I used to think that getting into the London Marathon through the ballot was pure luck, until the morning I opened my email while nervously waiting at the dentist for a filling. I must have read that email a dozen times, screenshotting the "You're in!" message and sending it to my closest friends, family, and partner with the caption: Oh sh!t.

From that moment, the word lucky kept circling in my mind. People have always said I was lucky. Lucky to grow up in a loving home with both parents still together, lucky to have a good job, lucky to own my own home. But I’ve never considered myself lucky. Fortunate? Yes. Fortunate to have parents who pushed me, supported me, and stood by me through every challenge. But what people don’t see are the silent battles, the struggles behind the scenes that shape a person’s journey. That’s why I’ve chosen to run for Mind, because mental health battles are often invisible, yet they are some of the hardest to fight.

840,000 people entered the ballot for the 2025 London Marathon. Only 2% got in. Was I lucky? Or is this my time? My time to prove to myself what I’m capable of. My time to honor those who have stood by me and make them proud.

I threw myself into training, following a strict 16-week plan, adjusting my work hours, cleaning up my diet, and taking care of my body. Five weeks in, I suffered a patellar tendon injury that sidelined me for four weeks. I fought my way back with rehab and persistence, but those weeks without training hit me hard. Those four weeks took a toll on me, not just physically but mentally.

Fitness has always been my outlet, my therapy. Without it, I struggled. And that’s another reason I chose Mind because I know firsthand how much our mental resilience is tested when life doesn’t go as planned. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and too many people suffer in silence.

I may not cross the finish line in the time I originally hoped for, but I now see things differently. Getting in was an achievement. Taking part is an achievement. And running 26.2 miles crossing the finish line no matter how long it takes, will be the ultimate testament to resilience, determination, with the unwavering support of those who have supported me to get here.