Not Everyone Needs Life Insurance

Who needs life insurance?

Not everyone needs life insurance. However, it’s highly recommended for anyone with a family to support, as in the case of my family member. People with sizeable loans should also consider purchasing coverage. For example, a single colleague of mine got life insurance when he financed a new home. He didn’t want his extended family to worry about making mortgage payments or selling the house. It’s all about emotional security.

One of the upsides of today’s insurance market is that it’s relatively easy to get a policy. Waiting periods and medical exams aren’t as common as they once were. There are also a variety of options that can be tailored to your specific needs.

What type of insurance should you get?

There are two basic types of life insurance: whole and term. Whole life, or permanent insurance, is a policy that provides insurance coverage as well as an investment component—a portion of your payment creates cash value that grows over time and can be borrowed against or used as an investment tool. This additional aspect means whole life has a higher cost than term life insurance, which makes whole life less popular. The trade-off for higher prices is a longer duration. There is no end date as long as you make your payments.

The more popular coverage option is term life insurance. It’s simpler and easier to understand since it’s purely insurance. With term life insurance, you receive coverage for a set number of years—typically, 10, 20 or 30 years. There isn’t an investment component, so your payments are lower than they would be with whole life. The policy can be renewed at the end of the term, with the caveat that payments increase as you age. If you choose term life insurance, I recommend setting up an alternative retirement income source since you’ll miss out on the investment component of whole life insurance.

How much coverage do you need?

Think of life insurance in needs-based terms. Get enough coverage to replace your current lifestyle, not to enhance it. When purchasing a policy, consider your financial obligations, your dependents’ needs and the amount of time you need coverage. Borrowers should have enough coverage to pay off their debt, while wage earners should have income replacement of 10 times to 12 times their current annual salary.

Easy enough, but how do you calculate coverage for a stay-at-home parent? My wife and I had this conversation not long ago. One evening, we were discussing the future and my wife asked if she should have life insurance. “Of course,” I answered, and within a few days I’d secured a policy. This led to her next question, “How did you determine the amount?” I explained that I calculated the cost of child care and the value of her other family contributions for the next five years. For us, five years would put us beyond needing child care. Your calculation may differ, but the idea is to have sufficient coverage to maintain your lifestyle.

When should you cancel your policy?

If you have whole life insurance, you never need to cancel your policy. It was designed to be lifelong. Term life, as indicated by the name, will expire at the end of the selected term. You’re welcome to renew the policy annually. However, be aware the price goes up as you age. Eventually, it may become too expensive to keep, at which time you should consider cancelling the policy. Just make sure you have sufficient retirement savings in place before you do so.

Accenture Corporate Strategy Embrace AI

Global consulting giant Accenture has laid off more than 11,000 employees across its offices worldwide in the past three months. The company cited slowing corporate demand and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) as primary drivers of the workforce reduction. While the restructuring, valued at $865 million, aims to align the company with evolving client needs, it also signals a broader shift in the skills white-collar professionals will need to remain relevant.

Demand For AI - Accenture is “exiting people on a compressed timeline where reskilling is not a viable path for the skills we need.” The statement underscores a growing reality in corporate environments: not all employees can be retrained fast enough to meet the demands of rapidly changing technology. Sweet emphasized that the company will prioritize workforce alignment with client demand for AI-driven solutions, a move that may result in further exits in the months ahead.

Headcount Down - At the end of August 2025, Accenture’s global headcount stood at 779,000, down from 791,000 three months earlier. The layoffs, part of a continuing process expected to run until November 2025, reflect both operational restructuring and the financial imperative of managing severance costs. The company projects that the initiative will save over $1 billion, even as it seeks to retain core talent capable of delivering on AI-focused projects.

Upskilling - Alongside workforce reductions, Accenture is investing in upskilling programs focused on agentic AI, a new class of tools designed to automate complex decision-making and operational tasks. Sweet noted that these programs are essential for meeting client expectations as businesses globally seek to reinvent operations with AI. For white-collar professionals, the implication is clear: developing proficiency in emerging AI technologies is no longer optional but increasingly central to career sustainability.

