Legendary scientist Stephen Hawking, who lived with a motor neuron disease since he was 21, had said, "My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you from doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit as well as physically." For Sanket Sonawane, the words hold relevance. So much so, that after losing his left leg in a road accident at 16, he was optimistic that things would be smooth sailing. "It was when I got to college that I realised I couldn't even climb the stairs of the building without a struggle," the 25-year-old says. But if movement was restricted, his weight went up. He started slow, with walking, and educating himself about what he should eat and how to manage calorie intake. He also started researching workouts that suited his limitations.

Today, as he waits to join Tata Motors as management trainee, he is in a confident space that allows him to use Instagram to inspire other different-abled fitness enthusiasts. He treks, swims, plays basketball and pumps weights in the gym. "The key is to be consistent. And that's not just a physical but mental challenge too. I'd get upset when people stared at me while I exercised. Once I got over that anxiety, the rest was easy. It's all about building a habit."