Recently @jatecson invited me to help him document the first all-female team to represent @koreatownrunclub in this year’s @thespeedproject (a 340 mile relay race from Santa Monica to Las Vegas that averages about 48 hrs to finish, running non-stop). Without knowing anything about it then, I responded with an emphatic YES. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What I bore witness to was something so extraordinary that it’s hard to put down within the limits of this caption. I saw a team of people who had their own personal challenges/goals, who kind of knew each other and kind of didn’t, come together and support one another to meet those demands. We compassionately pushed each other to be our better selves every minute from when it kicked off at 4am on Fri all the way through to the champagne finish at 3:13am on Sun. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of the things Ja and I discussed before this trip was how we were going to push ourselves as photographers/creatives and grow. This was my personal reason why I said yes without question. I thought this was my chance to challenge myself with wild concepts or new techniques. But what I soon realized was that my own hurdle was actually confronting my insecurities and hold ups. I became frustrated (but made sure not to show it—if anything at least only to Ja) and in my own head on whether or not I got the shot or if I was even going to deliver quality work. However, watching this team do what they were doing, it became clear to me: we were all doing our absolute best in the toughest of situations. And that “wild concept” was enough to get us all through to our own mental finish line, together. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I learned so much about myself on this journey thanks to this group of incredible human beings. I felt that we all selflessly gave to one another and, in turn, achieved greatness within ourselves. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you to @jatecson for everything on this trip and for ALWAYS pushing me. An extra thank you to @rosizzle and @michelleovercome for allowing me to observe what true leadership is. And a special thanks to the runners and crew who welcomed me and helped make this a life-changing experience. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Forever grateful to all of you. ❤️