We were lucky to catch up with Fatimah Basir recently and have shared our conversation below.
Fatimah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
As an educator, some of my life goals are to empower and motivate the youth and to help serve underprivileged families. When I trademarked I’m a Big Fish, Not a Guppy, I decided to do a children’s book to instill confidence and self-esteem in children. The phrase I’m a Big Fish, Not A Guppy is a mindset and a lifestyle. It’s a way of thinking and living.
I’m a Big Fish, Not a Guppy
What is a big fish? A big fish is any person who continues to thrive no matter how many times people or a situation try to bring them down. Being a big fish is a mindset that knows you don’t belong in a pond and should not try to fit in. You belong in the ocean where the possibilities are endless for your life. Baby, they can’t swim with you. Let the guppies stay in the pond. Don’t ever let people who think they are important enough to survive in your ocean who don’t serve your purpose. For all the people who told you that you aren’t capable, keep swimming. For all the people who made you feel like you aren’t worthy, keep swimming. For those who laughed at your idea, keep swimming. For those times you felt like giving up, keep swimming. Never give up on yourself. Always bet on yourself.
Fatimah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Yes My name is Fatimah Basir Im the youngest of 10. I was born and raised in Brooklyn Newyork. Im an educator , Empowerment speaker and the CEO, of “ Im a big fish not a guppy” I have worked in education for half of my life. I began my first job at age 16 as a culinary arts instructor for a non-profit organization. At the age of 18, I had an opportunity to work as a summer camp counselor. This experience allowed me to realize how instilling certain values in youth can make a world of difference. I have worked very closely with children from Pre-K to high school seniors. As an educator, you recognize that young minds are highly impressionable. You see firsthand the issues that occur with children. Bringing this children’s book to the shelves of all bookstores and schools would be my life coming full circle.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Back in 2013, I ran my very first marathon. The Chicago full marathon was 26.2 miles and was anything but easy. Growing up, I was overweight, but things changed in my junior year of high school. I dropped 60 pounds from working out every day and cutting out all the junk food I consumed every day. My high school physical education teacher played a pivotal role in my decision to live a healthier life. He ignited a flame within me to lose weight and be healthier.
When I was 21, I decided to run the Chicago full marathon. I cried at mile 19, not because my body was in pain but because I was literally exhausted. My sweat had turned to salt on my face. My legs began to feel like noodles. I thought I was at mile 22, or maybe 24, at the time. I looked to the left of me, and there was an old man in a wheelchair with one of his legs amputated. He had these noisemakers, and he looked at me and said, “You have to keep going. Keep on going, don’t stop.”
The tears began streaming down my face, and I started back jogging. I was crying so hard that it became hard for me to breathe. I had to recollect myself and say, “Fatimah, let’s go. You can finish this.” I will never forget running across the finish line. I was still in college and told myself that if I could get through this marathon, there was nothing in my life that I could not get through. Participating in this marathon truly exemplified resilience. Resilience is when you can complete a task that you thought you would never be able to do. You did it, and life is truly a journey. It is also too long to go through and not make a mistake. You have to continue to swim and pull yourself up along the way.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I had to unlearn in this life is that nothing is possible unless you actually put in the work and effort toward what you have been praying for. I think about I’m a Big Fish, Not a Guppy, and where I started with this phrase when I first trademarked it. I knew I wanted to instill this mindset into everyone’s heads, but I had no idea how I would do that. People would ask, “Fatimah, where are you going to take this to?” I honestly had no idea where I’m a Big Fish, Not a Guppy would go.
Because I’ve worked in education for half my life, I thought about turning this idea into a children’s book. I wanted a book for children to read and feel empowered. The guppies are all our problems and the people who try to tell you what you can and can’t do. They swim in a small pond. Big fish swim in the sea where the possibilities are endless for their life. When you look out into the ocean or the sea, you never see it ending. It keeps going and going. It is also very reminiscent of our lives to an extent. Life is short, but we want our life to be meaningful and have purpose.
I realize that things are beginning to come full circle. I feel like I am finally on the correct path with this children’s book. I want to do a book tour and travel to schools to speak to scholars. I truly want them to understand that you can achieve anything that you want to. I want them to stay off social media; that’s another topic. To answer the question of what lesson I had to unlearn, the answer would be that prayer alone is enough. You have to get up, get out, and get the things you’ve been praying for. Prayer is important, but nothing can be done when you are not applying the effort and the pressure.
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