Why Jolien Boumkwo Is the Ultimate Gym Inspiration

Because imagine if what you were facing down wasn’t a fitness apparatus, but a series of literal hurdles getting jumped at unbelievable speed by world-class racers on every side.

That’s what Belgian shot-putter Jolien Boumkwo experienced Saturday on the European Team Championships track meet in Krakow, Poland. Boumkwo is a member of the Belgian track team who competes in strength events including the shot-put, hammer throw, and discus—not sprinting or hurdling.

However the Belgian team found itself with no hurdler to compete within the 100-meter hurdles as a consequence of injuries, which meant the team would lose out on the 2 points gained by competing within the event. In a track meet, every point counts toward the full, and Belgium hoped to do well enough when it comes to total points to keep up its standing as a Division 1 team within the European Team Championships.

So facing event disqualification and a lack of points, Boumkwo raised her hand to step in. She would race the 100-meter hurdles, despite it being decidedly not her sport.

As seen in a video of the event, the hurdlers take off like race horses out of the gate. Hurdlers maintain their speed and do incredible mid-air split leaps to omit the obstacles. And getting over those hurdles is not any easy feat. They clock in at two feet nine inches, which makes them a challenge to clear at any speed.

Boumkwo also starts running on the starting gun, but when she gets to the primary hurdle, she hops over it one bent leg at a time. She immediately falls behind but she keeps on going, hurdle after hurdle, until she crosses the finish line—and is greeted with high fives from fellow racers.

Sadly, the 2 points Boumkwo got for competing weren’t enough for Team Belgium to keep up its division status. Nevertheless, the story has nonetheless captured the world’s attention and gone viral. Seeing someone step up for the great of her team, doing something outside of her expertise and luxury zone, and never doing it perfectly but still ending it—on a world stage, no less—might resonate with anyone who has volunteered to assist cover for a coworker who’s out, taken on recent task for the PTA, or filled in as outfielder in a kickball rec league.

For “hand raisers,” setting boundaries along with your time and availability is perhaps crucial to keep up mental health and wellbeing. But every every so often, possibly we will take pleasure in the heart-warming spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship on display.

Your solo gym time may not be about contributing to the great of the team, however it is about feeling good and pushing yourself—while not worrying about what you seem like to the skin world. Which is why Boumkwo might function such an apt role model on your fitness goals and gym inspiration. Trying something recent within the gym, fitness studio, or on a walk or run across the block, is not about doing that thing perfectly. It’s about giving it your best effort.

So the following time you’re wondering in case you can tackle that recent exercise, piece of kit, or rep or weight goal, let Jolien Boumkwo be your gym inspiration. Consider her staring down those hurdles—and provides it a shot.