SAMfit

Mindfulness is your ability to be aware of what you are thinking and feeling in the present moment.

For many us of we spend our days rushing from one thing to the next on our never ending to do list, without even being aware we activate our bodies natural stress response.

In this state our body goes into survival mode and starts shutting down unnecessary functions such as digestion and metabolism. The body, uncertain of when and from where it will next receive energy, begins storing fat. Sleep duration and quality will be affected as your body remains on high alert. Adrenalin dumps will provide momentary bursts of energy, but over time adrenalin will become depleted and energy levels will begin to decline as fatigue sets in. Sensing a threat, the immune system kicks things up a notch and is ready to attack but like adrenalin, over time, it also depletes itself and inflammation in the body starts to accumulate and we begin experiencing persistent aches and pains.

Unaware of the cascading chain of events happening in our body, we begin masking the problem, amping ourselves up with caffeine in the morning, indulging in sweet treats to keep us going through the mid-afternoon slump before winding down with alcohol in the evening.

We rely more and more on these coping mechanisms as become increasingly tired and isolated from what we feel and what the body is telling us we need. And so the cycle continues until eventually our body says no more and we wind up sick, injured or with a chronic illness.

Being aware of the present moment will not only help keep your body in better balance physiologically but better awareness of your thoughts and feelings will help you make better choices with everything from food and sleep to exercise and life direction.

It’s not about being a Zen master and spending hours in solitude meditating each day. A few simple techniques and practices that can be incorporated into your daily routines can do wonders for your physical health. Remember stress comes not from the event itself but from our response to the event.

Want to know more? Get along to our February SAMfit Ed session on Mindfulness where our amazing guest speaker will show you how shifting your focus can have powerful results in all aspects of your life!

Email info@SAMfit.com.au for session details.

As this year draws to a close many of us start thinking about those dreaded New Year’s resolutions. Whilst I am not a huge fan (you don’t need a certain date on a calendar to decide to make a change, right now is as good a day as any!), I do like their intention.

Resolutions in their purest form give you the opportunity to assess, to question what’s not working in my life right now and what steps can I take to rectify that.  Problem is we have bought into society’s rhetoric on how we should be living and what we should be doing and chasing… a slimmer waist, a bigger bank balance, a grueling exercise program, finding our passion, overhauling our diet, quitting smoking, taking extreme adventures. And this is precisely why most resolutions fail, and dismally. Because what we resolve to do isn’t really aligned with who we are.

So this year instead of regurgitating the same old resolutions you have been throwing around since 1995, instead ask yourself these 4 questions.

1. What do I stand for? 

What values do I hold and want to live my life by? Knowing this is crucial. Your values are like your moral compass and will guide all the actions you take in life. If you are unsure about what you stand for, your actions and commitment will be wishy washy at best. As the old saying goes, ‘if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything’. Get clear on who you are and only choose goals that are truly in alignment with your values.

You want to get fit, yet your favourite activities in life are Netflix and gaming on the couch?… you value entertainment over movement. You want to eat better, yet you live on fast food and would rather lose a limb than set foot in the kitchen and cook a meal?… you value convenience or taste over health. Now this is not to say these aren’t great goals but until you are truly aligned with something, the commitment isn’t there. And without commitment whatever you are working towards remains just a nice idea rather than a non-negotiable and at the first sign of challenge you will throw in the towel.

2. Am I doing what I want to be doing? 

Am I where I want to be financially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, socially, professionally, geographically? What are your secret desires? The things that challenge you and fulfill you?

Personal growth and fulfillment is one of the 5 basic needs of humans. Without it, life will seem somewhat blah, like you are just going through the motions. Don’t be afraid to think big. If money, time or other commitments were not an issue what would I do? Whatever the answer, find ways to incorporate this or at least aspects of this into your life on a regular basis.

