I’m a tall girl (5’9) with a quiet personality. Right now, you’d think that’s attractive, but growing up, it wasn’t. I was often called names by fellow kids in school for being the tallest in class, which triggered my loss of self-esteem.

 Even so, throughout my teenage years, I had one recurring interest —fashion modeling. 

In 2018, I decided to try out an audition, but I didn’t make the cut. I went back again in 2019, and I didn’t get chosen again. “You’re not skinny enough,” the casting directors said. Now, add ‘too fat’ to my list of insecurities.

 My confidence was shattered. But I couldn’t give up.

So, I started running to lose some pounds and return to audition. But I did not return. I fell so hard in love with how strong, sexy, and powerful I felt after running that my interest changed from fashion to fitness.

 Follow along to find out how running has helped me build my self-esteem and rediscover myself. 

1. My Body Image Has Extremely Improved

As you’ve read above, I’ve always been self-conscious about my height and body while growing up. However, through the milestones I have achieved in running, I have gained the utmost appreciation for what my body can do instead of how it looks.

Today, I feel connected to my body more than ever.

2. I Have Lost Weight and Gained Fitness

My running routine, which involves running regularly and strength training/cross-training, has allowed me to lose weight and gain fitness, which makes me feel super sexy in my body every day.

Now, the things I was insecure about, like my height, have become what I’m most proud of.

 3. I Have Developed Great Self-belief 

“Believe in yourself.” is a phrase I’d heard countless times and didn’t resonate with until I started running. 

At the beginning of my running journey, I couldn’t complete a kilometre without stopping frequently. But after a lot of consistent running, I started finishing 2km. Now I run 5k’s and 10k’s effortlessly.

These accomplishments have helped me discover that self-belief is the key to success, and they have inspired me to take up more challenges in my life that I previously thought I couldn’t handle.

Related: How I Run 2km Daily Without Stopping

4. I’m Free from Self and Societal Limitations

 Now, whenever  I’m faced with a problem, I remind myself that if I can run consistently from 2019, pushing through difficult runs, going harder every year, and breaking through my own boundaries, I can do anything.

5. I’m More Outgoing

Previously, I didn’t speak much because I didn’t think people needed to know what I thought. But through meeting other runners, training together, and helping each other achieve our running goals, I have learned that my/your knowledge matters, as it can change someone’s life.

So, to put myself out there more, I started this running blog to inspire and promote running.

 6. I Have Found My Purpose

I have found my passion in running and realized that running is powerful as it fosters self-confidence, which empowers you to pursue your goals and ambitions.

Now, nothing matters to me more than sharing this gift of running with every person so they can experience its power and live life to their full potential.

7. My Posture is Reformed

As a teenager, I was constantly worried that I would grow to have a slouched posture because of my tall height. I actually almost did in my teens.

However, through regular running, strength training, and mobility training, my upper and lower body have gained strength and flexibility, which has helped balance my posture. 

Fun Fact

 I constantly meet strangers who stop to compliment my height, which makes me appreciate running even more, especially because of how much it has built my confidence.

From my experience running consistently for the 5th year, I can attest that running regularly will help you connect with yourself in a way that will free you, make you bold, and help you live passionately and fully.

Now I’d like to hear from you.

Have you been running long? How has running helped build your confidence?

Please comment below to encourage other runners.

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