Fat to Finish Line: Breaking Limits

If you’d told me I’d be doing organized running events one day, I would have laughed in disbelief. Not out of disrespect, but out of pure inability to imagine it. That would be impossible. At my heaviest, running even a block felt impossible. Life felt heavy — physically, mentally, and emotionally. I started my health journey with one simple goal: lose weight and be healthy. I thought if I could just shed the extra pounds, life would magically improve.

But somewhere along the way, something much bigger happened.

It wasn’t easy. In fact, this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There were moments I wanted to quit. Days when it felt like I was putting in all the effort but seeing none of the results. Times when old habits whispered louder than my new dreams. But through every moment of frustration, one thing kept me moving forward: I know with absolute certainty I am capable of more.

At first, the motivation was physical — the number on the scale, the size of my clothes. But as weight began to come off, something even greater began to grow: self-discipline, determination, and perseverance. I started waking up earlier, training harder, and pushing through discomfort that used to stop me in my tracks. I learned that real change doesn’t come from motivation alone — it comes from showing up when motivation is nowhere to be found.

Recently, I competed in a 10k. Crossing the finish line was emotional in ways I didn’t expect. It wasn’t just about running — it was about overcoming every limit I have ever placed on myself. It was about fighting through years of self-doubt, the fear of failure, the comfort of excuses, the old habit of not caring about my health. I started this journey just wanting to lose weight. But now, it’s about proving to myself that I am capable of doing hard things — and not just once, but over and over again.

This transformation has morphed into something so much more than numbers on a scale. It’s about constantly striving to improve, setting bigger and bigger goals, and refusing to settle for the life I once thought was “good enough.” It’s about becoming the strongest version of myself, inside and out.

I recently read Iron Cowboy by James Lawrence, an accomplished triathlete known for completing 100 full Ironman triathlons in 100 consecutive days. In his book, he explains how he chooses his goals: he seeks out challenges that scare him—goals which seem impossible. Then, step by step, day by day, he works toward them until, eventually, he accomplishes what once felt out of reach.

This mindset deeply resonates with me. I’m inspired by the pursuit of the impossible. For me, a goal that doesn’t feel intimidating doesn’t feel like a real challenge. Where’s the growth in comfort?

It’s this perspective that fuels my drive and pushes me to test my own limits.

The truth is, I’m nothing special. I don’t have superhuman willpower or some secret formula. I’m just someone who decided not to give up, no matter how many times I fell. And if I can do it, so can you.

The finish line isn’t really a line at all — it’s just another starting point. I’m not done. I’ll keep pushing, keep chasing what once seemed impossible. Because now I know: the real victory isn’t in the weight I lost, or the races I finish — it’s in the person I’m becoming.

I know many who are also on this same journey. Every time you come upon a challenge and the hint of quitting whispers in your ear; think about this—

“If you quit now you will end up right back where you started. And when you started you dreamed of being where you are now. Keep fighting!!”