My amazing son RJ
My mother, Yolanda Holder, has always been an inspirational
figure in my life. She has been and continues to be a woman of integrity,
grace, and compassion.
In 2010, Yolanda broke the Guinness
world record for completing 106 marathons in a year. She excelled against all
odds including my own pessimism and scrutiny.
Numerous people including myself wondered why she would dedicate so much
time and money to what we perceived as an unworthy cause. What type of person
would spend every weekend, a significant amount of money, and risk injury
pursuing such an extreme physical challenge? That person is Yolanda. She sets a
personal goal and will literally risk bodily injury to complete it. Her passion
and dedication to fitness, in particular walking, has propelled her into a
celebrity (in the walking community).
Currently, she utilizes her
influence to motivate other adults to become physically and spiritually fit.
While traveling the country, she runs into men and women from all walks of
life. She listens to their stories of struggle and achievement. Afterwards, she
celebrates an individual with a special story on her blog www.myjourneytoguinness.blogspot.com
. Yolanda’s blog is an online platform designed to bring awareness to the
benefits of walking but also serves to praise the unsung heroes that
participate in marathons. In addition, Yolanda has spoken at several events to
marathon enthusiasts about marathon related matters.
Yolanda’s altruistic behavior and
dedication to her craft has had a direct impact on my life in particular my
education. During the time Yolanda was completing her goals, I was in unsure of
my future. I had previously dropped out of college and was not utilizing my
potential. However, after seeing Yolanda’s dedication and persistence toward
her goal I enrolled back into college to finish my bachelor’s degree. Each
semester I enrolled in the most classes possible to graduate within a year. I
am happy to say that I completed my goal.
After finishing my bachelor’s
degree and graduating with honors I applied for graduate school. I was unsure
if I wanted to pursue an MBA or a master in communication. I choose to enroll
into both programs simultaneously. After watching my mother complete her goals
I believed I could do anything. I was scared and unsure if I could finish both
programs in two years while teaching two undergraduate courses at the state
University I was attending. Watching my mother do some of the incredible things
she does has influenced me to push myself in ways that most human beings
wouldn’t. I am proud to say that in May I will be graduating with both my MBA
and a masters in communication from two different Universities. I guess the
apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
I am not the only person that
Yolanda has inspired. Having the privilege of being Yolanda’s son I get to
absorb her charisma and grace on a consistent basis. Throughout her marathon
career Yolanda has touched countless men and women and have inspired them to
complete their personal goals. Not only is she my hero and a symbol of
excellence, she is a proud African-American woman. Not only is her journey to
Guinness astounding, she is a trailblazer working effortlessly to bring more
African-Americans to the marathon trail.
Rogelio R (RJ) Holder
