"When Life Kicks You Down, Respond With a Double Force of Strength And Determination."
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Satish Kanojiya was born on May 17, 1979, in Delhi. His family lived in comfort in the beginning, with his father working with Gray McKenzie Shipping Company as a cargo superintendent abroad when he was growing up. However, the family encountered some difficulties after his father lost his job as a consequence of the war between Iraq and Kuwait. He had a love for eating and a carefree attitude with these obstacles, however once he was 14 years old and started Taekwondo, everything transformed. His journey and mindset were formed by an ongoing dream that began as an exercise of losing weight.
His mother and uncle Ramchandra gave him support to keep trying although his father first stopped him from practising martial arts. When he became interested in learning Taekwondo, Dr. Kanojiya made a lot of efforts, overcoming societal and financial barriers while managing various jobs, school, and intense training. The continuous focus on the sport helped him to excel as a national Taekwondo player while earning his black belt at his young age. He was even selected to represent India in the 2000 Olympics as a player of a Taekwondo demonstration team, but one of the most difficult moments in his entire life occurred when he was forced to quit because of a terrible knee injury.
Dr. Satish Kanojiya now finds fulfilment in helping individuals in insuring themselves from financial challenges guiding the people in choosing the right policies in his employment as a health insurance sales professional. Apart from his career accomplishments, he also does hypnosis, soft skills training, and counselling with experience. Life has taught him that never giving up and confidence are necessary for overcoming hurdles. He wants to be known for staying strong despite each of his struggles in trying to have a positive influence on other people.
“Challenges Reveal Our True Strength"
Phase 1 : Early Life and Challenges
The beginnings of Dr. Satish Kanojiya’s family are in Mumbai. For more than ten years, his father was employed as a cargo supervisor for the UK-based company Gray McKenzie Shipping Company. During his time in Mumbai, his mother Urmila married his father. When Dr. Kanojiya’s twin brother was born, their lives took an unexpected turn; unfortunately, because Delhi did not have enough medical care at the time, he died a few days after his birth. Dr. Kanojiya’s journey began with this loss.
However, he had a happy and comfortable childhood. His early years in a lively environment with two younger brothers is memorable. The Iraq-Kuwait war had caused his father to lose his work, accordingly challenges were ahead. The family’s peaceful life abroad was suddenly changed and they had to decide to come back to India. The transition sparked a period of struggle, but the impact on the children was not immediate. Until Dr. Kanojiya reached the age of seven or eight, the family managed to shield him and his brothers from the full extent of their difficulties. He became aware of the seriousness of their situation as the oldest brother.
Dr. Kanojiya describes himself as a typical student who liked life when he was in the eighth grade, at 14 years old. Rather than aiming for the highest grades, he was not very ambitious in his academic career and preferred to enjoy eating and entertainment. His aunt suggested he think about going to a gym because of his weight, which was said to be between 80 and 90 kgs. His father was in support of this idea; he was a former professional bodybuilder and veteran of the Indian Navy. Regular weight training, still wasn’t interesting to Dr. Kanojiya.
"Determination Bridges Ambition And Achievement, Turning Belief Into Reality"
Phase 2 : The Discovery of Martial Arts
Dr. Satish Kanojiya was always naturally inclined to physical activity, but his introduction to martial arts would have a significant impact on how his life unfolded. Taekwondo is a system that is strongly founded in respect, mental strength, and self-control. His interest and tenacity drove him to investigate it, despite societal misunderstandings in India that sometimes rejected martial arts as merely amusement or a hobby.
When Dr. Kanojiya found an institute nearby, he jumped right into taekwondo training. His love for the sport soon grew into an interest that gave him a strong sense of purpose and belonging in addition to a means of exercising. Initially, he struggled financially, with his father paying for his training till he earned his yellow and green belts. But when he became more serious about making taekwondo his profession of choice, his father became skeptical and asked him to change his mind.
In college, he not only pursued taekwondo but also played football as a goalkeeper for the RCF Junior B team. While for a short period of time he was associated with the Chembur Football Club, martial arts remained his primary focus. He had to give up competitive athletics, nevertheless, in order to look for regular work, as his financial responsibilities grew.
