Hey 👋🏼

Thanks for stopping by my JustGiving page!

I'm not sure about you, but every morning I count my blessings: from turning on a tap, to opening a fridge with food, having a roof over my head and not being stuck in a war zone - many of us are truly privileged.

The sad thing is that this is not the reality for millions of others around the world.

It’s important to really acknowledge their hardship, to be immensely grateful for what we have and to show compassion for our fellow human brothers and sisters.

From what’s happening in Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine to the poverty, famine and warzones across Africa and the rise in natural disasters across the world - I cannot help but be affected by the suffering of those less fortunate who end up in unimaginably dreadful situations for no fault of their own.

One charity that I have truly admired over the past several years, helping in those devestating situations, are Doctors Without Borders AKA Médecins Sans Frontières.

They are the world's leading medical humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics and natural or man-made disasters, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

My angel of a missus is a doctor here in The Netherlands and I’m always in total admiration for her care for others and how she works her cotton socks off, skillfully navigating stressful situations, to help those in need.

Now imagine those other selfless souls who take their medical skills and bravery and go and risk everything to travel into these war torn and disaster struck places where people need help the most - give them all a cape already because they are all real life super heroes!!!

I wish that this world can spin the right way around and that the few power hungry and deluded leaders, that subject millions of people to agony and devestation, could just disappear already. That children don't have to starve and can get access to great education, medicine and loving environments. That we can make better efforts to fight poverty and injustice for a more equal world. Big wishes! But imagine...

Every year, I donate to a bunch of charities, something my mum encouraged me to do since when I was a kid. Giving just makes you feel good!

This year, I want to do something different inspired by the loved ones in my life and these tragedies that we see happening around us in the world.

For over a decade I have been drinking heavily, smoking a lot, partying like crazy and doing zero exercise. Not the best of mixes! This all changed changed earlier this year.

People who know me in real life won't exactly call me a giant, a hobbit would be more precise.

However, I weighed in at a whopping 95 kilos...

Yes, shocking, I know.

Something had to be done about it!

I feel that I’m not exactly getting younger and if I don’t do something about it now, it will be too late...

Since last May I started hitting the gym every day Monday-Friday. At the end of September, I bought my first road bike, did my first ever run on October 20th and started swimming soon after. I went all-in on a colossal fitness renaissance and now cram in over 10 hours of exercise a week.

All despite a ski accident last December which left my knee pretty messed up.

Through the perseverance, I'm feeling the fittest I have been in a decade and now weighing in at 75 kilos and extremely proud of this crazy accomplishment - it's all in the mind!

But this is only the beginning....

Given this newfound motivation, I am signing up for the IRONMAN 5150 Triathlon in Westfriesland (NL) in June 2025 and I'd like to use this as an opportunity to raise money to assist the work of all those superheroes at MSF/Doctors Without Borders.

UPDATE: Besides the initial challenge above, I have only gone and added more events to the calendar:

- May 4th: Half Marathon in Limerick, Ireland

- June 22nd: Ironman 5150 WestFriesland, Netherlands

- 30th August: Dutch Triathlon Series Oudekerk, Netherlands (olympic distance)

- 28th September: Run2Day Half Marathon Haarlem, Netherlands

- 18th October: Ironman 70.3 Cascais, Portugal (all roads lead to this and I'm sooo excited for it!)

No matter where you're from, and what your beliefs are, how can you not be in awe of what these amazing souls at Doctors without Borders do to help our other fellow humans in need?

I would be ever so grateful if you could donate, whatever you are comfortable with, towards this great cause - I promise, you'll feel good about it :)

From this page, you can follow my fitness progress as I have connected my Strava (if you’re also on there then you can connect with me here) and you can check out my site and photography here.

I'll be dropping occasional updates on this page and don't hesitate to leave a comment or share something inspirational to help egg me on 🙌🏼

Wish you and yours a 2025 full of much health, happiness and love.

And let's all remember to count our blessings, show gratitude and help our neighbours as we are all on this journey of life together.

A beautiful age-old African philosophy and word that sums this up is Ubuntu which essentially means "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others".

BIG LOVE, TARIQ ❤️

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