Beyond Addiction : Aida’s Journey to becoming Middle East’s Strongest Woman
Fundraising campaign by
Aida Odongo
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US$193.00raised of $2,500.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
Campaign Story
My journey in sobriety started in April 2017. After drinking for over twenty (20) years, I never imagined that I would get sober and stay sober. Not drinking is just the beginning of the journey. Staying sober is a day to day challenge. A challenge I have thus far managed to over come with the help of exercise.
When I began my fitness journey, my main goal was to lose weight. Then I discovered my love for lifting weights and I never looked back. My goals changed from losing weight to getting stronger and loving myself in my own skin. Getting stronger in the gym has helped with my mental health, self esteem, and overall self love.
My first competition was fitneswars in August 2018. I remember preparing for this event and at the time I could barely finish 10 squats at 70kgs and my maximum deadlift was 120kgs : I can now do 10 squats at 110kgs and my maximum deadlift is 190kgs.
I was early in my sobriety and early in my fitness journey so at that time winning was everything to me. I lost the desire to compete.
Then I met one of Kenya’s best strength and conditioning coaches : Ian Masinde AKA Ian Raulini and he nurtured my strength and my self confidence. He never pushed me to compete instead he pushed me to be the best version of Aida. Next thing I know, I was registered to compete in Kenya’s Strongest.
Kenya’s Strongest created a platform for me to put my strength to the test and compete with other women in such a male dominated sport. In July 2019, I was crowned Mombasa’s strongest woman and in October 2019 I was named Kenya’s 5th strongest woman.
Video: Road to Kenya Strongman Finals
Winning is no longer the be all and end all. Competing has become an important learning tool and best teacher of humility.
Now, my journey takes me to Dubai to compete in the Middle East’s Strongest Man and Woman 2019 at the Dubai Muscle Show, December 5 - 7.
So what’s next? Addiction doesn’t disappear. I have to live with it everyday but sobriety is a lifetime journey and Strongman is just beginning. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
#beyondaddiction
Organizer
- Aida Odongo
- Campaign Manager
Donors
- Anonymous
- Donated on Nov 26, 2019
- Rob Smith
- Donated on Nov 14, 2019
This is Amazing what you are doing! Keep pushing!
- Gurmeet Mudan
- Donated on Nov 10, 2019
Good Luck Aida! 😁
No updates for this campaign just yet
Donors & Comments
- Anonymous
- Donated on Nov 26, 2019
- Rob Smith
- Donated on Nov 14, 2019
This is Amazing what you are doing! Keep pushing!
- Gurmeet Mudan
- Donated on Nov 10, 2019
Good Luck Aida! 😁
- Leo & Millz
- Donated on Nov 09, 2019
Congratulations on your progress so far; your strength, both physical and mental, is admirable to watch! Sending positive vibes & best wishes from Melbourne x
- G Lee
- Donated on Oct 29, 2019
Aida, so proud of you for getting sober and staying sober and for channeling that energy into getting physically strong! Keep that beautiful smile on your face, but if you need that mood booster, the pups are always with you. We love you ❤❤❤
- Bob Ochieng'
- Donated on Oct 25, 2019
- Bob Ochieng'
- Donated on Oct 24, 2019
- Bob Ochieng'
- Donated on Oct 23, 2019