Critical Lessons - While the Accenture layoffs are significant, they offer critical lessons for professionals navigating a transforming work environment:

a: Adaptability is essential: In a time where technological adoption accelerates faster than traditional reskilling programs, the ability to pivot and acquire new capabilities quickly is a key differentiator.

b: Specialization in emerging skills matters: Knowledge of AI, particularly agentic AI, is becoming a strategic asset. Professionals who cultivate these competencies are better positioned to align with organizational priorities.

c: Proactive career management: Waiting for corporate reskilling programs may be insufficient. Employees must anticipate shifts in demand and invest in continuous learning independently.

d: Financial awareness is part of professional literacy: Understanding organizational restructuring, severance implications, and the economic drivers behind workforce decisions can help professionals navigate transitions more strategically.

e: Resilience in uncertainty: Even in high-performing firms reporting revenue growth, such as Accenture, which posted a 7% year-on-year increase to $17.6 billion in the June-August quarter of fiscal 2025, job security is not guaranteed, making emotional resilience and strategic foresight critical for sustaining a long-term career.

AI reshaping Corporate Structure - Accenture’s approach demonstrates a broader trend: the integration of AI into corporate strategy is reshaping not only business models but also the expectations placed on white-collar professionals. Those who embrace continuous learning, anticipate technological shifts, and develop highly relevant skills will find themselves better positioned in a rapidly evolving job market.

The Accenture story serves as a reminder that career growth is increasingly tied to adaptability, specialized expertise, and proactive planning. For white-collar professionals, the lesson is unambiguous: the future belongs to those who prepare for it, not those who wait for it.

Indonesia Health Insurance Co-payment Postponed

The implementation of a 10 percent risk-sharing scheme, aka co-payment, for health insurance customers that will take effect in January 2026 has finally been postponed. Instead, the Financial Services Authority will prepare new regulations by involving participation from stakeholders and through consultation with parliament.

The risk sharing scheme depends on the policies of each insurance company by considering the risk profile and loss ratio that can be negotiated with customers. Even without SEOJK or POJK, every insurance company is free to offer co-payment to customers, if approved, because insurance is an agreement between the two parties, the insured and the insurer, which according to paragraph 1 of article 1338 of the Civil Code applies as a law for the parties who are bound.

Postponement - Previously, the results of the Working Meeting between Commission XI of the DPR and the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of OJK and Members of the Board of Commissioners of Insurance on Monday (30/6/2025) agreed to postpone the implementation of SEOJK Number 7 of 2025 concerning Health Insurance Products starting January 2025. This SEOJK regulates, among other things, the risk-sharing sch

This decision allows for more public aspirations to be accommodated (meaningful participation). On the other hand, not every OJK policy formulation in the form of POJK and SEOJK should involve the DPR, especially those related to general industrial regulation and supervision.

However, the SEOJK on co-payment is directly related to the interests of consumers in general, especially health insurance customers, so the DPR as a working partner of the OJK needs to be involved. Variable cost co-payments should only be charged when a claim occurs, instead of a fixed cost premium increase every time a health insurance policy is purchased or extended. Basically, co-payments also function as additional premiums when a claim occurs.

In addition, there is also an alternative option for regulators by limiting the scope of coverage guarantees, such as specific diseases, the age of the insured, or only covering outpatient care and excluding inpatient care.

The spirit of SEOJK No. 7/2025, actually weakens and makes consumers of health product insurance the scapegoat. This is considering the reason behind the regulation is intended to reduce fraudulent practices carried out by consumers, over-utility, and high inflation in the health sector.

(1) The alleged fraudulent practices, for example, were not only carried out by consumers, but also involved stakeholders in the health sector. However, only consumers were accused and burdened with a 10 percent co-payment.

(2) The alleged over-utilization by consumers can also be mitigated by making stricter prerequisites, for example, it must be accompanied by detailed health history data through health check results. This indicates that over-utilization occurs due to loose regulations when consumers will become health insurance participants.

(3) Regarding inflation in the health sector, which is said to reach 12.5 percent, it should be the duty and responsibility of regulators, even the government, to intervene. However, consumers should not be used as a shield to lower this high inflation

Insurance Vs Investment

Around year 2000, one of the earliest conversations many had with life insurance agent was about investment-linked insurance plans (ILP). It sounded like a smart insurance product at the time where a policyholder could check two items off insurance list by getting life insurance protection while investing at the same time.

Investment-linked Policy - is a two-in-one deal: part insurance, part investment. Your money covers you and also goes into funds that are supposed to grow your wealth. For many people who lack confidence or are afraid to invest on their own, they tend to count on their ILP to do the work for them, relying on their agent.

