Powerlifting more than a sport for UB School of Management student

UB senior Pallavi Shankar calls it “the defining part” of her life. It is more than fitness, but certainly all of that. This is about movement, inner and outer strength, self-empowerment, control.

Shankar is an Indian powerlifting champion. She has become the avatar of her message: Powerlifting can be the road to self-actualization, being the best you can be, a path to mental, physical and even spiritual enhancement.

“Powerlifting gives me joy from within,” says Shankar, who is happy talking about her other worthwhile passions and accomplishments, just not now.  “The first time I lifted 100 kgs (about 220 pounds), I was just on Cloud Nine.

“It just makes me feel awesome. Powerfully strong, and you know when you are physically strong, you just mentally get stronger, too. You just know what you are signing up for, and you know you can deal with it. It gives you so much strength, so much power, you can just stand straight up and talk to anybody you want, knowing you can handle it. And that’s just how it’s been going.”

There is a more polished version of the same commitment in the personal statement Shankar wrote for graduate school applications. It’s such a key element to her growth and development, and what others can learn, it’s worth hearing her out a little more.

“Powerlifting is more than just a sport,” wrote Shankar, now 23. “It’s a movement of strength, resilience and self-empowerment, especially for women.

“For the longest time, lifting heavy weights was seen as something only men did, but today, women around the world are proving that strength has no gender. Women are often told to be ‘small,’ ‘graceful’ and ‘delicate.’  Why should strength be limited to men?

“Powerlifting challenges outdated beliefs and proves that women can be strong, powerful and unstoppable. If you’re a woman considering powerlifting or going to gym, but feeling hesitant, just start. Strength training isn’t about looking a certain way, it’s about feeling powerful, independent and in control of your body.”

 Among Shankar’s numerous titles:

• First place, WPC (World Powerlifting Congress India) national 2023 trial.
• First place, WPC India nationals.
• First place, BPA Championship (Bengaluru Powerlifting Association).
• UB Powerlifting 1,000 LB Challenge (squat+deadlift+bench = 1,000 lbs.) Shankar’s total: 600 lbs.

What sets Shankar apart are her accomplishments outside of powerlifting. She is graduating this spring from the BA/MS program in data analytics and is exploring other master’s programs in data analytics. Her skill set includes proficiency in technical tools like R, Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau. She has also been an IT analyst at McAfee Software, where she tackled real-world challenges and sharpened her analytical skills.

She has also spearheaded projects that include developing an ETL pipeline, an innovative social media app, chatbot development, and more examples that blend creativity with technical expertise while driving strategic and business planning for the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York.

Shankar’s blend of research and hands-on experience sets her apart in the analytics landscape.

“Every data tells a story,” she explains. “And I aspire to be the storyteller who brings those insights to life and drives meaningful change.”

Her career ambition is to become a leading business/data analyst, bridging the gap between technical insights and strategic decision-making.

And she’s also a True Blue ambassador for the 2024-25 academic year, a fierce booster of UB.

“UB has truly become my second home,” she says. “The people here are incredibly welcoming, kind and supportive, whether it’s my professors, mentors or the amazing friends I’ve made.”

Shankar notes that being an international student comes with challenges, “but UB gave me a sense of belonging. I’ve met people from diverse backgrounds, each with an inspiring journey. Together we’ve built friendships that feel like family.”

The UB mentorship is a big part of her loyalty. She singles out Raj Sharman, a management science and systems professor in the School of Management. Serving as a graduate student assistant was “a turning point in my life,” she says.

“Professors who guide me, seniors who support me and peers who inspire me to push my limits — every interaction has shaped me into a better version of myself.”

Shankar calls coming to UB has been “one of the best decisions of my life.”

“This place has given me more than just an education,” she says. “It has given me a second home, a dedicated support system and a place to grow, both personally and professionally. Every experience, every lesson and every moment here is something I cherish.”

Shankar says UB has been “amazing” for her career. Finding an established powerlifting community there is “like a cherry on top,” she says. While in India considering education options, UB was the only university among about 15 she researched that had a video about its powerlifting club.

“This is my place,” she told herself.

Now, she is one of only three women on the 30-person UB powerlifting club. She is intent on spreading the word.

“I want to let people know it is OK to do it,” Shankar says. “It is not harmful, if you are taking all precautions and your form is right. You don’t have to just go and lift 200 pounds. There is a process you have to follow.  And if you follow that, you will feel stronger, too.

“Every woman at UB I want to motivate. I want them to know it is not risky. It gives you more strength, more energy. You can live independently. You don’t have to depend on anyone. And that is something every woman should do.”