a village.

Q. How do you build and sustain trust in your own abilities, especially in high-stakes competitions?

Trust comes from experience and consistency.

Over the years, I’ve learned to choose routine over motivation, discipline over moods, and commitment over temporary emotions. I journal a lot and maintain what I call a “proof bank” a collection of reminders that I’ve shown up for myself when it mattered most.

That trust is built by repeatedly proving to yourself that you can handle difficult situations, recover from setbacks, and keep moving forward. It also comes from understanding how much work you’ve put in behind the scenes.

And honestly, trust is never something you fully arrive at. Every new goal demands a new level of belief.

Q. Could you describe what a difficult training day looks like for you and how you push through it?

A difficult training day is usually when I’m not in the right headspace to train. I feel sore, fatigued, mentally drained, and the idea of putting in hours of work feels incredibly challenging.

The hardest part is knowing whether your body genuinely needs rest or whether it’s simply your mind seeking comfort. Learning to differentiate between those two things is a skill in itself.

There are also days when you come off a fantastic week of training feeling confident, only for the sport to humble you immediately. Those moments can make you feel like you’re back at square one.

But growth often begins the moment you decide to show up despite how you feel.

Q. How important are routines and structure in maintaining your performance consistency?

Routine and structure are absolutely essential.

Consistency isn’t built on motivation—it’s built on commitment. The ability to keep showing up regardless of your mood, circumstances, or emotions is what creates long-term performance.

Repetition develops muscle memory, resilience, and a deeper understanding of your own limits. It teaches you how to push beyond them.

For me, hard work is simply choosing the person I want to become and committing to that version of myself every single day.

Q. Is there something you had to unlearn  either technically or mentally  to grow as an athlete?

Honestly, unlearning has been more important than learning.

Technically, I’ve had to let go of techniques that once worked for me in order to evolve and improve. Mentally, I’m constantly unlearning beliefs, expectations, and thought patterns that no longer serve the version of me I’m becoming.

As an athlete and especially as an Indian woman there are countless ideas about how you’re supposed to behave, live, and think. Growth often means questioning those ideas and deciding what truly aligns with who you are.

I think growing up is largely the process of letting go of things you no longer need.

Q. What drives you on days when motivation is low but expectations remain high?

What drives me most is curiosity about my own potential.

Motivation actually has very little to do with it. What keeps me going is the excitement of discovering what I’m capable of and how far I can push beyond the limits I once thought existed.

Every time you break through one ceiling, you realize there’s another one waiting beyond it.

I’ve also learned not to tie my identity to results. Successes and failures are part of what I do, but they don’t define who I am. That understanding creates stability, especially when expectations are high and things don’t go your way.

Q. If your entire journey were turned into a film, what would its title be and what phase of your life would be the climax?

I think the title would be “You Can’t Match It, You Can’t Smash It.”

Interestingly, the climax wouldn’t be making it to the Olympics. Most people assume the story ends once the dream is achieved, but I think the real story begins afterward.

The true climax would be this phase of my life the period after the Olympics, where I’m rebuilding, rediscovering myself, setting new goals, and learning how to dream again.

Because sometimes the most important chapter isn’t the one where you arrive. It’s the one where you decide to begin again.

Bio:

Maheshwari Chauhan is one of India's leading shotgun shooters, known for her achievements in skeet shooting on the international stage. Representing India at the highest levels of competition, she has earned recognition for her consistency, precision, and mental resilience under pressure.

A World Championship medalist and Olympian, Maheshwari's journey is defined by discipline, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Beyond her accomplishments in shooting, she is a strong advocate for personal growth, mental conditioning, and continuous self-improvement. Her approach to sport extends beyond results, focusing on resilience, adaptability, and the courage to keep evolving through every challenge.

Through years of dedication to her craft, she has emerged as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that success is built not only through talent but through patience, routine, and an unwavering belief in one's potential.

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Interviewed by -  Niyati Gupta