One Step Further: Beyond Limits, Yet Within Reach
In 2018, my life was in motion. I was changing jobs, moving into a new apartment, and deeply in love. Everything was shifting, and instinctively, I knew it was time to grow. Not just professionally or emotionally, but physically and spiritually too.
After 15 years of heavy smoking, I made a life-altering decision — to reclaim my health. I laced up my shoes and took the first step: one lap around Gentofte Lake in Copenhagen. Just two kilometers. But back then? It felt like Everest.
The Power of Consistency
Those early runs were slow and breathless. But I kept showing up. Day after day, step by step, something started shifting. Consistency built confidence. And confidence sparked a dream:
“One day, I’ll run marathons and enjoy them.”
It wasn’t about competition. It was about expansion. Not proving something to the world, but becoming more of myself.
Rediscovering the Dream in Barcelona
Like many dreams, this one faded for a while. Until 2020, when I moved to Barcelona. One day, running along the beach, it returned. A quiet inner nudge.
But this time, it hit differently. I realized something profound: Dreams aren’t just dreams. They’re inner needs — signals from our core, calling us to evolve.
So, I restarted. One more kilometer. One more run. One more chance to rise. I celebrated even the smallest victories, especially on bad days. Because true success wasn’t in the distance or the pace. It was in the act of showing up. Rising above the noise.
Why the Athens Marathon?
When I pictured running my first marathon, only one place made sense:
The Authentic Marathon in Athens: the birthplace of the race. To me, it wasn’t just a course.
It was a symbol. A reconnection with my Greek roots. A nostalgic re-touch with my values and identity. A declaration of growth.
Training the Mind More Than the Body
I trained hard for six months. Physically, my body adapted. Slowly, but steadily.
But mentally? That’s where the real race happened.
“Will I finish?”
“I’m already 40, is this even realistic?”“What if I break down?”
“Should I walk or push harder?”“Let go of time?”
“Is it even worth it?”
These weren’t just marathon questions. They were life questions. And answering them built resilience I now carry in every aspect of my life, and in my coaching style.
The Finish Line: A Lesson in Perspective
I completed the Athens Marathon in 4 hours and 22 minutes. It was painful. It was beautiful. It was transformative.
Two moments still echo deeply within me:
Feeling the energy from others
Just before the 32nd kilometer, a brutal uphill stretch. Silence. No music. No chatter. Just breath: heavy, steady, determined. The quiet became a shared roar. That energy carried me to the top.
Feeling the energy from myself
On the last 1 kilometer, I was in pain, badly. But then I looked at my watch. Even if I slowed down, I would still meet my goal. At that point, I realized something essential:
Growth is not just about performance. It’s about presence.
So I slowed down. I smiled. I allowed myself to feel everything. That final stretch was pure “χαρμολύπη”, the Greek word for bittersweet joy.
The happiness of achieving the impossible.
The sadness of it not lasting forever.
What This Has to Do With You
This story isn’t just about running. It’s about change, purpose, and commitment, the very themes I work on with my coaching clients.
Maybe you’re standing at your starting line. Or maybe you’ve forgotten a dream. Or maybe, like me, you’re just trying to take one more step.
You don’t need to run a marathon. But what if you honored your own “inner need”? What if you said yes to growth, regardless of the outcome?
Let’s Chase What’s Possible — Together
I help individuals reconnect with their values, overcome internal barriers, and create meaningful, resilient lives. If this story stirred something inside you, maybe it’s your time.