Many people's first step into investing comes through ILPs sold by insurers, often by friends or family acting as agents. These products, largely agent-driven and dominated almost 50% of new life insurance business in the first half of 2025.

At first, this may seem practical. However, when the ILP fails to perform well, people often end up regretting their decision, only realising then that their investment returns were not guaranteed.

INVESTMENT RETURNS NOT GUARANTEED
ILP is positioned as a convenient and fuss-free way to invest. Many people make the mistake of assuming that it is a passive investment tool. ILP returns depend on the funds you pick, which can go up or down with the market. And no matter what happens, it is the policyholder, not the insurer, who takes on all the investment risk.

Several readers have discovered that their ILP have resulted in negative or muted returns. For example, an investment of RM60,000 over 10 years resulted in only RM50,000 if the policy is surrendered. 

Many have utilized in a low-cost global exchange-traded fund (ETF) that charges less than 0.05 per cent fees every year.

THE PROBLEM WITH HIGH FEES
Even if your ILP makes money, the fees will eat into your gains. Insurers often bundle sub-funds into different portfolio options, but investing in them through an ILP means paying multiple layers of charges – you are paying fees to fund managers, insurers and commissioned agents.

In the early years, much of your premiums go towards sales commissions, administrative charges and other fees rather than your investments. Even with "welcome bonuses", usually offered by insurers for the initial years to offset this, total fees often add up to 2 per cent or more of your investment each year.

Welcome bonuses may help offset fees in the first few years, but ILPs are meant to be held for decades, which means consumers need to ask whether they are truly willing to pay these fees over decades.

Alternatively - through a brokerage, one could buy some of the same funds directly, or even a lower-cost ETF that is traded on the stock exchange and tracks a similar benchmark such as the Straits Times Index (STI). The STI is Singapore's key stock market benchmark, made up of 30 of the country's biggest listed companies including banks such as DBS, OCBC and telecommunications firm Singtel.

Fees for such ETFs are much lower, at just 0.26 to 0.30 per cent a year.Today, there are far better alternatives than when ILPs first became popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, with some plans now allowing you to start investing with as little as S$100 a month.

One can also buy ready-made funds, such as unit trusts, or even small portions of individual shares, through most brokerages or robo-advisers without needing a big sum of money. 
With these options, ILPs often appear less cost-effective for those willing to learn and take a hands-on approach.

WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED
There is a risk of not being able to pay ILP premium. A job loss or a new baby can quickly turn those premiums into a heavy burden. While some insurers allow "premium holidays" or "premium passes", they often come with conditions, fees and limits. Stop paying and the policy may lapse or eat into whatever cash value that have built up.

On top of that, policyholders can choose only from a limited set of funds offered by the insurer, and most ILPs require a commitment of at least 10 years, with stiff penalties for exiting early. When this happens, the surrender value may be less than the total premiums paid.

In contrast, investing through a brokerage account or robo-adviser gives me the freedom to stop or restart my investments anytime with no penalties or hidden charges.

A SMALL SILVER LINING
ILP offers retail investors a rare opportunity to put their money into select funds otherwise meant for accredited investors only, and at a lower capital outlay. This could appeal to someone specifically seeking such exposure. But for the average consumer, this is rarely the case. Many policyholders don't fully understand how ILPs work or were even mis-sold the product.

Even if disputes are resolved, they may not get all their premiums back, and the opportunity cost of not having invested earlier in cheaper options such as ETFs or robo-advisers can be painful.

Ultimately, the investment risk lies with the policyholder. 

ILPs might suit people who are incapable of investing or want a forced savings mechanism, or who prefer a hands-off approach to investing and don't mind paying extra fees for it.

ILP lack of flexibility and significantly higher costs outweigh the benefits. In a world where better, cheaper and simpler tools exist, it is advisable to keep insurance and investments separate.

Escalating healthcare costs in the private sector are driving more affluent Malaysians, to seek treatment at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). Many wealthy patients were referred from private medical centres, often after their insurance coverage ran out or when treatment costs became too high.

This is a reality. First, their insurance coverage runs out. Second, treatment costs are simply too high, so they move to HKL. This shift has been evident over the past decade, reflecting both financial pressures and confidence in HKL’s specialists and facilities.