Dr. Kanojiya’s journey through martial arts was marked by passion and perseverance, laying a foundation for future endeavours while navigating the challenges of adulthood. Despite stepping away from martial arts in his early twenties due to financial constraints, his commitment to the sport and the lessons learned continue to influence his life and aspirations.
"Strength is Built in Overcoming, Not Avoiding, Obstacles."
Phase 3
Overcoming Obstacles
& Achievements in
Martial Arts
Dr. Satish Kanojiya’s taekwondo career was filled with both incredible successes and difficult obstacles. He had an uphill battle to follow his passion for martial arts in a world where other sports, like cricket, took precedence. For aspiring athletes like him, access to professional training, appropriate gear, and knowledgeable coaching was a barrier to success.
His pursuit was made more difficult by financial limitations. Concerned about the seeming lack of chances in martial arts, Dr. Kanojiya’s father ceased giving him financial support, forcing him to take on odd jobs to fund his training. He would frequently train for eight or ten hours a day, squeezing in long practice sessions, weight training, and morning jogs. His dedication was constant.
Dr. Kanojiya’s legacy now lies not only in his initial aspirations within martial arts but also in his ability to transform personal setbacks into opportunities for growth and mentorship. By using his past experiences to guide others, he fosters a culture of respect and determination within the martial arts community. His story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of giving back, inspiring young athletes to pursue their passions and face obstacles with courage.
Dr. Kanojiya sees a reflection of his own goals in his daughters, who have continued his taekwondo tradition. While his second daughter is almost ready to receive her black belt soon, his first daughter is currently concentrating solely on her education. By doing this, he keeps paving the road for upcoming generations of martial artists and demonstrating that real success comes from boosting people up along the way, rather than merely getting recognition for yourself.
Success isn’t Defined by One Dream, But by The Ability to Adapt And Thrive in The Face of Change"
Phase 4 : Transition to Professional Life
Dr. Satish Kanojiya had to find a steady job quickly as he graduated from high school and entered adulthood in order to provide for his family. After an unlucky injury destroyed his hopes of being an Olympian, he decided to press ahead and follow other directions instead of letting this setback define him. Financial security had to take precedence above personal aspirations due to the harsh realities of life.
Dr. Satish briefly worked as a trainer before joining Max Life in 2008, which offered him a stable salary and an exciting future. But after only a year and a half of marriage, something unexpected happened in his life. In 2010, the company experienced a downturn and closed its locations, which resulted in his unemployment just before he was set to welcome his first kid. This sudden loss signaled the beginning of a difficult period in his life as he struggled to support his expanding family. After leaving Max Life and soon enough got a job offer with an IT company. Although considering himself lucky for the chance, he eventually quit the job for personal reasons. He felt the consequences of his actions, as he was unemployed for six months at home. Dr. Satish was constantly planning to keep his family stable, but he wasn’t giving up on finding a solution.
In June 2012, fortune smiled upon him when he joined Star Health, where he received an attractive annual package of 12 lakhs, translating to 120,000 rupees per month. This marked a significant turning point in his career, providing him with the financial security he had sought for so long. Since then, Dr. Satish has dedicated himself to his role in Star Health, balancing his responsibilities with his enduring passion for martial arts.
He had incredible strength during this period of time, constantly figuring out how to include his love of taekwondo into his life. With the responsibilities of his corporate job, he continued to be an active participant in the sport and committed time to training at nearby institutes. He had learned priceless lessons about the qualities he gained through his martial arts experience, values that he carried over into his professional journey. Regardless of the route he was taking, the emotional and physical challenges he encountered strengthened his will to succeed.
Dr. Satish Kanojiya’s transition into professional life was marked by both sacrifice and fulfilment. While he set aside his personal ambitions to ensure his family’s stability, his connection to martial arts remained a central aspect of his identity. He skillfully balanced the demands of his corporate job with his ongoing involvement in taekwondo, all while inspiring the next generation to carry forward his passion. His journey from a promising young athlete to a devoted father and professional exemplifies the power of resilience and the ability to adapt to life’s unexpected twists.