3. Do I worry too much about what other people think? 

Do you put other people’s ideas, feelings and expectations ahead of your own?  So many of us live for other people. We don’t do things because we are worry about what others will think of us. But in doing so we relinquish control of our own future.  Worry does not empty tomorrow of uncertainty or disappointment, it merely empties today of strength by trapping you in a fear cycle.  As Lucille Ball says, “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than the things I haven’t done”.

4. How would I like to be remembered? 

Too often we get caught up in the hustle of day to day life. We stop doing the things we want to do in favour of the things we should be doing on the gamble that we will have time to do them later. For many, later ever comes.

Research show at the end of their life most people wish they’d worked less, taken more risks, had more fun, loved more and spent more time with friends. It’s easy to say these things are important to us but ask yourself honestly how does my life stack up against this?

The quality of your life is a direct result of the quality of the questions you ask yourself. The answers to these questions will give you the guidance regarding what is truly important to you – not your spouse, your friends, your work colleagues or society at large. Pursuing things we believe we should do as opposed to what we want to do not only lowers adherence but also happiness and fulfillment. So this year, ask yourself what is truly important and have the courage to follow the answers.

Looking for some support? The SAMfit community is more than just a workout. Coming as a core offering in 2018, our mindset and lifestyle program, SAMfit Ed, gives the tools and skills to set yourself up for success, in fitness, in health and in life!

I’m a relatively new SAMfit gal, having struggled for many years to find the motivation to get into shape (other than the “round” shape).

In my twenties, I was very active, playing a lot of different sports, cycling and hiking a lot. Then I went back to university and began substituting my treks in the bush with treks from my desk to the fridge and it wasn’t long before the increase in my knowledge was being surpassed by the increase in the size of my butt!  The study ended but my habits did not and my addiction to snacking matured to cheese, bikkies and red wine.  My weight however, seemed to stabilise and I was happily getting on with life.  Then one day, I was woken by my hubby waving a Happy Birthday card in my face with a big Four-Oh on it! That was like a slap in my face as I thought to myself “OMG I’m 40!.. and I forgot to have kids!”  So although hubby was dubious of the likelihood of us achieving such a feat at our ripe old ages, before long, the new addition to our family was on its way.

Having a new life to nurture seemed to agree with me and the day after my son was born, I was 6kg lighter than when I fell pregnant. Life was good.  I rediscovered my wardrobe of  “nice” clothes and felt healthy, alive and energetic (apart from the 4am feeds!) But once I stopped breast feeding, the wine started flowing again, and the 6kg came back and brought an extra 4kg with them… Suddenly, I didn’t feel great anymore!  I felt sluggish, unmotivated and very unfit.  I couldn’t even comfortably run around and kick a football with my son and it was time to do something about it.

Enter SAMfit!

I wanted something that would supplement my squash and Taekwondo but I’m not much of one for gyms and all the hype that goes along with them.  I like my exercise to be fun.  SAMfit provides that.  I like the Tabata style exercises, the circuits and working in teams or pairs. The small group size provides a cosy, supportive environment.

When I first started, Sam encouraged me to set myself some goals which helped to provide focus and structure to my training. The first was to be able to fit into my ski pants by the end of August so I could go skiing with a friend I hadn’t skied with for 15 years. Tick!  Mission accomplished (and the skiing was awesome!).  Now I’m working on improving my cardio fitness so that I can compete well at the Australian Masters Squash tournament in Ballarat in September and bring back another Australian trophy for my “pool room”.

Looking and feeling fabulous in a formal gown at my step-son’s wedding in October and developing the endurance to comfortably hike the walking trails on our Kimberley adventure in 2018 are next on the agenda. Sometimes life gets hectic and it would be easy to skip my sessions however the focus on my next goal helps me to push through those barriers, keep moving and try that bit harder.  For the next couple of weeks, I’ll just keep chanting to myself “Aussie champ in Ballarat!  Aussie champ in Ballarat!” to help me take on those dreaded burpees!

