EP 247 : Celebrating Women In Running With Dr. Sonia Haboub

Most people see running as just a fitness activity. For Dr. Sonia Haboub, it became a powerful tool for healing, resilience, and personal transformation. After overcoming early-stage cancer and leaving a high-profile corporate career, she discovered that running not only helped her recover but also gave her a new purpose: inspiring others to push beyond their limits.

In this episode, Sonia shares her journey from Italy’s snow-covered Alps to the UAE and explains how running helped her build mental strength, self-awareness, and inner peace. She also talks about how complete beginners can start running by focusing on enjoyment rather than obsessing over pace, gear, or performance, and how to overcome common fears like body image, judgment, and inexperience.

We also explore practical insights—why mindset is crucial for consistency, how social media affects new runners, and whether run clubs truly help long-term progress. Sonia emphasizes the importance of listening to your body, celebrating progress over perfection, and staying patient with your journey.

Whether you are an experienced runner or someone thinking about starting, this conversation offers inspiration, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on running—not just as exercise, but as a path to resilience and self-growth.

About Vikas Singh:
Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.
For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:
Instagram: @vikas_singhh
LinkedIn: Vikas Singh
Twitter: @vikashsingh101

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