About Me Sizwe
About Me
I’m Sizwe Mthembu, originally from South Africa, and sport and fitness have always been at the core of who I am. Growing up, I was involved in a variety of sports, rugby, cricket, and soccer and one of my biggest dreams was to become a professional cricket player. While that dream shifted due to injury and the demands of my engineering studies, the passion for sport never left me.
- More about me
Where it all began
25%
I am a Mechanical Engineer, and during my time at university I played semi-professional cricket. A significant injury forced me to step back from pursuing cricket at that level, but it also helped me realise something deeper: sport is so much more than physical activity. It’s a powerful vehicle for unity, bringing people of different backgrounds together. It teaches teamwork, respect, accountability, resilience, and camaraderie, lessons that extend far beyond the playing field and into life itself.
How it started
50%
Interestingly, I didn’t always love running. In fact, I used to dislike it. I only really started running during COVID when the gyms were closed and I still wanted to move my body. What began as small personal challenges, pushing myself to complete 5Ks, slowly turned into longer distances. From 5Ks, I started running more and more. After completing my first half marathon, the running bug truly bit. That was the turning point. Running became more than exercise, it became a mental test, a discipline builder, and a form of self-discovery.
Becoming an Outlaw
75%
I became part of The Outlaws through my good friend Hidde, who was the very first person to welcome me into the city of Utrecht when I moved here. From the start, we connected and formed a strong brotherhood. It didn’t take long before we began to dream about building something bigger, a community of like-minded people who push each other to be better, both physically and mentally. That shared vision is what inspired us to found The Outlaws.
- accomplishments
Marathon finisher
3h 17m
Half marathon finisher
1h 28m