Other than New Year, there is probably no other time during the year that motivates us to make a fresh start like Spring does.  When the days get longer, the sun shines bright and the warm breezes start blowing, it feels like the perfect time to revitalise everything…home, mind, body and spirit.

As we clean out the old during this time of year, it’s a great time to come face to face with all those excuses for not getting fit and healthy.  Excuses are our thinking self’s way of justifying our feeling self’s lack of action and they pile up just like the clutter that we accumulate in our houses. Now it’s time to come clean.

What is your excuse for not choosing health?

I don’t have the time to exercise:  This is one of the most common excuses. You are busy.  You have to work, get the kids to school, cook dinner, do the shopping, clean the house, ferry the kids to activities care for your aging parents and the list goes on!.. there is simply no time for exercise.

Really?

Time is elastic. We cannot make more time but time will stretch to accommodate what we choose to put into it. It’s about priorities. We make time for the things that are important to us.  It’s not that we don’t have time to do x, y or z but that x y or z is not a priority for us and we don’t want to do it. Time is a choice.

What is your choice?

What value do you place on you?

Do you see yourself as a priority?

And consider this…

If you choose not to exercise, you will almost certainly begin experiencing the ailments that comes from an inactive lifestyle.  When you begin experiencing symptoms, you will have to find time to deal with it… doctors appointments, medications, trips to the physio, aches and pains etc etc. And with chronic conditions, this scenario will be played out month after month after month. And that takes a LOT of time.

Will you then find the time to see to your health issues?

Yes, of course you will. You will adjust your schedule and your life to accommodate your ailments.  So why not adjust your schedule now to accommodate prevention through exercise?

The truth is that if you do not make the time for exercise, eventually you will probably have to make time for illness. And exercise takes a lot less time out of your life than illness.

I don’t like to exercise: Again, a pretty common excuse. But it won’t let you off the hook.  Lots of people do not like to exercise, but they do it anyway. Do you like feeling tired? Do you like being overweight? Do you like huffing and puffing when you run around with your kids? As humans, we are motivated by either pleasure or pain. Instead of choosing the instant gratification that comes with pressing the snooze button or choosing Netflix over your next workout, consider the costs. It comes down to choosing your “dislike.” And experiment with different activities to find something you enjoy. When it’s fun, it becomes something you look forward to versus something you dread.

I don’t have the energy to exercise: If you are unfit, you likely have low energy. And when you don’t have much energy, the last thing you can imagine is exercising. But until you become more active, you will not have the energy you long for.  As you begin exercising, you will start having more energy and you will begin to look forward to the boost you receive from it.

It’s just not the right time for me to start working out. I”ll start working out when:

• I have more time
• Life calms down
• The kids get older
• The weather warms up a little
• The weather cools down a little
• I get some new workout clothes
• I get my house organized
• When I’m fitter/slimmer
• Someday…just not today

It will never be the perfect time to start a fitness routine.

You just have to start!

Everybody has excuses for not exercising. The fit and healthy people around you choose to give up the excuses and just do it. That doesn’t mean it is easy for them. It just means they love feeling energetic, strong, healthy, and empowered, more.

You can be that way too!

Looking for a workout crew to inspire you or some accountability with your choices… get along to a SAMfit session and experience our awesome community or try SAMfit Ed, designed to sharpen your mindset and provide you with the tools and skills to set yourself up for success, in fitness, in health and in life!

How many times have you thought about doing something then talked yourself out of it? 

Never. Great….stop now and keep doing your thing!

Often. Read on….

We as humans like our comfort zones and are very skilled at concocting elaborate stories to justify, rationalize and explain what we’re not doing and why.

Problem is, the very thing that serves us most as a species, the power of our mind, is the exact same thing that also holds us back!

Without a doubt, the first place we lose the battle is in our own thinking!

Your thought patterns, beliefs, internal dialogue and self-image form the mental blueprint of what you believe is possible for you.  Like a thermostat, it sets you at a level and you will perform according to that level.

