Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Oskwarek.
Barbara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m originally from Mexico City where I grew up. I was never an active kid and was never involved in sports of any kind, but at the age of 16, I found myself in a position where I had to be on my own and be not only responsible for myself economically, but also physically. That’s when I got my first pair of running shoes and started running. Between my job at a pizza parlor and high school, I’d sneak in a run to help me energize and wake up for the rest of my day. I remember watching elite runners in Mexico getting ready for the Boston Marathon -a race I had no idea what it was or how big deal it was. I just remember running by them and waving. At that point I never imagined or dreamed to run on a race, forget about coming to the USA to run one. Marathons were not even part of my vocabulary.
After a few years of being on my own in Mexico, I came to Boston in search for a better life: learn English, work hard and save money to build a future in my country. At first I stopped running. There was really no time having to work multiple jobs and taking ESL classes, but after a while of watching pretty much every Bostonian go out and train, no matter the time, the weather, the speed… that’s when I set the goal of not only bettering my life economically and, but to run and come back to Mexico with a Boston Marathon finisher medal.
I started running again slowly and worked my way up to a 5k’s, then 10k then a Half Marathon. I signed up to run Boston for the first time as a charity runner, raising funds for the American Liver Foundation, Boston Medical Center and Patriots Charity Foundation
The rest is history. I have ran 6 marathons for charity and raised over 20k for them. Later I decided’d try to qualify for and worked really hard for it. I went from a 4:45 marathoner to a 3:20 I ran a total of 10 Boston’s, 5 others different marathons, and ultra , won 5k’s, placed 3rd in a half, won money prizes, became a sponsored athlete and more. The journey has been an amazing way to live my life and show other things are possible if you want them.
That’s why I decided to turn fitness into a career. Because running saved my life and gave me a purpose. Gave me goals and taught me to find strength within myself on days where I thought I had none.
Today this is my full time job. Lately I’ve put running a bit in the back burner to focus on getting strong. My focus now is to help people achieve the same goals. I know how to bring the inner strength out of everyone, because I did it for myself for so long.
I currently train people privately, coach at a CrossFit gym, teach fitness classes and coach runners all over Boston. No one is too slow, weak or out of shape. We all have an inner athlete waiting to be pushed.
Fitness Achievements:
Wilmington Half Marathon 2010, Women’s 3rd Place – PR-1:33
Balloon Rally 5K 2011, Women’s 1st Place- PR- 20:21
Mount Washington Road Race 2012, First Place Women’s Team
Boston Marathon Qualifier – Personal Best of 3:24:54
SONY Sponsored Athlete
Super Hero 5K 2011 Team Leader winner, 2nd Top Referrer and Fastest Team
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
OMG no! It has been very difficult! It has been an amazing journey but just like everything, accomplishing a goal its hard work. Coming to this country, becoming a citizen was long process, being patience to train for a marathon was hard, becoming faster and stronger was very frustrating, injuries, etc……building a business and maintaining is hard work. I will always have up and downs but always was to succeed.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Barbara Oskwarek story. Tell us more about the business.
I train runner of all levels for different distances, from 5k to ultras. I train people all backgrounds to stay in shape with resistance and weight training. I coach CrossFit and boot-camps.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Not sure what to add here but I can elaborate. All I can say is that you create your own Luck.
Pricing:
- Varies from $60-$120 per hour or training
Contact Info:
- Address: Lanark rd . Brookline, MA
- Website: www.barbaraoskwarek.com
- Phone: 6175432228
- Email: boskwarek@gmail.com
- Instagram: boskwarek
- Facebook: Barbara Oskwarek ( boskwarek)
- Other: Barbara
Image Credit:
Eoin Vincent Photography
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
