Ana was once homeless and today she is a successful runner

Those who have participated in street races in São Paulo (or in other Brazilian capitals) may have already seen Ana Luiza Garcez, the ‘Animal’. Small and usually wearing a very colorful look, she turns heads wherever she goes.

More than that: Animal also draws attention due to the fact that it conquers podiums in almost all the races it participates in, not infrequently coming in first place in its category. She is a running machine, an athlete admired in and out of the road racing world. What a lot of people don’t know is your incredible story of overcoming, a true example of grit and will to win.

O awesome.club brings you yet another inspiring story. Stay with us.

As a newborn, Animal was rejected by her parents and left in a box with her twin sister. From a very early age, she had to get used to the difficulties of living on the street. She lived until she was 18 at the former Febem (today Casa Foundation, a state government agency that at the time was known for harboring young offenders🇧🇷 In the streets, Aninal managed as he could, seeking shelter from the cold nights of São Paulo under overpasses, looking for food in garbage and committing small crimes. Those were difficult times.

At that time, the animal ended up also becoming addicted to drugs. It was when, around the age of 30, she woke up to the world of racing in an unusual way: watching the movie “Chariot of Fire” on a TV in a store window. Curious about the sport, she told some homeless friends that she would like to start running. And one of them, in a mocking tone, challenged her to run the São Paulo Marathon. She decided to take the challenge seriously. With the help of some friends from the street, she got a stolen shoe and started training, managing, unbelievably, to complete the 42 kilometers of the race.

After a long journey learning how to run for real with experienced coaches, like the legendary Wanderlei Oliveira, founder of Clube de Corrida do Pão de Açúcar (who was willing to help her and with whom she trains to this day), Animal became a winner .

It accumulates more than a thousand participations in races and victories beyond expressive in its category. Anyone who sees her, small and wearing colorful accessories, can’t imagine how much difficulty she went through on the streets.

Check out some of his greatest achievements, all in his age group:

Overall Champion of the Santiago Half Marathon (Chile) 2006 Champion of the 50-59 years category of the 21 km version of the Two Oceans Marathon, in South Africa South American Master Champion in the 5000 meters and 10000 meters, in Arequipa, Peru Vice -champion of the Buenos Aires Half Marathon competition in 2004 Master Champion of the Disney and Miami Half Marathons (USA) in 2010; Overall Champion of the Miami Halloween Stocking (USA) 19 participations in São Silvestre Champion of the New York Half Marathon (2018) Second place in the New York Half Marathon (2015) Gold medal in two events of the Gay Games 2018: the 5km and 10km Champion of the 800m, 1500m, 5km and 10km at the Mercosur Grand Prix — Master of Athletics

In recognition of his incredible career, Animal was one of those chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for the 2016 Olympic Gameswhen this great symbol of Olympic sport passed through São Paulo.

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