Before joining Run/Walk For Life Westville, Chanell “Coco” Leyds was going through a difficult time in her life.
She remembers feeling unhappy with herself, both physically and emotionally. Her confidence was low, she felt uncomfortable with her appearance and fitness level, and she was struggling mentally. At the time, she was even taking antidepressants and felt as though she had lost a part of who she was.
Then she made a decision that would change everything.
Coco joined Run/Walk For Life Westville.
What she discovered was far more than just a running club. Instead, she found a supportive community – a group of people who encourage each other, laugh together, and lift one another up when the road gets tough.
When Coco first started, she was not a runner at all. In fact, she was someone who never even wanted to run.
But step by step, kilometre by kilometre, something began to change.
As the weeks went by, her strength grew, her confidence returned, and she started to believe in herself again. What once felt impossible slowly became part of her routine.
To date, Coco has completed an incredible 816.22 kilometres — something she never imagined she would be capable of when she first started.
For her, running has become much more than just exercise. It has become her safe space — a place where she can clear her mind, rebuild her strength, and find peace.
Running helped her rediscover her confidence, regain her sense of balance, and reconnect with herself.
Run/Walk For Life didn’t just transform Coco’s fitness. It transformed her life.
Today, she runs not because she has to, but because she loves it. Every run reminds her of how strong she truly is.
And if there’s one thing she has learned from her journey, it’s this:
Sometimes the hardest step is the first one — but that first step might just lead you to a completely new life.
