It didn’t begin with a medal or a milestone.
It began with a quiet, deeply personal decision — one made not on a track, but in the mirror. Overweight, overwhelmed, and navigating the endless rhythm of motherhood, Poonam Pawar realized it was time. Time to take back her health. Not for anyone else. For herself.
So, she laced up. And never looked back.
“You’ll never regret showing up”
For Poonam, running wasn’t a lifelong love affair. It came into her life like a lifeline — steady, grounding, and surprisingly joyful. In the early days, finding time felt like a battle. Between raising two kids and managing a home, even carving out a few minutes seemed impossible. But she didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She created them.
She began with small, realistic goals. “3 days of running, 3 days of strength training” — a routine that fit her life rather than upend it. It wasn’t just about the miles or minutes; it was about momentum. The kind that slowly, powerfully reshapes your life.
Strength in the Struggle
Poonam’s journey wasn’t smooth — and she’s the first to say so. The toughest part wasn’t a race or an injury. It was the daily tug-of-war between responsibilities and self-care. But she held her ground.
Each skipped run taught her something. Each completed one taught her even more.
“The hardest part is lacing up. But once you do… you’re always glad you did,” she says. Her mantra is simple: “You’ll never regret showing up, but you might regret skipping it.”
Why She Keeps Running
There are days when the bed is warmer than the trail. When motivation feels like a memory. But on those days, Poonam runs anyway. Not to chase a number. Not to post a photo.
She runs to remind herself that she can.
The finish lines are beautiful. But it’s the consistency — the quiet discipline — that defines her. She shows up for herself because she knows the power of showing up. She’s not out to prove anything to the world. Just to herself.
Advice for Beginners: Patience, Consistency, Joy
When asked what she’d tell someone just starting out, Poonam doesn’t speak in metrics or training jargon.
“Patience is the key. Keep consistent. Enjoy the process.”
There’s a calm wisdom in her words — the kind that comes not from books or coaching certifications, but from lived experience. She knows the pressure new runners feel. The need to be faster, better, leaner. But she reminds them: it’s not a race against others. It’s a relationship with yourself.
A Dream with Seven Stops
Poonam’s eyes are set on the big stage — the World Marathon Majors. All seven of them. It’s a goal that requires not just endurance, but unwavering commitment.
She’s not chasing the title for glory. She’s chasing it because every race is a story — one she wants to live fully, from start to finish. Her dream reflects the kind of person she is: someone who dares, someone who dreams, someone who doesn’t stop.
Sorgen on the Sidelines — and in the Stride
Poonam first discovered Sorgen during an event — not as a runner curious about gear, but as someone paying attention to how she felt.
“Sorgen sleeves… they’re easy to wear,” she says simply. But behind that statement is trust — the kind that comes from integrating a product into the rhythm of your movement.
It’s not about endorsements. It’s about ease, reliability, comfort — all the little things that matter on mile 18, when everything else feels hard.
Unbreakable: A Mother’s Story
If her life were a movie, Poonam says it would be called “Unbreakable: Mother Story.”
It’s not hard to see why. Hers is a story of quiet grit, of a woman who put her feet on the ground and kept moving forward — not because it was easy, but because she believed she could.
She’s not chasing perfection. She’s chasing presence. And in doing so, she’s become something far more powerful than a runner — she’s become a role model.
Follow her journey of strength and stride: @coachpoonampawar
About Sorgen Spotlight
Each week we shine a light on runners who inspire us to lace up, learn, and live better. Stay tuned for more real stories, real sweat, and the science-backed gear that keeps our community moving.
