In June 2025, a Kenyan runner named Faith Kipyegon did something incredible. She ran the fastest mile ever recorded by a woman in history. She finished in 4 minutes, 6.42 seconds. Everyone watching was in shock. It was a moment that should have made the world stop and celebrate her, but then, they said, “It doesn’t count.”
You're probably wondering why? This is because she ran with a male pacemaker that is someone who runs ahead or beside you to help keep your speed. That small detail broke the rules. So even though she gave the world something no one had ever done before, the people in charge of records said,It's not official.
Imagine giving your all, breaking a barrier, making history and still being told,
“It’s not enough.”
This is why Faith’s story matters, This is because when you’re young, this happens more than you’d think. You show up, you try hard. You pour your whole heart into something , a pitch, an audition, a job, a big dream and you still get told it’s not your time, or you didn’t follow the “right” process, or that your win isn’t real yet and it hurts. It’s exhausting.
You start to ask yourself, “So what’s the point? but here’s what Faith's story teaches us, "Do it anyway". You may not always have the stage,you may not always have the support and sometimes, you may not even get credit for what you’ve done, but your effort still matters. Your “unofficial” wins, the ones no one claps for are just as powerful. They build your pace,they build your confidence,they build you.
Faith’s story is not just about running. It’s about every young person trying to prove they belong even in rooms that weren’t made for them yet. It’s about not waiting for permission to be excellent. Even though her record isn’t “official,” the world still watched. We still remember and her run still made history.
So next time you feel like your effort doesn’t count, or your work is going unnoticed, remember Faith. Show up anyway. Do it anyway.
This is because being young isn’t about waiting to be chosen.
It’s about choosing yourself again and again and just like Faith, you’ll leave a mark
even if they say it doesn’t count.
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