Stefana Vasileva and her passion for running
December on the calendar means we finished our Move It Movember steps challenge in Bulgaria.
To keep the sports spirit, we asked Stefana Vasileva, the most active participant in the challenge and a Software Engineer at Avenga, about the benefits of running for physical and mental health, and motivation to keep going.
Motivation rarely comes first — movement does.
I’ve always loved sports, but I haven't always practiced consistently. Everything changed during COVID. At first, I just ran 20–30 minutes a day. Nothing ambitious, just movement.
But over time, those short runs turned into an hour or more. And somewhere along the way, I realized running wasn't just physical – it was mental.
In 2021, I signed up for my first trail race. And I fell in love with everything about it!
Movement doesn’t just change the body — it changes the mind.
When you sit at work trying to fix a problem in code all day, you never get outside the scope of that problem. The same happens with personal struggles. But the moment we move — whether it's running, walking, cycling, or simply stepping outside — something shifts. And suddenly, there's clarity, space, breath.
Why movement matters
- Mental clarity. Helps clear the mind, reduce overthinking, and create space for new perspectives.
- Physical health. Strengthens the body, boosts immunity, and supports faster recovery when you get sick.
- Consistency builds resilience. Setting goals and sticking to them improves discipline, confidence, and inner strength.
- Feeling happy and energized. Finishing a workout, crossing a race line, or simply spending time outside brings a unique joy – a reminder that we’re alive.
When I'm alone, that's MY time.
I've found my own way. The most important thing for me is to lock the door from the outside. Then I go for a run or a walk.
I compete with myself. I set goals for myself and try to achieve them – faster 1km, 5km... I take a window of time, know I will dedicate it to what I have planned, and don't let anything take it up.
When I'm alone, that's MY time. I train at my own pace, without any pressure. I listen to a book, a podcast, or I'm alone with my thoughts.
My advice to others is once they start moving, whether it's walking, running, cycling, swimming, going to pilates or the gym, don't stop. Keep going. Once you stop, it's always easy to make excuses and not do it. But moving on the outside keeps us moving on the inside. And all of life is actually a movement, right?