And because life is a self-fulfilling prophecy, meaning we create what we deem to be true, we will always get what we believe we deserve versus what we might actually want. As the old saying goes, “Believe you can and you will. Believe you can’t and you won’t”. We cannot perform outwardly in a way that is inconsistent with how we think inwardly so if you lack the faith that you are capable of achieving your goals, your efforts will be halfhearted at best and you will give up at the first sign of difficulty.

Most experts believe people typically only use 10% of their true potential.

Why?

Not because we lack the capacity but because we don’t believe in ourselves. Because we are unwilling to expand our beliefs and break new ground.  To achieve you need to wake up everyday with a desire to learn, to explore and develop your strengths and go beyond your comfort zone.

So step back and take a look at how you view yourself.

Your thinking, choices, behaviours, resilience and commitment over time will shape your success.

Do what the majority won’t.

Step up when most give up.

Create opportunities, don’t wait for them.

Believe in yourself.

Sharpen your mindset and learn more about setting yourself up for success this August with a sneak preview of our new program, SAMfit Ed.  Check out the events section of our July Newsletter for details!

Author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” And each of us knows from our own experience that he is right.  The general flow of human life tends to be toward ease and comfort.  One day flows into the next, and many of us never quite get around to turning our good intentions into reality.

Those ‘good intentions,’ while no doubt admirable, tend to remain unrealised mainly because they are too vague.  Vague ideas are impossible to focus on and aim for – they are moving targets.

Do you have moving targets in your life?  Perhaps you want to eat healthier or lose those few kilos you have been carrying around for too long.  Maybe you just want to establish a regular workout routine and stick with it this time.

The keys to your success are two-fold:  steady the target and create momentum. 

How to stop a moving target

Imagine a target shooter trying to hit a small bull’s eye on a distant target.  He begins to aim, but then the target suddenly moves to the right, and before he can position himself to aim again, the target darts to the left.  Will he ever hit that target?  Unlikely.

Without setting specific goals, your good intentions are exactly like that moving target.

The way to steady the target so you can finally hit the bull’s eye is to define your goals and write them down:

• How much weight do you want to lose?
• What kind of changes do you want to make in your diet?
• How many days per week do you want to exercise?
• How much weight would you like to lift in your training?

Once you know where you want to end up, you are much more likely to get there.

But you have to start moving toward your goals.  That is where momentum comes in.

Create momentum to reach your goals

In his book, ”Eat that Frog”, Brian Tracy discusses the Momentum Principle of Success.  In Tracy’s words:

“This principle says that although it may take tremendous amounts of energy to overcome inertia and get started initially, it then takes far less energy to keep going.”

There is much wisdom in his words.  Sometimes, the hardest part of reaching a goal is just getting started.  That first day of doing things differently or the first experience of bypassing an unhealthy treat in favour of a food that will give you more energy can be daunting.  It isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t fun.

So how do you get that momentum?  How do you start moving?  Accountability is the answer.  Having someone else involved in your efforts can be the most important factor in your success.

It is hard to change lifelong habits on your own. Involving others in your efforts can help provide the support carry you through even the toughest temptations. And once you get started, you will find that the momentum principle kicks in and it becomes easier and easier to keep going.

Looking for support? Come experience the SAMfit community. You can do this. Success is within your reach.

Some days you have it and some days you don’t, but if you’re simply grinding your way through every single workout then it might be time to stop and dig a little deeper. Is exercise something you ‘want’ to do or merely something you feel you ‘have’ to do.

‘Want to’ goals lead to greater motivation as they are freely chosen by us and reflect genuine interest making them easier to incorporate into our daily lives.

‘Have to’ goals on the other hand are generally externally imposed making you feel constricted or deprived and often related to obligation, guilt, or avoiding shame eg your spouse saying you really need to that mummy tummy. When there is something personal and positive driving us, our efforts will be bigger and the benefits greater.

