Over The Line

08/05/2023

So how did your bank holiday Monday start?

Mine started with a dip in the sea at 5am.

02/04/2023

After a turbulent week both mentally and emotionally it would have been easy for me to write this weekend off and stay at home and wait for Monday to roll round. Now we all know how easy we find it for our minds to talk us out of doing something that’s hard or challenging for a far easier option. I was doing it myself this morning when I woke up “get your arse up and go for a run Anwar” “nah! It’s Sunday mate stay in bed, you’ve had a hard week” I had a front row seat to this inner battle between Active Anwar and Lazy Anwar for about 3 hours until i dragged myself up and out the door and like always I feel incredible for doing it.

Whatever we do in life is down us as individuals and we have to live by the decisions we make
had I not gone out today I’d have felt miserable, I’d have sat at home and been stuck in my own head mulling over the events of last week, I’d have eaten and slept the day and I’d have been annoyed with myself tomorrow for wasting my weekend. Instead I feel on top of the world, I’ve mentally dealt with last week and buried it and tonight I’ll sleep like a baby.

I can’t stress enough about the importance of exercise and the positive impact it has on both mental and physical health and wellbeing. you don’t have to go far to feel the benefits. Even a 20 min walk around the block where you live is enough to release the endorphins and lift you in mind, body and spirt.

Give it a go this week and message me and let me how you get on and how it made you feel.

Have a great week folks

22/03/2023

Have you ever wanted to do something that’s out of your comfort zone,only to have your dream, excitement and confidence crushed when you tell people your plans only for them to respond negatively with comments such as “you won’t be able to do that” or “you’re not fit enough” or even worse just laugh at you.

Remember! The only opinion that counts in life is your own!

When people share negative opinions like that ,in reality they aren’t saying you can’t do it. They are subconsciously projecting their own fears and lack of self belief to be able to do what you plan to do themselves.

Until you learn to use people’s negative comments and opinions as fuel to feed the fire within to succeed the only way to reach your goal is to move, train and work in silence.

21/03/2023

20/03/2023

My name is Anwar Akchich and since losing my beautiful Mum to cancer, 7 years ago, in 2016, I have been on two journeys; the first journey was to the darkest depths of depression that took everything from me and the second journey was my fight back to sanity and normality.

Although both journeys were incredibly different there was one common and continuous factor throughout the the both of them… EXERCISE!
When my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer I wanted to do something to show my gratitude and appreciation for St Wilfrids Hospice and Macmillan Cancer support as they played a vital role in providing my Mum and family with all the necessary comfort, care and support during the final few weeks of her life.

I have completed numerous races and challenges over the years, the most gruelling being, the 100km South Coast Challenge that I ran and completed just two months after taking up running in 2016 and finishing 149th out of 1600 runners. The double Beachy Head Marathon I completed in 2018. Anyone who has ran that race will tell you that running the Beachy Head Marathon once is hard enough, but I ran it twice in the same day; 40miles of which I ran with hypothermia. (I don’t recommend doing that! and had I of known that I had hypothermia, I’d have withdrawn as health and personal safety comes first, no matter what.) I am currently in training as I plan to swim from Brighton Pier to Eastbourne Pier, in aid of the charity - Children With Cancer Fund. I am proud of my achievements and how far I have come in spite of all adversity and hope you find my achievements inspiring.

Am I a naturally gifted runner? Absolutely not! When I took up running, I was close to 17st.
Am I a naturally, adept swimmer? Again, absolutely not! When I began swimming training, I could swim just enough, not to drown in an emergency.

I chose to take on these challenges because that’s exactly what they are… CHALLENGING!
As much as the drive for me revolves around fundraising, the primary reason is far more personal - I want to push myself and test my limits to see what I am truly capable of.

I want to be the best version of myself. Am I going to find that version of me coasting along at a nice steady pace with the sun on my back and a spring in my step, where everything is stacked in my favour? NO! I’m going to find that version of me, way, way, off the beaten track and out of my comfort zone. That version of me will be frozen cold and soaking wet yet still moving forwards with only one thing on my mind; getting OVER THE LINE and basking in the glory of knowing, I truly am made of the tough stuff and nothing I set my mind on, is impossible or beyond my reach. And I want that for you too!

So where do you come in to this?

Well, as a wise Uncle Ben once said to a young Peter Parker (Spider-Man)… “WITH GREAT POWER, COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY”.

So, as having an incredibly positive and focused mindset is basically as close to a superpower as a human can possess, I feel that it is my responsibility and also my desire to share this gift with others and help them unlock their true potential.

*How many of you have suffered hardship or loss and wanted to do something to regain some control of the situation? You can take some of the power back and achieve something, to feel you did your bit, fought your corner and made a difference.

*How many of you haven’t been able to realise or fulfil that dream because you didn’t know what to do or where to begin?

*How many of you, have been scared to try, out of fear of ridicule or have given up on the idea due to the negative reactions and unsupportive opinions of those around you?

*How many of you, feel you are unable to take on challenges, of any kind, due to struggles with mental or physical health?

I’m going to guess, a very high percentage of you reading this can relate to all four of the questions above. How about we change that? See, I don’t know about you, but I already believe in you. I know what can be achieved with a little bit of tweaking to your mindset and outlook and this is something I can help you with.

I will help you find a race or event most suited to you, put you in contact with the charity or fundraising organisation of your choice, help you set up a fundraising page and find sponsorship, as well as help you throughout your training and in turn, this will help you overcome any fears, silence any doubters and put you on the path to becoming your very own superhero and the best version of you.

My role is totally organic in your journey and there is no set plan. My involvement is 100% governed by you. If you just need me to be a positive voice of encouragement on the end of the phone or support you from the sidelines on your race day, then that’s what I’ll be. However, if you want me to walk every step of the way, right beside you, then that’s exactly where I’ll be too.

So, if this post resonates, please reach out and tell me all about you and your vision, how and why you want to make a difference, and let’s work together to get you OVER THE LINE.

What’s this going to cost you? All I require from you, is your energy, effort and commitment, but most importantly I want you to believe in yourself as much as I already do.

You’ve got nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

Anwar Akchich
Over The Line