Assalamualaikum all!

Today, I would like to share one of the big blessings in my life that play a huge part in making me into who I am today.

It’s fencing. And my beloved coach, Linda Vollkommer-Lynch. Oh, I miss her so much.

I did not really join sports back in the schooldays.

However, I believe Allah wanted to show me something. I am absolutely grateful for this.

During my freshman year in Stevens, my best friend Latifah signed up both of us to join Fencing PE Class.

During the first session, we realized that we actually accidentally signed up to join the Fencing Varsity Team. Both of us, who did not even know what fencing is, and totally not sports people.

It was totally hilarious. But we decided, why not?

The first practice lasted for 3 hours. It was the first ever longest run and cardio in my life. Both of us vomited that day. And we couldn’t even walk the next day. Hahaha.

However, I pushed through. I had a wonderful Coach, and also an awesome team. I received a lot of support and learned a lot about fencing and weight lifting. My stamina and strength improved by leaps and bounds!

I started out as the backup fencer during my freshman year, moved up along the years and finally as Captain of the Foil team when I was in my Senior year. Alhamdulillah we won many tournaments, and finally in 2009, I competed in the NCAA regionals.

Fencing taught me that if I put my mindset to do something, I can actually do it! Even if it is something that I have never done before or don’t have any confidence in. This shapes my life – through fencing, I believe that I can do anything I want in my life. I just need the right mindset and must be willing to do what it takes.

Thank you Allah for this priceless experience – I will never trade this for anything in the world.

And thank you to my Coach, Linda, who is a huge part of my life when I was in Stevens. And thank you to all my teammates for the wonderful memories =)

#fencing #stevensinstituteoftechnology #countyourblessings #wonderfulmemories