"Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts"
Dedication
This biography is dedicated to my beloved husband, Sanjay Singh Rathore, whose unwavering support, love, and belief in me have been the foundation of my strength. Through every challenge, transition, and triumph, you have stood by my side, encouraging me to push forward and embrace every opportunity with confidence. Your presence in my life has been my greatest blessing, and I am forever grateful for the partnership, love, and tenacious support we share.
To my wonderful children, Avni, Yashvardhan, and Karnika—you are my greatest joy and motivation. Your laughter, love, and boundless energy remind me every day of the beauty of life and the importance of perseverance. You inspire me to be the best version of myself, and I hope my journey serves as an example for you to chase your dreams fearlessly and embrace life with courage and determination.
To my in-laws, Mr. Udai Singh Rathore and Mrs. Vinod Kanwar, for your endless love, support, and appreciation—you all give me even more than my parents. To my parents, whose sacrifices, guidance, and unconditional love have shaped the person I am today. My father, Mr. Azad Singh, whose vision and wisdom taught me the value of resilience, and my mother, Mrs. Punam Rani, whose warmth and strength have been my greatest comfort—I owe so much of my journey to you. Your constant belief in me has given me the courage to face life’s uncertainties and transform challenges into opportunities. My brother, Prashant, you have always been my supporter and motivator. To my grandparents, who were extremely supportive and motivating.
To Marama, my dearest friend, whose steadfast support and kindness helped me heal during difficult times. Your presence, especially throughout Karnika’s journey to this side of the earth, was a gift beyond measure. Thank you for being such a vital part of our family’s journey, and for your constant belief in me.
To my Hindi teacher, Mrs. Harsha Lakhera, I admire her a lot. Looking back, Mrs. Harsha Lakhera’s Hindi classes weren’t just lessons; they were transformative experiences. Her ability to connect the language to Indian culture, history, and literature ignited a lifelong appreciation within me. More than just grammar and vocabulary, she instilled a deep respect for the richness and beauty of the Hindi language, a gift I continue to cherish. You have always been an inspiration and an idol to me. To my friends Neera, Manju, Jitender, and Neeru, who have been part of my journey in college—your guidance, encouragement, and support have played a crucial role in my personal and professional growth. To my mentors and colleagues, your words of wisdom and faith in my abilities have fueled my determination and helped me navigate the many complexities of life with confidence and purpose.
Finally, this book is dedicated to every individual who has faced adversity and refused to be defined by it. To those who continue to rise above challenges, embrace change, and forge their own paths—I hope my story reminds you that no obstacle is too great, no setback is permanent, and that strength, perseverance, and self-belief can lead you to a life beyond your dreams. Never stop striving, never stop believing, and never stop becoming the best version of yourself.
Dr. Pooja Rathore
Phase 1 : The Early Years of a Bright Beginning
“What do you do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.”
From her birth in Gurgaon, Dr. Rathore grew up during her childhood years in Delhi, which developed her into an ambitious, resilient woman. From the beginning, she grew up among family influences that emphasized perseverance and meant both discipline and nurture. Before retiring, her father, a dedicated police officer, served as Assistant Commissioner while maintaining his position in the police force. The requirement for discipline combined with integrity and strategic thinking during his career later guided Dr. Rathore’s life and professional approach. The family base that sustained them quietly and the backbone of their household throughout every day was played by Dr. Rathore’s mother, while she maintained her role of providing unconditional warmth and support as a homemaker.
Her parents taught her that education, along with integrity and drive, should be her core principles in life. The family consisted of two children. Her younger brother completed her childhood with love and friendship. The siblings maintained friendly relationships through various stages of life while encouraging each other’s goals.
Since the beginning of her life, Dr. Rathore showed outstanding intellectual abilities along with passionate commitment to succeeding at every activity she attempted. During her education, Dr. Rathore studied at different Delhi schools, which she entered effortlessly as she maintained her position as a dedicated and high-achieving student. Academic stars started recognizing her latent abilities, so she became known throughout her classes as an exemplary studier. Besides academic achievements, Dr. Rathore showed unmatched talent in school activities. Throughout all school events, she demonstrated a natural talent for achieving excellence, whether through debates and cultural activities or creative endeavors.
She always held top positions in her class and this motivated her to pursue ambitious objectives in future as well. School personnel wanted her to choose science during her final years of education because they saw medical or engineering professions as suitable for her talents. Life took an unexpected direction because her father desired to shape her professional path. The years he dedicated to serving as a public servant had led him to dream of his daughter pursuing Indian Administrative Services (IAS) as a career. The civil service career represented his highest aspiration, so he firmly believed Dr. Rathore was capable of achieving success in it.
The decision to select arts instead of science overruled her affection for science when her father made the selection for her school curriculum. The sudden change brought disappointment that caused long-lasting internal turmoil for her. She longed to pursue a different education path that would allow her scientific inquiry, but these plans transformed into something contrary to her dreams. She required multiple years to reconcile with this transformation while doubting on multiple occasions whether she surrendered control of personal dreams. With each year, she encountered new insights about the situation.
