Ironically, a few months back -6/30/2020 to be exact- I remember an inbox that came in from an IG follower that asked why didn't I make a cover like my counterparts to show that #representationmatters on magazines. I made a snarky comment like "... they know where to find me." To eat my own words a bit over 4 months to the day is mind blowing. How do I feel? Hopeful. Optimistic. Proud for my community. A multitude of indescribable emotions. Scared of it being a short lived thing. Holy. Fucking. Shit. Understand this: I'm not used to seeing fat, Black, potty mouthed, unpolished, queer, athletes with invisible disabilities like me on a cover. As much as work as I do, I don't expect to be seen in this way. This cover shook me. I dropped it on the floor because I didn't expect it. I picked it back up because I had to process it. I had a moment of silence to savor it for: - High school dropouts like me that left for gym credits, not for their lack of intelligence; for fear of being intelligent in a world that plagues you for stereotypes and lack of physical safety; - To see the track that I started my runs on at 6AM and see Black + Brown faces that looked like me (i.e. @officialblackgirlsrun) - To be photographed by a fellow LGBTQ+ person that took the time to tell my story with visuals; @ideaform literally caught images of my neighborhood + places that people didn't think were places to be celebrated beyond rap songs; - To see myself beyond my wildest imagination; - To show another misfit that you are worthy beyond someone's box. Baby, you are an infinite circle. This cover also means that it's possible for EVERY PLACE to showcase diversity. This cover is not a hall pass. Keep your foot on the necks of publications + get every damn thing that you deserve. Make no mistake: I am grateful for this opportunity and I don't take it lightly but the work is just starting. Thank you @runnersworldmag for celebrating people that look (and don't look) like me. There's three other covers of the #runnersalliance initiative ambassadors out there. If you don't see a version of yourself out there, let's keep pressing until we're all seen. #runningfatchef