As I prepare to run my first 5K at 47, I’ve been thinking about how long sports have been part of my story.

Recently, my 6th-grade teacher tagged me on Facebook in an old photo. A few of my classmates and I were recognized as some of the most athletic students.

I had to smile.

I was only 10 or 11 years old.

Thirty-six years later, I’m still here.

Still running.
Still training.
Still challenging myself.
Still an athlete.

But today, being an athlete means something different to me.

Staying True to Who You Are

That old picture reminded me that growth doesn’t always mean becoming someone completely different.

Sometimes growth means staying true to who you’ve always been while having the courage to keep evolving.

Sports have done that for me.

They have been more than races, workouts, medals, finish lines, or numbers on a watch. Sports have shaped the way I approach growth and life.

You train.

You struggle.

You adjust.

You learn.

And you keep moving forward.

That philosophy has followed me far beyond fitness. I’ve carried it into leadership, relationships, difficult seasons, personal goals, and the work I’m building today.

It’s also at the heart of Break It Forward Performance.

Why 47 Feels Different

Seven has always been one of my favorite numbers, so there’s something about turning 47 that feels special.

I’m claiming this as a year of MORE.

Not simply more accomplishments.

More growth.
More courage.
More experiences.
More impact.
More willingness to challenge myself.

And most importantly, becoming a better version of myself without losing the person I’ve always been.

That’s the part I’m learning to appreciate.

The 10-year-old athlete didn’t disappear.

She grew.

One Thought Can Change Something

As I expand Break It Forward Performance, I want to continue sharing what I learn along the way.

Sometimes it will come from running.

Sometimes fitness.

Sometimes leadership.

Sometimes it will simply come from life.

There is always a story to share, something to reflect on, and something to learn.

I call them nuggets of knowledge—small ideas that make you stop and think.

Because sometimes you don’t need a complete life overhaul.

You need one thought.

One different perspective.

One decision.

One action forward.

And that smallest change can eventually create an impact much bigger than you imagined.

That’s what I want this next chapter of Break It Forward Performance to represent.

Run Your Race

So, at 47, I’m still running.

But I’m running with a different understanding of what the race actually means.

At 10 years old, I was an athlete.

At 47, I still am.

The difference is that today I understand the greatest performance isn’t simply about how fast you run, how far you go, or where you finish.

It’s about who you become while you’re running your race.

Here’s to 47.

Here’s to more.

And here’s to discovering how far one small action can take you.

Continue the journey with me here on Substack and on TikTok and Instagram as I share stories about running, fitness, mindset, leadership, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.

Break. Move. Rise.

One Action Forward. 🦋

— Anjel