Hecklers, Harassers & Cat-Callers

Weekends often offer events and significant moments that we reflect on during the week. This past weekend did exactly that. Here's what happened... I went to bed early on Friday night because I had a long run🏃🏿‍♂️planned for Saturday morning. I was on the road by 5 sharp and barely 5 minutes into my run I had an encounter with club goers returning home. Hmmm. Ndipo bantu bakamba kuipa. “Iwe (insert expletives) utamanga kuti? Ukazi kumwa moba!” 😡 I don’t know about you but I don’t quite like being heckled so early in the morning! I was very tempted to respond but I resisted this impulse and kept it moving. So should you. I have no doubt that others have had unpleasant experiences with strangers on the road and in the gym. Ladies, you must be all too familiar with cat calling and unsavory commentary just because you walked out of your gate and started doing something. Gents, you likely have experienced being the butt of a joke and being openly provoked just because you’re trying to better yourself. I want to encourage everyone that has ever been discouraged to ignore the noise and keep getting after it.

I encourage you to proceed as follows when confronted with such situations:

• When you’re made fun of, don’t take the bait; don’t respond to the provocation. Keep quiet and stay focused on what you’re doing. 
• Never be afraid of being seen struggling because getting fit isn't easy. We all start from somewhere and if people don’t help you put food on the table or contribute to your bills then their opinion of you and what you’re doing shouldn’t matter. Today’s struggles will become tomorrow’s victory.
• If you see someone trying to better themselves, encourage them. You must provide the kind of positive support to others that you would appreciate for yourself. Just to be clear, encouragement is not barking instructions (i.e. tamanga iwe) but sharing positive feedback (i.e. you got this). If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all - mind your business.
• Gents, women training and engaging in any physical activity is not an open invitation for your advances, comments, unsolicited advice or drill sergeant behavior i.e. c’mon, push it! You’re not motivating anyone; the gym is not a police camp.
• Don’t be sensitive when people laugh at your efforts. Forgive the malice and keep doing what you’re doing. Pole pole and you’ll get to where you’re trying to go.

Hecklers, harassers, and cat callers are deeply insecure individuals. Don’t mind them and always remember, “you will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”