What does Endurance mean to you?
By: Simbi Foundation
Tags: Simbi Foundation, Miles For Meaning, Competition, Running, Endurance

What does Endurance mean to you?

This month, we’re thinking about our Miles for Meaning challenge. We’ll be walking, running, hiking, rolling, or jogging every day throughout March, tracking our miles and earning points for Simbi Foundation!

We’re competing to win $25,000 to install another of our BrightBoxes in Uganda’s Bidibidi refugee camp.

What is a BrightBox, you ask? Great question!

If you like the sound of our BrightBox innovations or just need a little workout motivation, why not join us? Download the Kilter app and follow these simple sign-up steps.

To help us get into the right mindset for the challenge ahead, we asked a few Simbians who are already competing about their previous experiences with endurance:

In the spirit of long-distance running, we’d love to hear about a time in your life that tested your endurance. What happened, and how did you overcome it?

Here’s what they said —

Tara

Tara Serena, Communication & Marketing Coordinator

“When I was still living in Bali, I was constantly overwhelmed. I was busy with a job, running a t-shirt brand, planning my next steps with university, and moving to Canada all by myself. I was mentally burnt out, and with barely any free time I decided to join a boxing club to challenge myself physically, even though this meant more energy and effort to train daily. However, the motivation and excitement of improving my physical health with a supportive team helped me stay positive and productive with my other responsibilities, stress-free! Testing my physical endurance only made me realize how connected our mind and body are, and that I was capable of doing more than I imagined. I had more control over my mood and my work, which has helped me handle many stressful situations to this day!”

Joe

Joe, Blog Coordinator

“When I moved to Canada, I had to work two jobs to pay the bills. I was tired most days and began to dread time off, because all I did was think about the next deadline. But instead of looking for more free time, I decided to take on extra responsibility by volunteering my skills for Simbi Foundation. Even though this meant more effort, the chance to be part of a meaningful project helped me to stay positive and energized. Two years later, my work-week looks completely different—but I’m still hanging around at Simbi Foundation!”

Ran

Ran, Director of Global Operations

“When the Simbi Foundation team initiated operations in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement it was an exciting venture, with months of planning for a successful TRIP. It required the coordination of many elements to ensure a smooth initiation and installation of the BrightBox, along with kick-starting our Randomized Control Trials, which we’d use to monitor and evaluate activities in the months to come.

But, when you’re in the field, there are always unanticipated realities that months of planning cannot overcome. New issues required sleepless nights and deep integration and coordination with the situation in our hands. When one receives handfuls of problems to solve, there’s often an urge to just drop them and run. But, with the motivation and inspiration of the team around me—and the commitment so tangible in our new partnered-community—I was energized to problem-solve and work with our talented teammates.

We not only overcame every issue, but turned each problem into a solution benefiting our existing partnered-communities. This required more effort than I thought I had in me, but being surrounded by wildly talented and motivated individuals with different perspectives and skill-sets, I was energized knowing that everything was possible. And what a success it was — not only in seeing Twajiji Primary School and the surrounding community thrive and benefit through our joint-solutions, but also kickstarting a successful partnership with the UNHCR which has only proven to support in scaling the organization and our impact!”

BONUS question!

Give us your best workout motivation tip. Whether you’re a gym rat, all-weather athlete, or couch yogi, what’s something that helps you break a sweat?

Tara: “A HIIT workout and a good playlist is my go-to! A HIIT workout doesn’t require much time, increases your heart rate, and will definitely break a sweat. Start with simple workouts, go at your own pace, then progress when you’re ready! During your workout, play your favorite upbeat playlist to keep yourself in the zone and energized. Music is the good kind of distraction!”

Joe: “15 minutes, even 10, is enough time for a legit workout. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is perfect for people with packed schedules because it targets key muscle groups and increases heart rate in the minimum amount of time. There are hundreds of great HIIT videos on YouTube to choose from, which is perfect if (like me) you find repeating exercises boring.”

Ran: “Stretch with intention! Everyone has 5 minutes to stretch — we spend so much time sitting — especially these days. Taking the time to give your body what it needs — to shake out those cracks and feel the power of your limbs with a lunge, backstretch, neck roll, butterfly stretch, or a down dog. Your body will thank you!”