A little more than five year ago I made a decision to stop saying "no" or “I can’t” and to embrace new challenges head on. So when a friend asked me if I'd be interested in doing a triathlon, I said “yes” and joined a local triathlon club that day. I completed eight triathlons that first year. When I completed my first triathlon with an open water swim, the moment I crossed that first finish line, I felt like an athlete. I learned in that moment that my potential had only been limited by my imagination. I felt powerful and limitless, and that is a feeling that kept me coming back for more.

I really enjoy my time on the bike. It is probably my favorite leg of the race. I love passing people on the bike. I can’t help it, I’m super competitive, and that is just the best feeling of catching up to someone and then knowing they are now behind me. I like to always act as if they are just inches from overtaking me again so that I never relax and keep pushing. I think that my swim is where I’ve focused a lot of my attention for improvement. While it is the shortest portion of a triathlon, it’s so frustrating to get out of the water last and try to make it up that time on the bike. I’ve made so much progress in swimming that it’s motivated me to keep pushing myself. I’m no longer one of the last out of the water; I’m a solid mid-pack swimmer.

By the time we’re running, we’re all hot, even if I’m the only one being asked. One of the benefits of being covered is sun protection. It certainly keeps you safer and your skin temperature cooler. However, in a humid environment, the extra fabric can feel restrictive at times. Every year, my gear gets better as I try to find the coolest, moisture-wicking and hydrodynamic clothing possible. I’ve got my tri kit down to just two pieces after finally designing a custom kit. I’m sure I will continue to adjust as better tech fabric [becomes] available.

Not at all. I used to think that you were either born athletic or you weren’t. I remember taking almost 20 minutes to complete the one mile test in high school. My coach just looked at me disappointingly each trip around the track. He literally shook his head. I believed that I “couldn’t” run, and I wasn’t a runner. I believed it and I lived that belief. If my 16-year-old self could see me now, she’d be completely shocked! And my coach … well, he probably knew what took me two decades to learn: With a limitless mindset, you have limitless potential.

Haute Hijab is a company that understand Muslim women. They know that we don’t all have the same story, and they’ve designed a sports hijab line with that in mind. They understand that we are already out there putting in the work, doing amazing things, so they put in the research and technology to help us do it more comfortably. There is so much to love about this.

One of the biggest frustrations for me is after seven-plus hours of wearing a hijab; it starts to feel restrictive, hot and uncomfortable. I don’t want to constantly think about my hijab.

The new hijab line makes me forget I have a hijab on. It is so lightweight and comfortable that I can literally wear it all day. That is so important to me, because no matter what activity I’m doing, I’m usually doing it for hours and not minutes. Being comfortable and cool is the most important thing to me.

I really love the criss-cross because it has really good coverage in the front and back. That makes me feel like I won’t have issues with inadvertently becoming uncovered with a lot of movement. It is also so comfortable, I easily forgot I was wearing it. While I’m usually focused on fit and function, I’d have to say this hijab looked so beautiful on me! I hadn’t even known that was an option. Fit, function and fashion.

My hair is not 100 percent natural, I do straighten it twice a year (instead of every eight weeks). My hair is extremely thick, long, curly and wavy. It takes many hours for it to air dry. Wearing a sports hijab made of synthetic materials means that my hair stays damp a lot after hours of training and sweating. Many sports hijabs don’t allow enough airflow for my hair to dry, and it starts to have a mildew-like smell because of this. I rinse it with witch hazel in order to keep it smelling fresh.

Many times, women tell me there are two things that keep them from working out consistently or even trying to work out: finding the confidence to workout knowing all eyes will be on them and finding the time to workout.

Fitness is a gift that you give to yourself, but it also benefits those around you. It is your duty to make this important time for yourself. Just as some of us have meetings on the calendar, we have to schedule time for ourselves.

We give a lot of ourselves everyday: work, family, school, helping friends; we must prioritize our own health and fitness in order to better accomplish all that is asked of us in a given day. Once you’ve decided that this is important to you and you’ve made your plan to get fit and be consistent, don’t let anyone stand in your way. You are at the gym, on the track, on the street and in the pool for you and how it makes you a better version of yourself for those around you. If curious eyes stare, be kind but show them what real power and dedication looks like.

Anything is possible with a limited mindset. Never sell yourself short. You are capable of amazing things; the first step is to believe it then you can achieve it.