He added that the trend shows that affluent patients also trust HKL’s quality of care and medical expertise. HKL currently houses 417 medical specialists, supported by nearly 900 medical officers and more than 3,800 nurses, treating up to two million patients annually. The public hospital is also equipped with advanced technology, including robotic-assisted surgery in its Urology Department, one of only two such facilities in Malaysia.

HKL gave an assurance that the rising number of T20 and VIP patients would not affect low-income groups, who remain the hospital’s priority. No matter the status of the patient - all will not receive special privileges. Treatment is provided equally to all. 

HKL prioritises low-income groups, it cannot turn away wealthier patients and has first-, second- and third-class wards to accommodate different needs. M40 and T20 patients often sought oncology and radiology services at HKL, which are both highly specialized and costly in private hospitals.

Despite longer waiting times compared to private facilities, he said patients leave HKL with quality treatment, affordable medication and access to expertise that matches or surpasses the private sector.

Perkeso Amendments - Wider Coverage

The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) is drafting amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4), to provide 24-hour social security protection for employees under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso). The amendments to the bill are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year, aiming to offer comprehensive protection even outside working hours.

Currently - if an employee takes his wife and children out for dinner after work, he currently has no protection. After the amendments, 24-hour coverage will be provided, including outside working hours. The amendments to the bill providing comprehensive protection is necessary, given the existing gap in coverage, as only 40 per cent of Malaysians are currently protected by private insurance.

The amendments would also allow workers to access health treatment, rehabilitation, and other necessary services in the event of an unforeseen incident, ensuring their survival and helping maintain a competitive workforce in the country.

Mis-selling Investment Linked Policy

Consumer complaints against investment-linked insurance policies (ILPs), hybrid products which allow one to invest and get insurance coverage at the same time, are at a high. 

Record Complaint - The number of complaints hit a peak in 2024 at 211, from 55 claims in 2023, according to the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (Fidrec). In the first half of 2025, the claims dipped to 57, but still exceeds the 2023 full-year figure.

Many of the complaints pertain to market misconduct, which refers to practices like mis-selling or misrepresentation, inadequate disclosure of information about the ILP product or giving inappropriate financial advice. 

The rise in the complaints was first highlighted at the annual conference of the Association of Financial Advisers Singapore on July 24. Consumers try to resolve the issue with their financial institution or insurer, failing which they can approach Fidrec for help.

Investment Linked Policy - the majority or 57 per cent of ILP-related claimants are aged 50 and below, according to claims data from 2022 to the first half of 2025. Those who are in the 61 and above age cohort comprise 16 per cent of claimants, while the remaining 27 per cent of complaints are made by those who are between 51 and 60 years old.

ILPs have seen strong growth since 2022 as consumers turn to them for their investment and insurance needs. New ILP business grew by 72 per cent to $2.25 billion in 2024, from $1.31 billion in 2022.

The positive momentum for ILPs continued into the first half of 2025, with new business increasing 31.3 per cent from the same period a year earlier to $1.28 billion. These ILPs are geared towards investments and returns. As such, the insurance coverage is minimal at an additional 1 per cent to 5 per cent of the total premiums paid.

Such plans can often be bought without medical underwriting because the insurance risk to the insurer is small. The other type of ILPs, the protection-oriented ones, offer substantial insurance protection in the event of death. The death benefit, in this instance, is usually expressed as a multiple of the total premiums paid. 

The variety of ILP options in the market can be confusing for the consumer. Fidrec found during its mediation sessions that most consumers do not really understand what an ILP is.
Many thought that it is some kind of endowment policy or savings policy that will give them regular returns. But the returns actually fluctuate depending on how the chosen sub-funds in the ILP perform in the markets. Sub-funds are investment funds that are managed by professional fund managers and available only to policyholders of the ILP plan.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) - is seeking feedback on whether these ILPs should be classified as complex products, with a prominent red band to alert customers of such. A spokesperson said the returns of an ILP are subject to the sub-funds’ performance and ongoing insurance premium charges.

These factors, the spokesperson noted, are generally beyond investors’ control and are not known beforehand, so it is difficult for them to get a gauge of the ILP’s risk and return characteristics.

The MAS spokesperson said that financial institutions (FIs) and their representatives are required to demonstrate that they have considered their clients’ needs and financial circumstances before recommending suitable investment products to them.

Material information, such as a product’s features, fees and charges, as well as associated risks, must also be clearly communicated and disclosed,” the spokesperson added. There are real-life cases study where a financial adviser had failed in his duty to his clients.

