I started distance running 10 years ago. I actually started running because I wanted to do something I didn’t like, just to prove to myself that I could one time. I signed up for a half marathon in San Diego, trained for it, and crossed that finish line and that moment changed my life. What started as a personal challenge/ goal turned into a passion, a lifestyle, a community, and ultimately a purpose.

I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2024, and it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. To date, and I’ve even shared this with Boston Athletic Association President Jack Fleming,  it is my favorite marathon out of the 11 marathons I’ve completed for so many reasons. One of the most special moments for me was attending the Black Unicorn Marathoners ceremony. Hearing everyone’s stories, connecting with run family I've known but never met in real life,  making new connections,  and knowing I was now a part of that number, and realizing that no matter how I got to Boston, I belonged there and deserved to be there. This was a powerful moment for me. Every time I think about Boston, I’m reminded how far this journey has taken me from someone who once said she hated running to becoming a Boston Marathoner.

What excites me most about running is who I’ve become because of it and the people it has brought into my life. Running has taken me all over the world, introduced me to lifelong friends, and showed me that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined. But more than medals and miles, running gave me a renewed purpose in life. After becoming an author of You Matter,  What Would Living in Your Purpose Everyday Look Like?, the opportunity to spread the message You Matter expanded even greater through running. It led me to create the You Matter Juneteenth Freedom 5K, which raises money for scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

So, for me, running is bigger than me, it’s about impact, community, and showing others that they matter. Every day I get to run, I don’t take it for granted. It is a blessing. Even on the days I may feel pain, I keep going because there are people who would love to be able to do what I’m able to do. I will always give God the glory for the strength, the endurance, and the ability to keep putting one foot in front of the other and cross every finish line.

Your journey is your journey. Don’t spend time comparing your pace, your body, your medals, or your chapter to someone else’s. Just keep showing up. Be consistent. Be grateful. And don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way. Some days you’ll run fast, some days you’ll run slow, and some days you might just dance to the finish… like me (iykyk) and that’s okay too. 

Just don’t quit! 

Keep going. You might be one decision, one race, or one finish line away from your life changing and you just might change someone else’s life in the process too. Never forget that YOU MATTER. Your story matters. And the world needs what only you can bring to it.

You matter to more people than you’ll ever know.

Thanks for coming to my TEDx Talk.