Believe in Yourself: Sufiya's Inspiring Journey for Women
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Synopsis
On International Women's Day, five-time Guinness World Record holder Sufiya Sufi shared her powerful message on how women can break barriers by embracing their inner strength and pursuing their passions without limitations.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize and trust your inner strength.
- Passion and obsession are vital for achieving goals.
- Women can break societal barriers with self-belief.
- Financial challenges can be overcome with persistence.
- Staying fit is important for everyone, not just athletes.
New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) In celebration of International Women's Day, Sufiya Sufi, a five-time Guinness World Record holder and one of India’s most remarkable endurance athletes, emphasized that women can accomplish anything they set their minds to by breaking free from the limitations imposed on themselves and nurturing a “passion and craziness” for their aspirations.
'Kaun kehta hai aasma mei surakh nahi ho sakta, ek patthar to tabiyat se uchhalo yaaron', this renowned line was embodied by Sufiya, who left her well-established position in aviation to pursue a career as a world-class endurance runner.
“When you possess a passion for something, it drives you to accomplish many things. At that moment, you don't focus on the obstacles; all that counts is achieving the goal you've set for yourself. Having a passion and obsession for your goal is essential. Regardless of your field, you should have that level of commitment to succeed,” Sufiya stated in an exclusive interview with IANS.
In 2018, Sufiya began running as a means to escape her aviation career and relieve stress. Since then, she has secured her place in the Guinness Book of Records five times and established numerous milestones in ultrarunning within India.
She currently holds records for traversing the Manali-Leh route on foot in 2022, the quickest time for a female to complete the Golden Quadrilateral in 2021, and the fastest woman to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 2019. Additionally, she participated in the Tribute Run to honor the sacrifices of Kargil war heroes.
“My journey didn’t begin with a passion; I merely aimed to escape corporate life and pursue something distinct. After leaving my aviation role, I started running. It began simply in the park, and gradually, it evolved into my passion. My first run was in 2019 from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, which earned me my first Guinness World Record in road running. In 2020, I completed the Golden Quadrilateral run, covering 6000 km through four major cities,” the Under Armour athlete recounted.
“Subsequently, I ventured into mountain running and accomplished a run from Siachen to Kargil for the Indian Army. I also ran across Qatar from south to north, which became another record for me. By embracing such challenges, I realize I can push my limits even further,” she continued.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during her journey, Sufiya stated that she never lost faith in herself. She stressed that doubt should not have a place in your mind when embarking on something new.
“The challenges arose right from the start, particularly when I left behind a secure corporate life. Initially, people were unaware of what ultrarunning entailed, but I felt being a pioneer in this field was a significant achievement. The greatest obstacle was financial, but over time, I gained support. I never gave up on believing in myself.
“I never doubted my abilities during my journey, nor did I allow doubts to take root. When you begin something, I believe there should be no uncertainties in your mind about it,” she reflected.
Delivering a powerful message to all women, the athlete urged them to first acknowledge their inner strength instead of making excuses regarding societal or familial challenges.
“Women have imposed limitations on themselves. In my community, there were numerous restrictions on women, and I was the first girl to step outside and work. You must first believe in yourself; only then can you persuade others that your actions are justified. Recognizing your inner strength is crucial, and learning to trust yourself is vital rather than making excuses about societal or familial constraints,” Sufiya advised.
She concluded by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Fight against Obesity' initiative, stating, “It’s a commendable effort. Even if you’re a housewife, your primary goal should be to stay fit. Moreover, mental fitness is equally important. You don’t have to be an athlete to maintain fitness. Regardless of your profession, staying fit is as essential for everyone as it is for athletes.”
Sufiya is now preparing for 'Run Around the Globe', where she aims to run 40,000 km in 680 days, becoming the first female runner to undertake this challenge.
