• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hashi Mashi

Fitness Tips for Your Mind and Body

  • Body Transformation
    • Change Your Body: the Ultimate Guide
    • How deadlifts change your body
    • Getting Fit at 50 before and after photos
    • Swimming body transformation
    • 12-week body transformation plan
    • How rowing changes your body
    • Running body transformation
    • Rock climbing body transformation
    • How cycling changes your body
    • Assault bike body transformation
    • Skinny fat to muscular
    • CrossFit Body Transformation
    • How kickboxing changes your body
    • Types of Workouts for Body Transformation
  • Diet
    • How to lose 20 pounds in 3 months
    • Deadlift calories burned
    • Lifting weights to lose belly fat
    • Clean Eating for Beginners
    • Benefits of losing 20 pounds
    • How to lose 75lbs in 6 months
    • The Obesity Code summary
    • Deadlift for fat loss
  • Exercises
    • Deadlifts
      • Deadlift muscles worked
      • Benefits of deadlifts
      • How to deadlift
      • Deadlift accessory lifts
      • Deadlift alternative for bad back
    • Squats
      • Squat muscles worked
      • Benefits of squats
      • How to squat
      • Squat accessory lifts
      • Squats for body transformation
    • Bench Press
      • Bench Press Benefits
      • Improve Your Bench
      • Incline vs Flat Bench Press
      • Floor Press VS Bench Press
    • Power Cleans
      • Power Cleans Muscles Worked
      • Power Clean VS Deadlift
      • Power Clean VS Squat Clean
    • Overhead Presses
      • Overhead Press Muscles Worked
      • Overhead Press Accessory Exercises
    • Chin-Ups / Pull-Ups
      • Neutral grip pull-ups muscles worked
      • Pull Ups benefits, muscles worked
      • Chin Up Muscles Worked
      • Chin-Ups vs Pull-Ups
    • Push-ups
      • 100 pushups a day
      • Pushup muscles worked
      • Benefits of pushups
      • Exercises to Improve Pushups
  • Workouts
    • 3×5 workout program
    • Army prt exercises
    • Strength Training for Men Over 50
    • Bodybuilding over 50 workout routine + PDF
    • Weight lifting for weight loss
    • Minimalist training
    • Powerbuilding program + PDF
    • Strength Training for Women Over 50
    • Beginner deadlift workout routine
    • Deadlift Program
    • Beginner squat workout routine
    • 5/3/1 for Beginners
  • Equipment
    • Weightlifting
      • Olympic Barbells
      • Elbow Sleeves
      • Knee Sleeves
      • Weightlifting Shoes
      • Weightlifting Belts
      • Gifts for Weightlifters
      • Bumper Plates
      • Dumbbells
      • Weight Benches
      • Cable Machines
    • Deadlift Equipment
      • Best shoes for squats & deadlifts
      • Deadlift shin guards
      • Deadlift bars
      • DIY deadlift platform
      • Best lifting straps
      • Deadlift socks
    • Calisthenics
      • Calisthenic Equipment
      • Weighted Vests
      • Resistance Bands
      • Power Towers
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein Powders
      • Supplements for Men Over 50
      • Multivitamins for Men Over 50
      • Best Budget Probiotics
    • Cardio
      • Best Air Bikes
      • Rowing Machines Under 500
      • Walking Shoes for Men
      • Compact Treadmills
      • Treadmills for a Heavy Person
      • Recumbent Bikes
      • Budget Ellipticals
Home » Gilbert Tuhabonye Will Inspire You To Never Give Up on Life

Gilbert Tuhabonye Will Inspire You To Never Give Up on Life

Updated October 31, 2022 by Rich

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Gilbert Tuhabonye’s story of survival will inspire you to make the most out of your day and life.

Do you think that you cannot handle what you are going through?

Whether it is physical or emotional stress?

Do you feel like you cannot get through the day?

Read how the ‘anchor’ of running enabled Gilbert Tuhabonye to survive genocide in Burundi.

Who is Gilbert Tuhabonye?

Gilbert Tuhabonye was born in Songa, Burundi, in 1974 into a Tutsi tribe.

In 1992 Gilbert was the National Champion at 400 and 800 meters in Burundi.

Just a year later, he faced a fiery death in a genocidal massacre.

At the age of 19, war exploded between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority tribes.

Burundi Civil War Breaks Out

On October 21, 1993, Burundi’s first democratically elected Hutu president, Melchior Ndadaye, was assassinated by Tutsi extremists.

As a result of Ndadaye’s assassination, violence spiraled out of control between the Hutus and Tutsis.

Suddenly, Tuhabonye found himself targeted for extermination by people that just the day before, he knew as friends.¹

Members of the Hutu tribe invaded Tuhabonye’s high school and captured more than 100 Tutsi children and teachers.

