Barriers and Blind Spots....It's a Team Effort, Pura Vida

We are always overcoming our own barriers! When you first start out it’s easy to see your limits, your barriers, the areas that hold you back. Your improvements are in leaps and bounds and hurdles you jump are huge victories and really often, also typically very obvious. 

In time you become more experienced, you may even become the “boss” or in charge, you are the one everyone knows has done it, been there, done that, achieved huge things and overcome many challenges. This is when it becomes harder and less obvious to see what we need to continue to push us in the right direction. The pool of people willing to speak up and push you through those doors becomes smaller and smaller. You are often less likely to see it yourself or you might not even expose any challenges you have because of the position you have grown to over the years. 

One of the things I have always said is my most valued teachers are my athletes. Nothing gives me more joy than to bring a person through their development and to see our partnership grow and evolve. In 20+ years of coaching each athlete teaches me something. I always thank my athletes for also pushing me to be my best, we are a team and collectively with our knowledge and experience we keep pushing our boundaries to be the best we can be. I have a big depth of experience and success with all different kinds of athletes in addition to my own athletic career. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding athletes right through even being coaches themself in addition to their own athletic results. We are forever growing together.

Jennifer and Dan created Pura Vida. Since the beginning I’ve wanted to join for a trip. They have kindly extended the invite each and every time. For various reasons I could never quite get there. This trip I FINALLY got to go. 

I knew the rides on this trip were Epic!! I also knew I was in the worst cycling shape I’ve been in for years heading here. I had been sick, couldn’t train and that was coupled with the year being the least amount of cycling I’ve done in years since February. I found myself in a position heading to a tough trip where I really didn’t know if I could actually complete the rides. I wasn’t even thinking about going fast….I  literally wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete them. Jennifer assured me if I couldn’t do a ride I could always take the day off, hop in the SAG or have a variety of bail out options. I not only had to completely put ego aside but I had to now PUSH THROUGH BARRIERS I never saw coming for me. I needed to be vulnerable enough to show up and take it pedal stroke by pedal stroke. I had doubts, I had fears, I had concerns. THIS is the moment when you are “further down the track” in your career you can either let ego stop you from going through those barriers, OR you can surround yourself with incredible people, trust them and let them push you right on throughout the other side. 

Thank you for an incredible week, pushing me through my doubts and continuing to help me be stronger everyday all while having fun!