When India thinks of badminton, it thinks of Saina Nehwal — the woman who made the shuttle soar higher than anyone imagined. But behind the medals and moments of glory lies a quieter, tougher battle — one she fights every single day: Arthritis.

The Hidden Struggle Behind the Strength

In 2024, during an episode of the House of Glory podcast with Olympian Gagan Narang, Saina opened up about her ongoing struggle with arthritis — a condition that has taken a toll on her knee cartilage after years of relentless training and competition.

“I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state,” she revealed. “I used to train 8 to 9 hours a day, but now it’s just 2. It’s hard to compete when your body doesn’t keep up with your will.”

Her words offered a rare glimpse into the physical cost of excellence — the unseen exhaustion and the quiet pain behind every comeback.

From Power to Perseverance

For athletes, arthritis is more than just joint pain — it’s also an emotional challenge. Someone like Saina, who has always relied on her body for speed and strength, now has to face the reality that her body needs more care than before. It has taught her that real strength isn’t about power — it’s about patience, care, and acceptance.

Even though she has thought about retirement, Saina still trains every day, adjusting her workouts and lifestyle to what her body can handle. Over the years, she has faced many other injuries — from Achilles tendon pain to knee fractures, groin strains, and ankle problems. Yet, she never stopped trying.

Her journey shows that resilience doesn’t mean living without pain — it means continuing to move forward even when things are difficult.

What We Can Learn from Saina’s Journey

Saina’s story isn’t just for athletes — it’s for everyone. Whether you’re someone who wakes up with stiff joints, tired legs, or body pain after a long day, her journey reminds us that giving up is not the answer — listening, adapting, and caring for your body is.

1. Listen to your body — recovery is part of training.

Your body always sends signals — small aches, stiffness, or fatigue are ways it asks for rest. Ignoring these signs can make things worse over time.
Saina has learned to pause when her body needs it. Rest days, light stretching, and proper sleep help the body repair tissues and reduce inflammation. Recovery isn’t laziness — it’s a smart way to stay strong for the long run.

2. Stay consistent — even short, smart workouts matter

With arthritis, long training sessions aren’t always possible. Saina reduced her training hours but focused on quality instead of quantity. You don’t need to spend hours exercising — 20 to 30 minutes of regular, low-impact movement like walking, cycling, or yoga can keep joints flexible and muscles strong. The key is consistency — moving a little every day is far better than doing too much once in a while.

Nutrition and Minerals Matter — Feed Your Joints Right

Why Magnesium Matters for Your Body

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for the human body, yet many people don’t get enough of it. It helps muscles relax, keeps joints flexible, and supports smooth movement by reducing stiffness, cramps, and inflammation.

About 60% of the body’s magnesium is stored in the bones, where it works with calcium and vitamin D to maintain strength and prevent bone loss. It also helps nerves and muscles communicate properly, improving coordination and reducing fatigue. Magnesium plays a major role in energy production — converting food into energy to keep you active and focused. It also supports a calm mind and better sleep by relaxing your nervous system, while maintaining a steady heartbeat and healthy blood pressure. Magnesium even boosts your immune system, helping your body recover faster from physical or emotional stress.

How to Maintain Healthy Magnesium Levels

When magnesium levels are low, people may feel tired, experience muscle cramps, joint pain, poor sleep, or headaches. To keep levels healthy, include magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, bananas, and dark chocolate in your daily diet.

For faster absorption and direct relief, topical products like Be Weird Magnesium Lotion can help. When applied to the skin, magnesium reaches sore muscles and stiff joints directly, helping them relax and recover naturally. It’s light, non-sticky, and safe for everyday use — a small but powerful step toward better movement and long-term joint health.

For Anyone Struggling with Arthritis or Muscle Pain, Magnesium Helps By:

1. Helps muscles recover faster

When you exercise, play sports, or even just move around all day, your muscles use up magnesium. Low magnesium levels can make your muscles feel tired, tight, or sore. Getting enough magnesium helps your muscles relax and recover, reducing cramps and stiffness — something that’s especially helpful for people like Saina Nehwal, who train their bodies daily.

2. Reduces inflammation in the body

Arthritis develops when the joints become irritated and the tissues around them swell over time. Magnesium naturally helps control this inflammation by keeping stress hormones and inflammatory chemicals in balance. Regular magnesium intake can reduce swelling, ease pain, and help joints move more freely.

3. Supports healthy joint movement

Magnesium also helps maintain the elasticity and flexibility of muscles and tissues surrounding the joints. When your muscles are relaxed and flexible, they put less pressure on your joints, reducing pain and stiffness. This is especially useful for people with knee or back pain.

4. Improves circulation and oxygen flow

Good blood flow is key for healing. Magnesium supports healthy circulation, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach sore or damaged areas. This helps in faster repair of muscles and tissues — an important part of recovery for both athletes and active individuals.

Topical Magnesium: A Simple Way to Soothe Pain

While magnesium can be taken through food or supplements, many people find it more effective to apply it topically — directly on the skin. When magnesium is absorbed through the skin, it goes straight to the muscles and joints that need it most. This method avoids digestive issues and provides faster relief from pain, tightness, or cramps.

Applying magnesium lotion or oil after a workout or before bed can:

• Relax sore muscles and reduce tension
  
  

• Improve joint flexibility
  
  

• Support better sleep and recovery
  
  

• Leave the skin soft and hydrated
  
  

A Gentle Act of Care: Be Weird Magnesium Lotion

                   Be Weird Magnesium Lotion

Be Weird Magnesium Lotion is made for people who stay active — athletes, creators, or anyone on their feet all day. It gives your body back the magnesium it loses through stress, exercise, and daily fatigue — directly through the skin.

Unlike heavy creams, it’s natural, light, and fast-absorbing. You can use it when you:

• Feel muscle stiffness or soreness
  
  

• Have joint pain or swelling
  
  

• Experience leg cramps or body aches at night
  
  

• Feel neck or back tension after work
  
  

• Want to relax and recover after a long day
  
  

Regular use helps muscles relax, supports joint flexibility, and improves circulation — making your body feel lighter and more at ease. It’s not a cure, but a simple self-care habit that helps your body recover naturally.
Think of it as your daily reminder to slow down, breathe, and give your body the comfort it deserves — so you can move freely and feel your best every day.

The Bigger Picture

Saina Nehwal may one day step away from the badminton court, but she will never stop inspiring people. Her courage to talk openly about her pain shows that even champions face challenges — and that’s what makes them human.
She has proved that strength isn’t just about winning medals; it’s about facing life’s setbacks with honesty, patience, and hope.

Through her journey, Saina teaches us that our health problems don’t define who we are — how we respond to them does. Instead of giving up, she continues to train, heal, and inspire others to care for their own bodies.

Her story reminds us that real power isn’t always shown in fast smashes or big victories. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet moments — when you slow down, listen to your body, and give it the care it deserves.
Because true strength isn’t about never falling — it’s about finding the will to stand back up, softer, wiser, and stronger than before.

Stay connected with Be Weird — where self-care meets strength, and healing becomes a habit.