He Beat Cancer at 18 and Returned to Deadlift 220 Kgs—Paras Bajaj’s Comeback Will Leave You Speechless
He Beat Cancer at 18 and Returned to Deadlift 220 Kgs—Paras Bajaj’s Comeback Will Leave You Speechless
When most teenagers are thinking about school and exams, Paras Bajaj from Sitarganj, Uttarakhand, has a different dream. He wanted to build his life around fitness. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Paras spent his time watching fitness videos and planning how to transform his body. Studies never interested him, and by the time he reached Class 12, he knew he wanted to follow his passion. At just 17, he dropped out of school and moved to Delhi to join a professional fitness academy.
There, Paras learned that fitness wasn’t just about building muscles,it was about discipline, focus, and mental strength. His own body began to change, and he started helping others with their fitness goals. Soon, a bigger dream took shape,owning his own gym. That dream came true when he received a government start-up loan at the age of 18. With that, he opened a gym in his hometown. Life seemed perfect,clients were coming in, his business was growing, and he was finally doing what he loved.
But just two months after opening the gym, Paras was hit with shocking news. What started as a mild cough turned out to be a 5 kg tumor. Doctors in Chandigarh informed him that the tumor had crushed his right lung. He was diagnosed with cancer. Everything changed overnight.
Paras began chemotherapy, and the strong, confident boy who once trained clients began to weaken. He lost his muscles, his hair, and even the strength to lie down. He would often sleep sitting up because lying flat was painful. During those tough days, he constantly thought about one thing, what would happen to his gym and his dream?
On April 30, 2024, Paras underwent surgery. Just 12 days later, doctors told him the words he had been waiting to hear, he was cancer-free. Even though he was still recovering, Paras returned to his gym only six weeks after the surgery. His body was weak, but his will was stronger than ever.
Today, Paras continues to inspire many. He recently shared his journey with Humans of Bombay, and the video went viral. In the video, he can be seen deadlifting 220 kgs, a symbol of how far he’s come. Paras says he is proud of his scars and believes cancer didn’t take away his dream; it made him stronger.