The adviser mis-sold an ILP as a plan that would allow the customer to earn relatively higher interest rates than what fixed deposits offer. Example is a 63-year-old stallholder with primary school education and is not proficient in English. He planned to retire in about five years’ time and was looking for a stable source of income after retirement.

Policyholder took up the policy and later realized that he had purchased an investment-linked plan that is invested in high-risk equity funds. The capital was not guaranteed and he realised he could potentially get back less than what he put in at the end of the 10-year term.

Fidrec further found out during the mediation session that the financial adviser had put in the sales documentation that this policyholder has a high-risk appetite and a long investment horizon, which is inconsistent with his profile. The financial adviser had also conducted the sale in Mandarin but had documented that the policyholder is proficient in English.

The customer was subsequently awarded a refund amounting to 70 per cent of the premiums paid less any dividends received.

Financial Advisor Abusing Customers - financial advisers may have focused on “selling the ILP product” instead of taking a planning approach. Financial advisers are supposed to map out a financial plan with clients and from that plan, determine suitable financial products for them.

A product-led rather than planning-led approach could lead to bad outcomes for ILP sales. ILPs are often marketed with attractive customer incentives that result in overcommitments or impulse buying.

In the context of the above case study, a policyholder is the stallholder), is a selected client. Selected clients refer to those who meet any two of the following criteria:

(1) They are 62 or older
(2) They are not proficient in spoken or written English

(3) They have below O- or N-level certifications, or equivalent academic qualifications

The MAS spokesperson said financial institutions must implement additional safeguards when recommending products to selected clients.

For instance, before the sale can be completed, a supervisor from the financial institution must call the customer to check if he understood the product features and its associated risks, the spokesperson added.

From Dec 29, 2025, there will be additional requirements, including having a trusted individual such as a family member or caregiver present with the selected client, during the sales and advisory process.

MAS will take firm enforcement action against an errant financial institution and its representative, if there is any wrongdoing.

The spokesperson said enforcement actions taken range from public reprimands and composition penalties, such as monetary fines, to prohibition orders.

MAS also publishes its enforcement actions on its website to send a deterrence signal to the industry.

Self Awareness & Protection  - The regulations are in place to protect investors. They too, can play a part in their own investments. Policyholder should not sign off on any documents that they have not read or that they do not understand. It is important for people to realize that when they sign off on the document, it means that they have read and accepted the terms.

While some may say that the policy documents are too long and not possible to read, consumers can look out for phrases like “not guaranteed” and “possible loss of the principal amount invested. They can also watch out for certain behaviors that are red flags.

If the financial adviser is pressuring them to sign quickly because the promotion will expire, this is a red flag. There is a free-look period of 14 days from the receipt of the policy document and consumers can decide to cancel the policy during that period so there is “no real reason to have to hurry to make an investment decision

Another red flag consumers should watch out for is whether their financial adviser takes the signing of policy documents as a checkbox exercise, telling them to “sign here, here and here”, without going through the documents.

No Guarantee - Ultimately, consumers could consider three factors when deciding whether an ILP is suitable for them. 

First is whether one has the risk appetite for the product. ILP returns are not guaranteed and investment risks are borne by policyholders, he noted, adding that consumers should ask themselves if they are comfortable with the possibility of their ILP returns being affected by market volatility.

Consumers also need to consider their financial situation. Do they have enough savings and a stable income to maintain premium payments over the planned long term.

Customer will need to consider their insurance protection needs. What is the level of insurance coverage they need from the ILP, bearing in mind that higher insurance coverage may reduce the amount invested for growth.

ILPs are not designed for short- to mid-term investments and are more suitable for customers who have an investment horizon of at least 10 years or more. There is no one-size-fits-all. Some customers prefer the convenience of an ILP, combining protection and investment under a single plan. However, this comes at a cost because customers will have to pay for the insurance coverage.

Alternatively, others may prefer to “buy term, invest the rest”, which essentially means separating their insurance protection from their investments. This typically involves purchasing affordable term life insurance and investing the rest of the money, which would otherwise have gone into an ILP.

Protecting Gig Workers

The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) on August 25 tabled the Gig Workers Bill 2025, which it described as a major milestone in the bid to regulate gig work and protect millions of workers.

