Karishma Ali, a Pakistani football player, founder of the Chitral Women's Sports Club, and also a member of Prime Minister's National Youth Council of Pakistan, is an incredibly inspiring 21-year-old. This young woman graced Australian footy fields back in 2017 as part of the inaugural Pakistan Shaheens women’s team at the IC17 tournament in Melbourne. Since then, Karishma has had collaborated with Italian designer Stella Jean and had her clothing paraded on the catwalks of Milan, met with British royalty and been a youth and women’s advocate within Pakistan envoys to China and the United States. Ali has dedicated her life to breaking barriers for women in sports, and ensuring that girls in her home town of Chitral have more opportunities to play sports. Her efforts resulted in her making the list of the Forbes 30 Under 30 success stories. Sit tight as we share a quick chat with the versatile personality. Excerpts follow:

Career-defining moment?

Making it to Forbes Asia 30 under 30.

Happiness is…

Knowing that my parents are proud of me.

The key to success is…

Hard work, dedication.

Hardest life lesson?

Not everyone is happy for your success.

Key life lesson?

Good things don’t come easy.

What inspires you?

Kind hearted people. People who share their success.

You, in three words?

Young woman warrior. (Stella Jean called me that)

Advice to your younger self?

None. I would go back and tap on my back for all the courage.

Greatest life achievement?

Hearing from the little girls and artisans in Chitral I worked with, that I made a positive difference in their lives.

Greatest fear?

Losing my loved ones.

Biggest joy?

My work.

Something you still want to learn?

Consistency, being organised.