shanté Ditches her doubts and powers for the finish line.
Shanté ditches her doubts and powers for the finish line.
Shanté shares the unexpected healing power of playing in the Mud at the Warrior Race.
Shanté shares the unexpected healing power of playing in the Mud at the Warrior Race.
The Unthinkable at 15
The Unthinkable at 15
When Shanté crossed the finish line of her first Warrior Race earlier this year, soaked, muddy, and beaming, it wasn’t just a fitness milestone; it was, in fact, a victory five years in the making. In 2020, at 15 years old, her world turned upside down. She suddenly became critically ill.
“I was a healthy, young, athletic 15-year-old. I never imagined I’d become so ill. For a moment, my body failed me. My lungs collapsed, and my heart became enlarged. My organs began to fail. I was tethered to machines and dependent on a ventilator, and it felt like I was drowning from the inside out. The doctors told my parents, friends, and family to say their goodbyes, but I told myself I was stronger than this, that I would rise above this, and that I had to! Twenty-one days later, against every expectation, I walked out of the hospital with battle scars to show for it!”
When Shanté crossed the finish line of her first Warrior Race earlier this year, soaked, muddy, and beaming, it wasn’t just a fitness milestone; it was, in fact, a victory five years in the making. In 2020, at 15 years old, her world turned upside down. She suddenly became critically ill.
“I was a healthy, young, athletic 15-year-old. I never imagined I’d become so ill. For a moment, my body failed me, my lungs collapsed, my heart became enlarged, and my organs began to fail. I was tethered to machines and dependent on a ventilator, and it felt like I was drowning from the inside out. The doctors told my parents, friends, and family to say their goodbyes, but I told myself I was stronger than this, that I would rise above this, and that I had to! Twenty-one days later, against every expectation, I walked out of the hospital with battle scars to show for it!”
Entering Warrior Territory
Entering Warrior Territory
Fast forward to this year, and Shanté, now 21 years old, signed up for her very first Rookie race at the Warrior Race. With lingering lung issues and uncertainty clouding her confidence, the decision to enter wasn’t easy. Still, she showed up, faced her fears, and ultimately finished.
“I was completely out of my comfort zone and scared that I wouldn’t be able to finish the 5km Rookie Race or complete the obstacles. But I did, and with each obstacle, I smiled, knowing: One Down.”
Every warrior has that one obstacle that pushes them to the edge of fear or stirs childhood memories. For Shanté, the Mud Monster did exactly that.
“The Mud Monster made me feel like a little kid again, playing in the mud, carefree, with no problems or fears. It helped me forget all my worries! Facing some of the obstacles on my own left me feeling strong and fearless. I remember standing at the top of the Tower obstacle, scared and exhausted, just trying to summon the courage to jump and forcing myself not to let my mind wander. Then I leapt, and before I knew it, my feet hit the water, and it was done! I did it! Another obstacle checked off the list. The support system I had that day was incredible, and I crossed the finish line feeling like a true warrior!”
Do you have a story that screams grit, heart, and mud? Tell us about it here.
Feeling inspired by Shante’s story? Join the action at the next Warrior Race on 27 September at Riversands Farm Village.
Fast forward to this year, and Shanté, now 21 years old, signed up for her very first Rookie race at the Warrior Race. With lingering lung issues and uncertainty clouding her confidence, the decision to enter wasn’t easy. Still, she showed up, faced her fears, and ultimately finished.
“I was completely out of my comfort zone and scared that I wouldn’t be able to finish the 5km Rookie Race or complete the obstacles. But I did, and with each obstacle, I smiled, knowing: One Down.”
Every warrior has that one obstacle that pushes them to the edge of fear or stirs childhood memories. For Shanté, the Mud Monster did exactly that.
“The Mud Monster made me feel like a little kid again, playing in the mud, carefree, with no problems or fears. It helped me forget all my worries! Facing some of the obstacles on my own left me feeling strong and fearless. I remember standing at the top of the Tower obstacle, scared and exhausted, just trying to summon the courage to jump and forcing myself not to let my mind wander. Then I leapt, and before I knew it, my feet hit the water, and it was done! I did it! Another obstacle checked off the list. The support system I had that day was incredible, and I crossed the finish line feeling like a true warrior!”
Do you have a story that screams grit, heart, and mud? Tell us about it here.
Feeling inspired by Shante’s story? Join the action at the next Warrior Race on 27 September at Riversands Farm Village.