Heena Sidhu, India’s trailblazing shooter and former world No. 1, has redefined success beyond medals and milestones. In this candid conversation, she reflects on resilience, personal growth, and the delicate balance between ambition and purpose
In a world where success is often measured by trophies and titles, Heena Sidhu offers a fresh perspective. A former world number one shooter, she has not only made India proud on the global stage but has also navigated personal challenges with unshakable strength. From redefining her idea of success to overcoming depression and finding balance as a mother and an athlete, Heena’s journey is one of perseverance and self-discovery. In this candid conversation, she shares the lessons she has learned, the battles she has fought, and the wisdom she hopes to pass on to the next generation of women leaders.
You’ve achieved excellence in a field where few Indian women have. How do you define success? And has that definition evolved throughout your journey?
I think it has evolved. Initially, I used to define success by the medals I won or didn’t win. But over the years, I have found a new definition—if today is better than yesterday and I have a plan to make tomorrow better than today, that is success.
If an ordinary person goes to work and earns a salary, the idea of success based on medals doesn’t apply to them. So, does that mean they aren’t successful? The reality is that they are working hard for a better tomorrow, and that, in itself, is success. I have applied the same philosophy to sports as well.
Every extraordinary woman has faced defining challenges that tested her resilience. Could you share a moment in your journey that shaped you the most and how you navigated it?
I think, for me, it was when I went through depression in 2018. I was diagnosed, and it took me two years of therapy and a lot of medication. But after coming out of it, I began to see life through a completely different lens. I started understanding what truly makes me happy and what doesn’t.
My internal dialogue changed significantly, and so did my priorities. Family and friends became more important—sometimes even more than money or medals. With that shift in perspective, I found a new kind of strength and the patience to keep going. No matter what happens at the range, I know that when I go home, my daughter will still run to hug me. She doesn’t care what I have achieved or not achieved on the range—and that, to me, is the real source of strength.
So whether in sports, business, or socio-cultural leadership, the tension between personal ambition and a larger purpose is constant. How do you maintain that balance? And what advice would you give to aspiring women leaders?
As women, we experience a very different kind of tension. Let’s put it this way—as a mother, I feel guilty when I can’t spend enough time with my daughter. But if I take a break for a few days and focus only on my daughter, a part of me starts questioning, What am I doing for myself?
I need to give attention to myself, to my family, and to my daughter, and no matter how much I try, the guilt is always there. There’s a constant feeling of I didn’t do this—even when you achieve something, you feel guilty about something else. This is true for all women, whether in business, sports, or any other field.
But over time, you start accepting that these are the choices we make. Unfortunately, we can’t be in two places at once, but we can do our best—balancing time for ourselves, our children, and our work.
More importantly, we are setting an example. Our daughters watch us, and if we can manage our guilt with a smile, we give the next generation the confidence to do it with happiness instead of guilt. We need to be the role models who show them that it’s possible.