The Hutus hacked most of the Tutsi captives to death; the rest were burned alive.

Gilbert survived by burying himself under the charred remains of his former schoolmates and teachers.

After spending nearly 10 hours hidden beneath the burning corpses of his classmates and suffering burns over much of his body, Gilbert Tuhabonye managed to escape.

As the fire moved closer to him, in desperation, he grabbed a classmate’s burnt femur, using it to smash a window to escape.

He ran as fast as he could, with Hutus chasing after him.

Tuhabonye was the sole survivor of the attack. 

He attributes his escape because of his deep faith, and a body made strong by running.

From Genocidal Survival to Success

A runner since childhood, he ran from that horror, into a new life.

A life of hope.

Having defied the doctors who said he would never walk again, Gilbert resumed his passion in life – running.

Indeed it was his talent for long-distance running that earned him a track scholarship in the USA, for Abilene Christian University in Texas.²

He published his fantastic story of survival in This Voice in My Heart: A Genocide Survivor's Story of Escape, Faith,... 

Today, Gilbert is a retired world-class runner, the head cross country and award-winning coach at St. Andrews High School, and a community leader in Austin, Texas.

He is also the founder and winning coach of Gilbert’s Gazelles training group in Texas.

He helps provide clean water to improve the life of people, both Hutus and Tutsis in his homeland of Burundi, Africa, through the Gazelle Foundation³, of which he is a co-founder.

$5.82
This Voice in My Heart: A Genocide Survivor's Story of Escape, Faith,...
This Voice in My Heart: A Genocide Survivor's Story of Escape, Faith,...
  • Hardcover Book
  • Tuhabonye, Gilbert (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 272 Pages - 05/01/2006 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins Publishers (Publisher)
$23.95 −$5.82
Check Price

What can you learn from Gilbert Tuhabonye?

Are you struggling with circumstances in your life that feel out of control?

Do you encounter multiple levels of challenges on a day-to-day basis?

They range from minor annoyances that eat up so much of your precious time, like commuting, errands, bills, grocery shopping, carpool.

To more serious issues like divorce, job stress, job loss, physical or mental illness, aging, and personal struggles.

Whatever you are facing, it is probably not as immediately catastrophic as what Gilbert met that day lying under the burned corpses of his teachers and classmates.

Yet, he got out; Gilbert Tuhabonye ran out.

The operative word is that he ran out.

Because of his physical conditioning, he could outrun the Hutus pursuing him with blood in their eyes.

Gilbert himself says the following:

Forgiveness has allowed me to move forward. Forgiveness has allowed me to find joy. It was tough; I had to find running. Running is my therapy; it’s my freedom. It grounds me. Running makes me happy. It is the vehicle for all other blessings that have come my way.” ~ Gilbert Tuhabonye

Note that he says that running is his therapy, his freedom, and grounds him.

Running is the vehicle for all other blessings that have come his way.

gilbert tuhabonye run for the water

Gilbert Tuhabonye’s Run for the Water – Photo Credit: https://gilberttuhabonye.com

Find Your Anchor

What is your anchor?

What activity can keep you grounded, can give you freedom from the challenges you face?

Gilbert Tuhabonye faced genocide, but running brought him to safety, and to a spectacular new life.

Imagine, from the burning embers of the Burundian civil war to providing clean water for thousands of his native country’s population, whether they are Tutsis or Hutus.

When I first read about Gilbert Tuhabonye’s life, I was ten years into trying to survive the aftermath of divorce.

Gilbert’s ability to use running as his therapy gave me hope that perhaps I, too, could find an anchor that could ground me.

Some activities that could help me fight depression and beat the obesity that was suffocating me physically.

His words that “running is my therapy, it’s my freedom. It grounds me. And makes me happy. running is the vehicle for all other blessings that have come my way.” stuck with me.

But what could I do?

But, what if you hate running?

If running is Gilbert’s therapy, it does not have to be yours.

Perhaps you can could some other type of activity, a movement, an exercise that will be a prescription for healing from mental and physical pain.

For example, the powerful prescription of:

  • deadlifts, 
  • squats, 
  • pushups, and 
  • real food can be your therapy and anchor.

Whether running, golf, yoga, or biking is your anchor, you need to experiment.

For sure, sitting on the couch and brooding over your problems will not solve them.

You have to start moving physically to move past your obstacles.

Find 13 minutes and 43 seconds to listen to Gilbert Tuhabonye’s excellent TED Talk in Austin, Texas, 2011.

His beautiful words to forgive yourself, those who hurt you, and to live with joy will surely inspire you.

Gilbert’s world exploded in 1993 with the assassination of the Hutu president.

