Episode #15
Hebah Hefzy
Running Toward Identity: Faith, Motherhood, and Representation
In this episode, Rebecca shares an intimate and inspiring conversation with Dr. Hebah Hefzy—a neurologist, a mother of three, a first-generation Egyptian American, and the first Muslim woman to complete the Western States 100 in hijab. A true trailblazer, Hebah's story is about far more than sport. It’s about rewriting the narrative, being a visual representation, and living with confidence and comfort in her identity.
Rebecca and Hebah explore the intersections of identity, faith, visibility, and wellness. From struggling to run a single mile during her medical residency to finishing one of the world’s most iconic ultramarathons, Hebah’s journey is a powerful reminder that transformation doesn’t require perfection; it requires courage.
They dive into what it means to show up authentically and how Hebah is navigating life as a single mother, endurance athlete, and physician. Hebah’s voice brings vulnerability, warmth, and strength to conversations on cultural barriers, representation, and the importance of doing hard things to grow.
Show Notes
Transformative Insights
Owning Multiple Identities – Why claiming every part of who you are can be a radical act of self-love
Running as Transformation – How sport became Hebah’s entry point to confidence, health, and spiritual growth
Redefining Representation – The impact of showing up visibly in male-dominated and non-diverse spaces
Vulnerable Moments
Hebah recounts the discrimination she faced wearing hijab as a medical student post-9/11.
She opens up about the guilt and exhaustion of raising three young kids while navigating medical residency.
A turning point: a patient calls her out for not practicing the health habits she preached, sparking a wellness journey.
She shares the weight of representing an entire community on the world’s biggest endurance stage.
Practical Wisdom
How to build fitness and confidence from the ground up, even in your 30s with no athletic background
The importance of showing your children that your well-being matters, too
Creative ways to fit training into family life, like running circles around a cul-de-sac or the soccer field
Why doing something hard on purpose prepares you for life’s unexpected challenges
Personal Growth
Hebah’s evolution from doctor to mother to athlete—and finally claiming the title of athlete out loud
Learning to slow down, rest, and recognize that doing “nothing” can be deeply healing
Why your identity is allowed to evolve and how embracing change can unlock your greatest self
Reframing visibility as opportunity: showing up publicly in a hijab and transforming perceptions of what an athlete looks like
Show Sponsor
Thank you to GU Energy for fueling Hebah and Rebecca’s adventures! Click here and use code RUSCH20 to get 20% off your order of $49 or more.
And thanks to our partner Momentous. Listeners of What’s the Rusch get 35% off their first subscription with code RUSCH when you shop here.
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