At 57, Ashu Jain never imagined she would be recognised on the streets, cheered by strangers, or celebrated on national television. Once a homemaker struggling with post-menopausal fatigue and societal expectations, she is now a social media sensation, fitness icon, and reality TV contestant who is rewriting the narrative around ageing and motherhood.

Her journey began at the age of 54, after decades of fulfilling traditional roles as a wife, mother, and caregiver. Like many women, she faced the invisible weight of ‘mom guilt,’ societal expectations, and the belief that her time for chasing dreams had long passed. But she was not ready to fade into the background.

“Most mothers and grandmothers reach a point where our responsibilities peak, and then our dreams take a back seat. I was lucky because I found the courage to reclaim mine,” shares the 57-year-old grandmother with The Better India.

Before becoming a fitness icon, Ashu was on a different, though equally challenging, journey. At 44, encouraged by her children, she resumed her education. First, she finished her MTech course from Jamia Millia Islamia, then a PhD from IIT Delhi, which she completed at 53.

“I used to crib about not completing my studies or having a career. Then my kids told me that this is my time to do something for myself, and they encouraged me to follow my heart,” she says.

‘Mom guilt’ and messy house: The real picture of chasing dreams after 50

The decision wasn’t easy. Pursuing her studies meant making trade-offs — some days, meals weren’t perfectly timed, the house looked lived-in, and exam dates collided with family plans. But the family adjusted, and Ashu kept moving closer to her dreams.

“My house was often messy, and things weren’t always in order. But I was happy — and that joy found its way to everyone else too,” she tells us.

Then came the health scare in March 2022. Her blood pressure spiked, and the doctor suggested lifelong medication. “That moment was a wake-up call,” she recalls. “I did not want to give in to a sedentary and dependent old age.”

Determined to reverse her condition naturally, she resorted to physical activity like regular walking. She also did some research into strength training for women over 50, and that became a major turning point in her life.

“I began my

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