# @shareefa_j on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CxV08bKNkh1
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/63587649-shareefa-j-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e019a0dd24.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-18T17:10:28.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Shareefa J (@shareefa_j) — https://gondola.cc/shareefa_j

## Caption

🏅Four years, three challenges, and one London Classics medal. 🎉  I’m now officially one of only 5000 people in the classics hall of fame 🥹😱

It's been a journey filled with ups & downs, but I wouldn't change a thing. 🏊🏼‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️ 

From training for the London Marathon twice to conquering a 100-mile bike ride and swimming 3.2km in open water, even though I couldn't swim more than 10 meters just a few years ago.

🌊 Overcoming my fear of open water, finding the right gear (which has been one of the biggest challenges as a size 18 woman with Afro hair) & facing judgment in fitness spaces as a curvy woman – it has all been part of the process. 

But this medal reminds me that sport is for everyBODY & fitness isn't one size fits all. 

❤️ Along the way, I've made incredible friends, received acts of kindness from strangers & had countless moments of encouragement. It's a testament to the power of community in pushing our limits.

My body's appearance has become the least important factor in this journey. 

What truly matters is how this medal kept me going during difficult moments with my mental health, motivated me during the lockdowns, encouraged me to learn new skills, helped me discover friendships I don’t think I would have ever known if it weren’t for our shared love of sport, fundraised for life-saving charities, created some of the most incredible memories that I'll carry with me forever & even encouraged some of you to get into sport! 

🌟 If you're reading this and thinking, "I would love to do that," or "I wish I could," then believe me when I tell you, YOU CAN. 🌈 I've learned this from inspiring individuals I've met on this path such as teamkerr_ni blackgirlsdorunuk  haroonmota man_vs_fridge rhinoboychris bowelbabe🪽 limitless_em bryonygordon and so many more incredible people. 

I hope this post reminds you to go out there and chase your own medals, dreams, and adventures. 

Thank you for supporting me along the way, and thank you to londonmarathon for all the incredible work you do. ❤️❤️

✨ #LondonClassicsAchieved #FitnessForEveryBODY #DreamsCanBeRealized #mentalhealth #moveformentalhealth #curvyfitness #curvyfits #endurancesport

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## Tags

moveformentalhealth, fitnessforeverybody, dreamscanberealized, curvyfits, curvyfitness, mentalhealth, londonclassicsachieved, endurancesport

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