How to start your fitness journey
Running isn’t just about fitness. It’s about finding yourself, building discipline, and saying “yes” to growth. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Hannah Pangilinan to talk about how we both fell in love with running, how it shaped our lives, and why the sport has become a powerful metaphor for faith, resilience, and community.
Lessons we got from running
1. Start small, stay consistent
You don’t need to run a marathon right away. Start with short, manageable runs and build your way up. Consistency is more important than distance or speed.
2. Discipline beats motivation
Motivation comes and goes, but discipline keeps you moving even on the days you don’t feel like running. It’s about learning to commit and show up for yourself.
3. Find your why
Running isn’t just physical; it’s mental and spiritual too. Hannah shares how she uses running as a form of prayer and reflection, turning it into time well spent with God
4. Community makes you stronger
Surround yourself with people who will run alongside you (literally and figuratively). Hannah shares how starting a run club with friends eventually grew into Just One Fun Run with thousands of participants.
5. Running is like faith
Just like faith, running is personal. You don’t do it because everyone else is. You do it because it brings you closer to who you’re meant to be.
“It’s like faith. You can’t run somebody else’s race. You have to do it because you chose it for yourself.”
Encouragement for beginners
1. Don’t wait to feel ready, just start with what you can.
2. Run at your own pace. It’s not a competition.
3. Celebrate small wins. Finishing a 1K is just as important as finishing a marathon.
4. Listen to your body. Rest, hydrate, and recover.
5. Stay grateful. Running is a privilege, not a punishment.
How to Balance fitness with life
1. Make running part of your lifestyle
Fit it into your day the way you would with work or prayer. It’s a priority, not an afterthought.
2. Don’t compare your journey
Everyone has different starting points. Focus on your growth, not someone else’s pace.
3. Invest in yourself wisely
Good shoes, proper training, and time to rest are investments in your health and future.
Why running rewards you in the long run
Running teaches you that the real reward isn’t just crossing the finish line. It’s becoming the person who never gave up. Whether that’s building resilience, deepening your faith, or simply enjoying the gift of movement, the lessons go beyond the road.
“Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And with faith, community, and discipline, you can go farther than you ever thought possible.”