Touched lives

Deze foto trok mijn aandacht! Net zo hard als later al jouw inspirerende woorden mijn aandacht zouden trekken. Waar ik van hou is van mensen met passie, mensen met energie en mensen die durven! Jij hebt het allemaal! Heerlijk!  Dankjewel dat ik je mocht ontmoeten!

~ Ilse Jacobs – Belgium

Myrna we never met, but your positive energy and inspiration was one of the highlights of my decade

~ Elizabetta Camilleri – Malta

A vida é feita de desafios e obstáculos que todos sonhamos em superar. Os praticantes de triatlo percebem a exigência da modalidade e muitas vezes a motivação, a persistência e a regularidade que exige de cada um de nós enormes esforços. A inspiração, essa vem muitas vezes com outros atletas que vamos conhecendo e admirando. Foi assim que cheguei a uma atleta incrível, com uma força de vencer enorme e que me inspira todos os dias. Identifico-me com ela em muitos aspectos da minha vida, não só de atleta, mas como mulher, mãe, e da pessoa incrível que é. A idade não é um obstáculo para ela, mas sim uma mais valia na experência e lição de vida que daqui podemos tirar. Obrigada Myrna!!!

~ Ana Filipa Oliveira – Lisboa, Portugal

A couple of years ago during my internet research on endurance running for the over 55’s, I discovered Myrna Saliba. The beginnings of her own journey, were at a similar age to mine, however, with her diagnosis of osteoporosis, I discovered she had far more physical obstacles than I had, and this was so inspiring. I was in awe of her mental strength, her discipline and her constant discovery of the body’s coping mechanisms. She focused on the power of a positive mindset and what you can accomplish from it. Her example has encouraged me on my own journey as a long distance runner and late starter. I was someone who said they would never run a marathon, however, in 2018 I ran two, along with 20 milers, half marathons, 10km runs and 5km runs. And when the going got tough (which I can assure you it does) I can honestly say, I prayed for my Myrna strength. It worked. Running 26.2 miles or any race, has challenges, but the pain and the sweat is soon lost once you experience the high from self-achievement. Running has had a wonderful motivating impact on my life and Myrna has been my great mentor. Myrna began by inspiring her husband who journeys together with her in health and fitness and now she inspires thousands across the globe. My husband is also running with me now, which makes it so much more fun. The common expression, “age is just a number” rings true for us. I have never met Myrna in person, however, I consider her a friend. One who encourages, mentors and inspires through example.  Thank you Myrna for proving the body is capable of far more than many of us realise and it is never too late to rise to the challenge.

~ Linda Flintoff – United Kingdom

Je me souviens parfaitement de notre première rencontre avec Myrna. Cette année-là je ne participais pas au Ironman 70.3 de Mallorca, ma femme et moi profitions de ces moments magiques de veille de course, en mode spectateur.Le temps d’une photo, quelques mots échangés, et vous comprenez tout de suite que Myrna est une personne à part. Et lorsqu’elle nous a contacté qqs jours plus tard afin de prendre un peu plus de temps pour échanger sur le sport que nous pratiquons et ce mode de vie, j’ai été transporté et aurais pu écouter les résumés de ces courses pendant des heures. Myrna est une vraie source d’inspiration, elle m’a permis de comprendre qu’à 40 ans ma vie de triathlète IronMan ne faisait que commencer, que l’entraînement était terminé, et que j’allais pouvoir me donner les moyens de réaliser mes rêves de courses les plus fous !!! Myrna c’est un honneur pour moi de vous compter parmi les personnes qui me font avancer dans la vie ! MERCI !

~ Jeff Dor – France

I was fortunate enough to come across Myrna’s Instagram account a few years ago. As a 48 years old female in triathlon, finding sources of inspiration to model oneself after is an important task. I hit the jackpot finding Myrna. Accomplished, always setting new unbelievable goals, and never giving up both on herself and those she reaches out to help. I am truly thankful for her kindness and for showing me all that is possible in my future if I aim high and work hard.

~ Deanna Hamlyn – Canada.

I have always been a fan of endurance sports and a minor participant in a few events. About six months ago I also began a whole food/plant based diet. With that being part of my interests in life, I happened to find Myrna on Instagram. I began to follow her and her husband’s athletic adventures and they began to inspire me! I was amazed by their achievements. They do not let anything prevent them from achieving any goal they may set. Seeing them continue on, no matter the obstacles they may be facing has become motivational for me, because I face daily mobility issues due to severe arthritis caused by an autoimmune condition. Thus between their mantras of “never give up” and “food is medicine “, they have inspired both my wife (my wife has knee issues) and myself not to allow mobility issues to prevent us from being active and to use food as a method to help heal our medical conditions. We are truly grateful for the wonderful example they present to us, thank you Myrna!

~ S Larsen – USA

Myrna is one of the main reasons that I have been able to complete three marathons. Years ago I never dreamed that I would ever be able to run more than 20 minutes, but with Myrna’s encouragement and support I soon found myself at the start of a 5 km race in Montreal and then a 10 km one. To this day being able to complete my first 5 km race was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. Without Myrna I don’t know if I ever would have had the courage to believe that I could be a runner.   Myrna has also inspired me to help others become runners and because of her I have now coached two learn to run clinics for women. I know because of her that even as you progress in your own running it is still important to give back to the running community. Thank you for all that you do.

~ Kirsten Jordan – Canada

Over the 9 years of caring for Dominic, wondering if he would live, and trying to keep up with our other children I lost control of my own health. The battle to stop gaining weight, regain my energy and well-being had been lost, because I gave up. Then I met you and saw you train through all kinds of injuries and difficulties. I saw the way you ignore your age and keep your body strong and I caught a bit of that energy. Now my road to good health doesn’t look impossible. The changes have been slow and my weight hasn’t come off quickly but I stopped gaining. Now I spend more time walking and riding my bike and am trying to make better food choices. When I get discouraged I think of you Myrna and know I want to be beautiful again too.

~ Lorelei Lorenzano – USA

I have been following your athletic adventures online and I am just amazed at how far you’ve come. It’s awesome to see! I have signed up for the Ottawa half marathon myself, but I don’t think I’ll ever be the runner you are. When I head out on my long runs on Sundays I think back to that day at the Kent park track where you bet me that I could run half an hour straight. I was soooo proud!!!! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be loving running as much as I am now. Thank you for that.

~ Katherine Duckworth – Canada

I was inspired by your speech. I am thinking of picking up my paintbrush again as I’ve dreamed of becoming a famous artist. Thank you!

~ Tamara Al Pachachi – Bahrain

“I reached out to Myrna after reading about her training for the Boston Marathon. It was about training smarter, not just running long miles. I was new to long distance running and new to a method of running called the POSE method. Myrna not only shared her story with me but put together a detailed 18 week running program that lead to not just one, but 2 marathons. The training was varied and included stretching, nutritional ideas and even ankle strengthening exercises. Myrna was my “virtual” coach, encouraging me from Montreal Canada while I trained in Minneapolis, MN. The marathon experience for me revealed many aspects of my life journey; mentally, physically and spiritually. Without the assistance of Myrna I would have been hard pressed to make it to the starting line, much less the finish line. Myrna, I am deeply grateful to you and your gift of coaching to me. Continued success in your speaking engagements. Your passion is contagious.

~ Craig Waltho – USA