#518 Running Transformed My Life - Featuring May Chou

At age 14, humiliation from a PE teacher at Taipei First Girls' High School left a profound impact on May Chou, a young refugee from mainland China. Discouragement and self-doubt evolved to three decades of inactivity. At the age of 43, inspired by a colleague, she began jogging in her backyard and eventually on to joining a running group where she rediscovered her abilities and gained confidence after competing in her first race. This marked the start of an inspiring journey where May regularly participated in over 40 races annually, earning more than 1,000 awards over four decades. Not only did running restore her self-esteem related to activity, but in personal and professional milestones as well, and she went on to become a successful dentist in the United States. May credits her success to supportive friends, family, and a balanced lifestyle of healthy eating and activity. Approaching her 90th birthday, she competed in the Huntsman World Senior Games for the first time in 2024 and plans to compete in the World Masters Games, a triumphant return to Taipei, symbolizing resilience and the transformative power of sports.