# First Sikh for New Balance

By [Harsahej Anand](https://dylit.info/user/harsahej)

[Meet Harsahej Anand](https://dylit.info/presence/Meet-Harsahej-Anand/6859abded3ebe3b6c8dc13ef) > [First Sikh for New Balance](https://dylit.info/channel/First-Sikh-for-New-Balance/6866357e418a97ad3e004947)

Modeling for New Balance’s “Runners Aren’t Normal” campaign was one of the most personal and meaningful experiences of my life. As the first Sikh to be featured in this campaign, it wasn’t just about being part of a global brand moment; it was about showing up for every kid who had never seen someone like themselves represented in this space. The campaign itself was centered on the idea that runners don’t have to fit one standard or stereotype. It celebrated real people who approach running in their way, with their own stories, struggles, and identities. Being part of that narrative meant a lot to me because it was rooted in authenticity and challenged the idea of what a “runner” should look like. I wasn’t cast just to look cool in sneakers, I was cast to represent a voice and a background that rarely gets this kind of platform. Seeing my face on the largest billboard in New York City, in the middle of Times Square, was surreal. It wasn’t just about visibility, it was about making space. It reminded me why I do this work. Because every time someone from an underrepresented community sees that image, it plants a seed that they can belong here too.