Obstacles Make Me Stronger

I do a lot of things to intentionally get out of my comfort zone and get to new levels mentally, physically and spiritually. I’ve walked on fire, jumped in frozen lakes, broken boards with my bare hands, given speeches to massive crowds, and taken teenagers to foreign countries but I don’t think anything has stretched me as much as today’s Heroic Spartan in 100°+ Texas heat.

What I learned from my first Spartan Sprint:

1. I can do hard things, but I don’t have to do them all by myself. I completed a LOT more obstacles than I thought I would - thanks to my Heroic Buddy & childhood friend @heroicnurse. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and she shared her strength and experience with me every step of the way (from the day we signed up for Heroic Coach Certification to the fire jump before the finish line today)!

2. It is a good idea to stop smiling when going under the dunk wall because it takes a while to get the mud out of your teeth.

3. The feeling I got at the finish line was a higher high than I ever got from drugs or alcohol.

4. Getting changed at the end should count as another obstacle.

5. My best effort doesn’t have to be the same as everyone else’s because we are all at different points on the journey.

6. I didn’t really fail on any of the obstacles I missed because I learned how I can better prepare for next time.

7. Perception and past experience influenced how I approached the obstacles I was afraid of (walls) AND the ones I was excited about (mud) and that was a blatant parallel to other obstacles in my life.

8. A little encouragement goes a LONG way - “Let’s go Hero!”

9. When I listen to my body, it takes good care of me.

10. MOST importantly: The Heroic community is UNBELIEVABLY INCREDIBLE and I’m so grateful for everyone who had strength for two (especially on the walls) +1 (& an identity shift) I AM an athlete