The Bill, which was passed on August 28, came after years of protests over what workers alleged to be exploitative practices by internet-based companies, fuelling demand for safeguards in a multi-billion-ringgit industry that largely operates outside laws governing formal employment.

About 1.2 million Malaysians currently earn through gig work, with e-hailing emerging as the most prominent sector, according to Kesuma data.

What is the Gig Workers Bill 2025?
The ministry said the Gig Workers Bill 2025 provides a clear legal framework to protect the rights and welfare of gig economy workers, starting with a clearer and broader definition of what constitutes gig work and which types of workers are protected under this law.

Who qualifies as a gig worker under the new law?
Any individual who:

1. Has entered into a service agreement with an entity or platform provider

2. Performs services for a platform provider or earns income through the following activities:Acting or singing
Film production crew work
Lyric writing or music composition
Make-up artistry
Hairdressing or styling
Freelance journalism
Care services
Videography
Photography


Why is the Bill important?
This Bill is considered a significant step because it seeks to address several key issues faced by gig workers. This includes the lack of legal recognition — gig workers do not have a clear legal definition, making it difficult to seek legal recourse in disputes — as well as the absence of social protection.

The new law makes social security contributions — such as those to Perkeso and EPF — mandatory for service providers, giving gig workers a safety net they previously lacked.

The law also establishes a formal dispute resolution mechanism, including a Gig Workers Tribunal, to handle complaints in a structured and transparent way.

When can gig workers escalate complaints for mediation?
Under the Bill, gig workers may seek mediation in cases involving:

1. Issues with individuals or sole proprietors who engage themDecisions by a platform provider that affect them, such as:
Deactivation of their access

2. Alleged misconduct

3. Absence of an internal grievance mechanism by the contracting entity

4. Dissatisfaction with the outcome of an internal grievance process, if one exists

The Bill also addresses income protection by seeking to regulate payment terms that would require companies to clearly define how they will remunerate those they hire.

The Bill would also prohibit arbitrary deductions.

What are the weaknesses of the Bill?
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), for one, said the Bill is still missing provisions for wage guarantees, timelines for payment and transparency in deductions.

The law prohibits arbitrary deductions, but allows exceptions for overpayments and other legally authorised cases — a provision critics say lacks clarity and may be open to misuse.

Suhakam had also raised concerns about privacy and data protection — the Bill does not explicitly protect a gig worker’s right to privacy and does not prevent the misuse of personal data in rating or scoring systems by platform providers.

It also argued that legal aid and collective bargaining rights are indispensable for ensuring fairness in the gig economy.

Various groups, including e-hailing and p-hailing workers, have called for the Bill to be reviewed by a Parliamentary Select Committee and not rushed through Parliament.

Who Is Candelaria Rivas Ramos?

Many people believe being a top athlete requires having the latest equipment or grueling training; but sometimes, the most important element is determination. The perfect example of this is Candelaria Rivas Ramos, a 30-year-old indigenous ultra marathon runner. She conquered the 63-kilometer (51.57 miles) 2025 Canyon Ultra Marathon - and had no previous experience in competitions of this kind.

Rivas Ramos is a member of the Rarámuri, an Indigenous people based in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. They live in a remote area with high mountains and deep gorges in the Sierra Madre Occidental range. Due to their fairly isolated location, the Rarámuris are used to traveling long distances by foot—often in sandals—turning them into proficient runners.

The ultramarathon took place in the town of Guachochi, and featured a traditional Rarámuri blessing—a nod to the importance and sacred attachment between the people and their abilities to run long distances. The bond is so strong that the word “Rarámuri” even stands for “foot runner,” “light feet,” or “they who walk well. Some Tarahumara hunters will run their prey to exhaustion, rather than using bow and arrow or bullets.

Rivas Ramos finished the race in 7 hours and 34 minutes, earning first place in the female competition. And as if that achievement wasn’t enough proof of her endurance, she also walked 14 hours just to get to the starting line from her distant home. After the race, she told the press that she had no training other than her regular life around the mountains.

“I already knew about the race that takes place here every year. I had never participated, but I came here this year to sign up for it around April,” she said. Rivas Ramos shared that she was inspired to run in the ultramarathon after seeing runners in her community return from races with a medal around their necks. She also dedicated the win to her family, and took home a prize of 7,000 Mexican pesos ($370). Beyond her community, Rivas Ramos’ achievement has inspired people around the world with her determination and ability to make the most out of her humble conditions.