Nisha Millet Was Told To Not Swim - She Became An Olympian Swimmer Instead

In this episode of The Rulebreaker Show, listeners were treated to an insightful conversation with Nisha Millet, an Olympian swimmer and Arjuna Award winner. Millet, known for inspiring countless women through her journey, opened up about topics like menopause and how she dealt with it, shedding light on issues many women face but few discuss openly.

A Feminist Upbringing: Defying Norms From A Young Age

Nisha Millet's journey has been one of breaking barriers and defying norms from a young age. She shared anecdotes of her early years, recalling how she challenged older men at swimming pools and emerged victorious, instilling in her a love for competition regardless of gender. Reflecting on her upbringing, Millet attributed her fearless attitude to her father, who encouraged her to be strong and competitive.

She says, "My dad always wanted to raise two strong girls. He's not the type who said, 'Oh, I wish I had a boy.' He was like, 'I'm going to make these girls the most fierce girls.'"

Embracing Loss and Overcoming Obstacles

The conversation also explored the challenges of being a sportsperson, with Millet candidly discussing the prevalence of failure in athletics and the resilience it fosters. She emphasized the importance of embracing failure and learning from it, highlighting the fearlessness athletes develop in facing the unknown. She candidly says, "We have to deal with loss so often that at some point you realize, to hell with this. I'm doing this because I love the sport. You love the thrill of competing, but then you're losing so often, like you said, you just deal with it."

Risk-Taking and Entrepreneurship

Millet's journey extended beyond the pool as she ventured into entrepreneurship, defying expectations and carving her path. She shared anecdotes of facing opposition from sports federations in India and the risks she took in pursuing her passion for swimming.

Prioritizing Health and Well-being

The conversation shifted towards the importance of prioritizing health, particularly for women, who often neglect their well-being amidst various responsibilities. Millet emphasized the significance of physical activity, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep in maintaining overall health.

She states, "Women have to stop feeling sorry for themselves and just say, listen, I've got to prioritize. And priority could be just sitting and doing nothing. It doesn't have to be packing something into your calendar."

Menopause and Women's Health

In a deeply personal segment, Millet bravely her experience with menopause, shedding light on the challenges women face during this phase of life. She emphasized the need for open dialogue and support systems to help women navigate through menopause with dignity and awareness. She says, "Nobody talks about it. Everyone's whispering to me like, 'Oh my God, are you going through perimenopause? How come? We thought you're fit.'"

Fitness and Mood Management

Millet highlighted the role of fitness in managing mood swings and overall well-being, advocating for physical activity as a means of combating stress and maintaining mental health. She shared insights into the meditative benefits of swimming and the importance of staying active during challenging times. She says, "Even swimming, forget about even exercise, but swimming is almost meditative. And I feel a lot of women are choosing that now as they're getting older because they're realizing there's low impact."

Empowering Women Through Dialogue

Throughout the conversation, Millet emphasized the power of open dialogue and mutual support in empowering women to overcome obstacles and embrace their journeys. She encouraged women to speak up, seek help when needed, and build strong networks to navigate through life's challenges.

Nisha Millet's journey is an inspiration for women everywhere, reminding us of the strength and resilience inherent within each of us. Through her courage and openness, she continues to break barriers and pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered future.