I'm thankful for my incredible trainer, Christiana, who has shown me something truly powerful: that recovery and strengthening can happen side by side. Her wisdom and support have transformed the way I approach challenges-not just in training, but in life.

In just a few weeks, I'll be joining her for her Spartan comeback after she bravely overcame an injury this year. It's a race l never imagined I'd attempt in a million years. And yet, here I am

-training for it.

When my knees started hurting recently, 1 realized I had pushed myself too hard. I was enjoying running so much that I didn't want to stop. In the past, pain like this would have halted everything. I would've quit, waited to feel "fully healed," and maybe never started again.

But Christiana taught me a new way. She showed me that healing doesn't mean stopping-it means adapting. I learned to treat my injuries, shift my focus, and keep moving forward. And this morning, I woke up with no pain in my knees. I felt stronger than ever. I hadn't stopped training. I hadn't given up.

I cried.

Not because of the pain-but because it was gone.

Because I realized: I can do this- we rise by lifting others.