How finding my "why" turned fear into fuel
This week I’m continuing the story I began last week of how I went from completely inactive to running a half-marathon, and how it transformed not just my physical health, but my mindset, business, and my belief in what’s possible.
gLast time I shared how I started moving again, through an e-bike, beginner’s tennis, and gentle strength training with my PT. Today, I want to share what happened when the idea of running a half-marathon first entered the picture...
Building Momentum (Imperfectly)
I started weight training around June 2024, but I was highly inconsistent at first. My body took days to recover, even with a gentle, beginner-friendly plan. I hadn’t yet built a routine, so I just showed up sporadically and struggled to maintain a rhythm.
But even considerably imperfect effort started to pay off.
My recovery time improved, I craved more nutritious foods, and by August, I was training once a week, sometimes twice. That alone helped me gather enough momentum to start noticing real progress. My confidence grew. And as I continued training (alongside cycling and tennis), something inside me truly started to shift.
When a Coach Plants a New Belief
One day, while we were training, Ilona (my brilliant PT) mentioned she was going to run the London Marathon. I was in awe. Even though I was finally exercising again, running still felt impossible, especially with chronic tendonitis in both feet since 2017.
I replied, 'Maybe one day I’ll manage a 5k parkrun without pain.' Even that statement seemed far-fetched.
She looked at me and said:
'I reckon you could run a half-marathon next spring.'
I laughed out loud. I genuinely thought she was joking. But she wasn’t.
'You don’t realise how strong you’re getting. Your legs are building strength. There’s no reason you couldn’t do it.'
I was in total shock. That moment planted a seed. Part of me thought: No way.
But another part of me whispered: Maybe… I actually could...
A Powerful Why
In 2023, I started following a brilliant woman on Instagram named Marrianne, founder of the Rooprai Spinal Trust (@rs_trust). She sustained a severe spinal cord injury 20 years ago and lost the ability to move below the shoulders.
Despite that, she exercises daily and shares how physiotherapy and regular physical activity has helped give her a sense of purpose, independence, and has hugely improved her physical abilities and optimised her mental health.
Her and her lovely partner Andy co-founded the RST to support those with severe spinal cord injury to access life-changing physiotherapy. Marrianne regularly shares videos of her awe-inspiring workouts despite only having use of her head, neck, and shoulder muscles. I was in absolute awe when I first came across her and she has served as a huge source of inspiration.
One day, around 12 months later, I serendipitously ran into her right outside my house. I introduced myself and thanked her for inspiring me so deeply. We became good friends, and she continues to be a huge source of strength in my life.
Then it hit me.
What if I ran the half-marathon for the Rooprai Spinal Trust?
I got goosebumps just thinking about it.
I messaged Andy and asked if I could run the 2025 London Landmarks Half-Marathon in April 2025, in support of RST. He said yes immediately, registered me for the event and sent me a t-shirt. I was officially in!
It was September 2024. I hadn’t run more than 1–2km in over seven years. But now I had something more powerful than motivation - I had a purposeful mission.
Business & Life Lessons from This Phase
1. 'You can’t read the label from inside the bottle.' More often than not, we simply can’t see our own full potential. We’re too close to our fears, insecurities, and limiting beliefs.
It was Ilona’s belief in me - seeing what I couldn’t yet see, that changed everything. This is why having mentors, coaches, supportive communities and supportive social circles is so essential. They hold the vision for us until we can hold it ourselves.
This is one of the things I love the most about being a business coach. I can see my clients' potential before they can see it themselves, and the journey of helping them discover it and realise it is incredibly energising and fulfilling.
Reflection: Who are the coaches, mentors and cheerleaders in your life that help you see things from a fresh perspective and invite you to grow into your full potential?
2. Imperfect action still counts.
I didn’t start with a perfect training plan. I was inconsistent, tired, and figuring it out as I went. I was full of fears and self-doubt. But I kept going.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, but done is better than perfect. Showing up, even messily, builds momentum far more than waiting to do it 'right.'
Reflection: Where are you holding back because you don’t feel ready or ‘good enough’? Where is perfectionism keeping you stuck?
3. 'Start with why.' - Simon Sinek
When I committed to run for a cause bigger than myself, it unlocked a new level of energy, resilience and purpose.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just doing this for me. I was doing it for people who would benefit from every pound I raised. That WHY gave me more strength than any training plan or self-driven benefit ever could.
Reflection: What’s your BIG WHY? What purpose, bigger than yourself, drives your goals and the person you want to become?
I’ll see you next week for Part 3, where I’ll share what training looked like in the lead-up to race day, and how I overcame a storm of setbacks (including food poisoning!) to cross the finish line.
Wishing you a purposeful and powerful week ahead,
With love,
Marcela
💭 Quote of the week:
'He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.' - Friedrich Nietzsche
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Dr Marcela Aguirre
Helping Brilliant Women Solopreneurs Gain the Know-How & Confidence to Build and Scale a Sustainable One-Person Business | ICF Certified Coach | Doctor | Ex-Military Officer | 1:1 | Group Coaching & Workshops | Speaker