Gilbert Tuhabonye’s Journey – Final Thoughts

The biggest threat to losing hope is the life story of Gilbert Tuhabonye. 

His experiences will inspire you to stay the course and weather the storms you are facing now.

Never give up, forgive yourself and those that hurt you, and live every day with joy.

That is the powerful message that Gilbert Tuhabonye shares, which can change your life.

Gilbert’s running anchor helped him survive a massacre you could never imagine.

Gilbert’s story inspired me to develop the positive anchors of:

  • deadlifts
  • squats, 
  • pushups, and 
  • real food 

to battle the wounds of depression and obesity.

If you can use a shot of inspiration, Gilbert Tuhabonye will motivate you never to get discouraged in life.

What’s Next

If you are struggling with obesity, see how this Obese Man Ditched These 3 Common Habits and Lost 75 Pounds in 6 Months.

If he can do it, so can you.

And if you are facing depression, check out these 8 Promising Depression Solutions Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You.

Top 10 Related Posts:

  • The Horrific Burundi Genocide Teaches You to Never Give Up
  • How the Holstee Manifesto Can Change Your Life
  • The Dewey Bozella Story: How Boxing Saved His Life
  • Tracht Gut Vet Zein Gut Revolution
  • Fighting Depression With Exercise Tips from Three Continents
  • Fat and Depressed; How to Escape the Nightmare
  • 5 Depression and Obesity Links You Need To Know
  • How the Deadlift Saved My Life
  • 7 Most Important Deadlift Muscles Worked To Change Your Life
  • 10 Reasons Deadlifts are the Best Natural Alternative To Prozac
  • How to Stop Being Depressed (and Start Being Awesome)
Footnotes

¹ Gilbert Tuhabonye speaks at TEDx Austin

² The Running Man by Gilbert Tuhabonye

³ https://www.gazellefoundation.org/who-we-are

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Motivation

About The Author

Rich Hashimashi AuthorRich is a NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the author of Crossing the Bridge From Depression to Life. At the age of 55, he lost 75 pounds in 6 months, and discovered if you transform your body, you can change your life. You can read about his story here and send Rich a message here.

Get Your FREE Body Transformation Guide

Primary Sidebar

Body Transformation Guides

  • Body Transformation: Ultimate Guide | The Fit Apprentice®
  • Strength Training for Men Over 50 + Full-Body Workout
  • The Minimalist Training Home Workout Guide for Strength & Fitness
  • 8 Week Bodybuilding Over 50 Workout Routine + Free PDF
  • 12-Week Body Transformation Workout Plan at Home

Recent Posts

  • How to Warm up for a Workout at Home – The Best Way
  • Most Common Workout Injuries and How to Avoid Them
  • 11 Sensational Ways How Kettlebell Training Changes Your Body
  • Best Calisthenic Leg Workout for Beginners at Home
  • Are Six Pack Abs Truly the Holy Grail of Fitness?

One Rep Max Calculator – Fit Apprentice

Enter weight or reps

1 Rep Max:
Show / Hide Intensity Table
% of 1RM Weight Reps

Deadlifts for Beginners

  • How to Deadlift for Beginners – A Step by Step Guide
  • 37 Remarkable Benefits of Deadlifts to Unleash Your Fitness
  • 12 Week Deadlift Program for Beginners in Fitness or Powerlifting

Footer

Change Your Body

Recent Posts

  • How to Warm up for a Workout at Home – The Best Way
  • Most Common Workout Injuries and How to Avoid Them
  • 11 Sensational Ways How Kettlebell Training Changes Your Body
  • Best Calisthenic Leg Workout for Beginners at Home
  • Are Six Pack Abs Truly the Holy Grail of Fitness?
  • Squat Clean vs Power Clean: Benefits + Differences
  • How to Do Supersets to Save Time and Burn More Fat
  • The 20 Pull-Up 50 Push-Up Program – How to Train
  • How to Build an Unstoppable Workout Habit That Gets Results
  • These 10 Benefits of Sleep Transform Your Health and Fitness

Change Your Life

Change Your Life

  • Bench Press
  • Body Transformation
  • Deadlifts
  • Motivation
  • NASM Certification
  • Pushups
  • Squats
  • Weight Loss

Follow Hashi Mashi

Pinterest

The Fit Apprentice® is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Never Give Up

Remember when you were
in shape back in the day?

Do you think that transforming your
physique is a pipe dream?

You are in the right place if you want
to learn how to get fit, change your
body, and change your life.

But do not know where to start.

Here is how...
Start Here
  • About
  • Privacy policy
  • Affiliate link disclosure
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

The Fit Apprentice® Fitness Blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.



Copyright © 2012–2023 The Fit Apprentice® powered by HashiMashi.com - Hosted on BigScoots
DMCA.com Protection Status