Phase 2 : A Journey Beyond Borders
“The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.”
When Dr. Rathore turned 20, she embarked on a journey from Delhi toward the distant territory of New Zealand. At Venkateshwar College within Delhi University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts as she excelled as top of her graduating class before facing a crucial decision. The bright, ambitious student in her wanted to pursue opportunities that extended past the conventional professional choices shown before her. Hospitality as a career path captivated her spirit, so she chose New Zealand because it offered world-class academic standards as well as rewarding professional prospects.
New Plymouth welcomed her when she decided to move there to follow her passion in hotel management studies. The move brought numerous difficulties throughout her adjustment time. Adjustment to a new environment during her first months abroad proved difficult because of divergent cultural customs and a non-familiar school system while missing her home country by thousands of miles. It occurred to her that her college choice brought uncomfortable feelings. Unfamiliarity around her made her nervous, yet she decided against surrendering to those unsettling emotions. She refused to yield to the state of uncertainty; thus, she adopted a proper stance in this environment, which differed substantially from her familiar world.
Reaching independence became Dr. Rathore’s goal, so she searched for employment right after entering the country. She found part-time employment in her second week of living there, as she divided her time between classes in the mornings and evening work shifts. The initial experience managing schoolwork and employment taught Dr. Rathore valuable skills of resilience, which would become her career foundation. The time of personal crisis showed her exactly how powerful she could be.
She gradually settled in Auckland since the city offered better chances in hospitality. She embarked on a fresh journey that transformed her professional career together with her personal existence in unanticipated ways. The lively hospitality sector and multicultural atmosphere of Auckland allowed her to develop her professional journey. Through prolonged work in the hospitality sector, she continuously aimed to establish recognition for herself. She became noticeable within the industry because of her efficient work management together with her natural leadership capabilities.
She came to Auckland at this time when she met Sanjay, who became her future life partner. Sanjay and Dr. Rathore developed their loving bond throughout time until they tied the knot in 2010, marking their start as a married couple who consistently supported one another. Dr. Rathore’s journey has been one of resilience, but standing beside her through every triumph and hardship has been her husband, Sanjay. Their love story began in the hospitality industry, where they both started their careers, working together to build a future. However, Sanjay’s aspirations extended beyond hospitality, and with unwavering determination, he pursued a career in law enforcement. His hard work paid off when he was selected to join the New Zealand Police, a milestone that marked a new chapter in their lives.
Phase 3 : Empowering Communities Through Justice and Rehabilitation
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”
Her leadership capabilities reached their peak when she took the GM (General Manager) position at WNZ Ltd. She led a diverse team of professionals by delivering top-quality services with a priority on employee growth in this managerial role. She used performance measurement systems to assess team members and their teams, and she provided ongoing feedback sessions with coaching, which led to improved performance. She understood the importance of professional growth, so she started a process to discover employee skill weaknesses and built specialized development training programs for enhancing capabilities. The strategic nature of her management style allowed her team to succeed beyond targets while she led them effectively. During 2009–2010, she worked with the Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand.
In the 2011 New Zealand earthquake, she dedicated her efforts to the community as she supported relief organizations serving those affected by the disaster. The experience strengthened her dedication to supporting people and showed her deep commitment to making a positive impact on the community.
The judicial system received her deep administration and management skills, which surpassed her work at corporate sector entities. She performed the role of Court Registry Officer in overseeing jury trials at Manukau District Court, which operated as one of the most active judicial entities in New Zealand. As part of her duties, she managed to publish trial schedules while she adjusted schedules to match legal proceedings with the best-suited qualified takers for maximum courtroom efficiency. She dedicated time to training newly appointed court takers alongside case managers to enable them to face the complications in their roles effectively.
The impact of Dr. Rathore extended throughout the court administration. Dr. Rathore connected the court to the Crown Director’s office by establishing essential conferences, and she collaborated daily with Kay Fletcher Walker (Crown South Auckland) to advance mutual understanding and operational harmony. The scope of her responsibilities included the management of witness payments, backed by scheduling their transportation needs and leading exhibit security protocols. When she served as Deputy Registrar, she gained comprehensive knowledge about Search and Surveillance Act procedures because she concurrently held the position of Issuing Officer.
As a part of her role, Dr. Rathore handled extensive duties beyond basic supervision requirements. She dedicated herself to evaluating potential risks and developing comprehensive strategies for managing the rehabilitation and reintegration of supervised offenders. One of the key components of her responsibilities involved conducting home visits in collaboration with the Child Sex Offender Register (CSOR) Police. These visits enabled her to assess the living environments of vulnerable individuals and implement proactive measures to prevent recidivism. Dr. Rathore also built strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and critical stakeholders, facilitating coordinated efforts to uphold public safety and support offender rehabilitation. Her meticulous case management approach and sound professional judgment established her as a highly respected and indispensable member of the team.