Chimi Dema - a Paralympic athlete who overcame societal challenges and personal setbacks to excel in para-sports.

At 31, Chimi Dema is not just a student pursuing a sports science course at Royal Thimphu College—she’s also a determined Paralympic athlete who has proudly represented Bhutan on international platforms.

Born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, Chimi’s journey has been one of resilience and courage. From an early age, she faced societal challenges that could have discouraged many. Yet, with unwavering determination, she broke barriers and carved a space for herself in para-sports, inspiring many along the way.

In 2021, after three years of relentless training, she stepped onto the stage for the first time, competing in the physique model category. She was nervous, but her hard work spoke louder than her fears. She clinched first runner-up. That moment changed everything. It wasn’t just about fitness anymore; it was about proving to herself—and to every woman watching—that limits existed only in the mind.

She kept going. Miss Fitness 2022. Miss Fitness Runners-Up 2023. And then… 2024 happened.

She had trained harder than ever. Her diet was strict. Her sacrifices were immense. Her entire family—her parents, husband, children, relatives—stood in the crowd, cheering her on. But when the results were announced, her name wasn’t even in the top five. The air felt heavy. Her heart sank. She had never felt so crushed. 

Tears welled up in her eyes, but before they could fall, she felt hands on her shoulders. Her family. One by one, they hugged her, whispered words of encouragement, and reminded her that a true champion doesn’t stop when they fall. She went home that night with pain in her chest, but the next morning, she was back in the gym, pushing herself harder than ever.

Then came the turning point. A call for Bhutanese athletes to compete in the Mr. Flex 2025 in India. Self-doubt crept in. Could she do it? What if she failed again? But a voice inside her pushed back: “If I give my all, failure is never the answer.

She trained like never before. Blood, sweat, exhaustion—none of it mattered. She had a goal, and she would stop at nothing to reach it.

When she arrived at the competition, she stood among 59 participants from India and Nepal—seasoned athletes, fierce competitors. The stage was bigger, the stakes were higher, but Yeshi had something that couldn’t be measured: a heart that refused to quit.

And then… victory. Against all odds, she was crowned the Champion of Mr. Flex 2025.

But behind the trophies and victories, there’s a woman who wears many hats. Yeshi is a full-time gym trainer, but she is also a mother who never lets her family feel her absence. Her day begins at 4 AM. By 5 AM, breakfast and lunch are ready. By 5:30 AM, she’s at the gym, training her clients. Her day doesn’t end until 8 PM when she returns home to finish household chores and have dinner with her family. It’s exhausting, but she never complains.

Her family is her greatest supporter. She doesn’t just train her clients; she listens to them. “I may not have solutions to their problems,” she says, “but I always encourage them to push themselves—to be healthy, to have a clear mind. That’s the best cure for any struggle.”

As a trainer, she is disciplined and tough. No jokes, no shortcuts—only hard work. But she admits that sometimes she gets sad, even depressed. “But when I start exercising, I feel good. You spend time for yourself, for your own health. That’s the best way to heal.”

She is grateful for her children, especially her son, who is now a disciplined boxing player. She is thankful for her husband, her parents, and even her well-wishers. “Do you know?” she says with a smile. “My parents even send me my diet meals! They have such beautiful hearts.”

Among her greatest supporters are her two gym partners, Sumit and Sonam. “They push me beyond my limits,” she says. And she is forever thankful to Tshewang Droup, the owner of Dragon Fitness Gym, Babesa, for his unwavering support.

Her dream? To open her own gym—one where women feel safe, empowered, and unstoppable. A place where fitness meets mental well-being, where counseling is as important as lifting weights. A sanctuary for those who dare to break the mold. She knows the road ahead won’t be easy. But she also knows one thing for sure: she was never meant for an easy path. And neither are you.

So the next time you feel like giving up, remember Yeshi’s story. Remember that the greatest victories come from the hardest battles. And above all, remember this:

If you fall seven times, stand up eight.
Because champions aren’t the ones who never fail.
They’re the ones who never stop.

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