In 2012, I fell in love with long-distance running but struggled to find a community where I truly belonged. I joined several Bay Area running groups, but each had a different focus—some on speed, others on casual jogs—and I felt lost and intimidated. What I really wanted was a group of like-minded people to support each other on this journey.

That desire led me to connect with a few friends on Facebook who shared similar backgrounds and goals. Together, we created our own running group—one that welcomed everyone, offered effective training, and kept us committed through mutual encouragement.

While pursuing my MBA, I read The Power of Habit and Hooked, which revealed the psychological challenges of running. I realized the hardest part wasn’t physical—it was mental. By integrating psychology and behavioral science into training, I believed I could help others build lasting, healthy habits and make running feel natural and empowering.

That small idea grew over the years. A decade later, our community has expanded from a handful of runners to a thriving network across the Bay Area, from the Peninsula to the Tri-Valley region. We’ve stayed true to our values of openness and inclusivity, emphasizing proven training methods and helping many members qualify for the Boston Marathon injury-free. But it’s never just been about running—it’s about persistence, growth, and transformation.

Today, BURN is the largest Chinese running community in the U.S. and a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our impact extends beyond the track—we volunteer at marathons and raise funds for cancer treatment, organ donation, and community development. Personally, I now mentor new nonprofits, hoping to help others find their own path.

Looking back, the once fearful and uncertain person I was has grown through perseverance and purpose. And it all started with the simple desire to find a few friends to run with.

2012年，我第一次爱上长跑。那时候，我在湾区的跑步组织中始终感到格格不入。每个人跑步的理由都不同，有些人追求速度，有些人只是随意跑跑，让新手的我感到迷茫，甚至有些畏惧。我渴望找到一群志同道合的伙伴，能在坚持跑步的路上彼此支持。

后来，我在脸书上认识了一些华人朋友。我们年纪相仿，背景相似，也有着相同的困惑和期待。于是，我们决定创建一个能让大家轻松加入、科学训练、互相支持的跑步社群。

攻读MBA时，我读了两本让我深受启发的书——《习惯的力量》和《上瘾》。它们让我意识到，跑步之所以难以坚持，不仅是身体的挑战，更是心理的考验。如果我能将心理学和行为学的知识融入跑步，或许就能帮助更多人建立健康的习惯，让跑步成为一种自然的、充满动力的选择。

就这样，这个小小的想法生根发芽。十多年后，我们的组织从最初的几个人，成长为遍布旧金山湾区的华人跑步社区，覆盖半岛、山景城、南湾、常青谷、北圣何塞、富力芒和东湾三谷。我们始终坚持开放、友善的理念，同时注重科学训练，帮助许多成员循序渐进、无伤无痛地达成波士顿马拉松的参赛标准。这不仅仅是跑步，更是一场关于坚持和成长的旅程。

如今，BURN已成为全美最大的华人跑步社区，并获得了联邦政府501(c)(3)慈善机构认证。我们的影响力超越了跑道，积极回馈社会——为马拉松赛事提供义工，为癌症治疗、器官捐献、社区建设筹款。我自己也投身公益，将这些年的经验分享给新的非盈利组织，希望能帮助更多人找到属于自己的方向。

回头看，那个曾经害怕、迷茫的自己，已走过了一条从探索到坚持、从个人成长到影响他人的路。而这一切的起点，只是因为我想找到一些可以一起跑下去的朋友。