So for the greatest chance of success, always connect to your why. Fitness is an opportunity to care for, not punish our body.

“Hi, I’m Sam and I’m addicted to sugar”….

This was me a just a few years back. I’d used food as a vice my entire life and even when I managed to lose weight I still struggled with endless cravings and sweet food binges. Constant self-loathing about my lack of willpower and ability to take full control of my eating habits only pushed me closer to, not further away from, the next block of chocolate I would inhale without noticing, except when it came time to button up those jeans!

It wasn’t until I was in my late thirties that I realised how miserable this cycle was making me. I started reading about sugar and realised just how accurate the term ‘sweet poison’ truly was. Rather than a willpower (or lack of) issue, biologically sugar actually fuels our appetites making us seek out more and more of it in an attempt to satiate the body. When we consume any other fuel source there is a hormonal response in the body that signals to the brain we are full. However, no such response exists for sugar which is why once we start, it can be very difficult to stop. The brain doesn’t register it as fuel and so it continues to allow us to pump it into our bodies, like a fuel tank that never hits full. All this sugar then overloads the liver, messes with our insulin responses and is converted into stored energy – largely fat (in the liver, bloodstream and ultimately, our waistline). Not to mention the havoc it wreaks on our moods, sleep, energy and concentration levels.

If any of this sounds at all familiar there is a good chance you may also be fighting an addiction to the sweet white stuff that now dominates our food supply.

But I don’t even eat that much sugar, I hear you say.

Not that you are aware of…

It isn’t just the chocolate, lollies or teaspoon that goes in your coffee. Sugar is in everything from cheese slices to sauces and soups. Not to mention the sugar hit you get from yoghurt, juice, dried fruits, muesli bars and other so called healthy options! In just one century our average consumption has increased more than tenfold from just a few teaspoons a day and continues to rise each and every year. Sugar has become a very cheap and convenient (and detrimental) way to feed the masses.

So, if you are concerned about the impact sugar may be having on your body and want off the rollercoaster, here’s my top 5 tips to help kick the habit:

1.       Change your thinking

Quitting sugar is not a diet – it is breaking an addiction to a cycle of chemically induced highs and lows we inflict on our bodies every time we eat the sweet stuff.  If you feel like rubbish trying to get off of it, you have simply confirmed you are addicted and are doing the right thing for your body. You will no longer be a slave to the vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows that continuously leave you wanting more.  Instead try picturing how much better your body will function, free of this addictive substance.

2.       Identify your sugar habits

Most of us have triggers or danger periods for sugar consumption. Whether it’s a reward in the evenings for getting through a hard day at the office or with the kids (cue the evening bowl of ice cream or ½ packet of Tim Tams), an instant energy boost when you are lethargic from a poor night’s sleep or an automated response (a biscuit…or three with each cup of tea), it’s important to be brutally honest here. This is not about judging your consumption habits, simply becoming aware of them. Make a list of every and any situation which is associated with either sugar consumption OR a sugar craving.

3.       Change your habits

Armed with awareness you are now ready to go about creating change. Any habit consists of three things – cue, routine, reward. Above we identified cues and current routines. Now we begin to establish new routines (behaviours) to satisfy the same cue and reward. Logic and commonsense dictate that it is easier to adopt a new behaviour if there is something familiar at the beginning and end.

Once you dissect the habit it becomes easy to find a new routine that provides the same reward E.g. Instead of sitting down in front of the TV at night when you usually consume your ice cream, run yourself a bath instead. The pleasure reward is still there, but minus the sugar the old behaviour prompted.

Repeat this same process to create a list of avoidance/coping strategies for every possible sugar temptation situation you identified at Step 2. If you are prone to the dreaded afternoon slump at work, keep a jar of nuts on your desk to snack on instead of hitting up the vending machine or if the thought of a trip to the movies without a choc top is just too much to bear, maybe skip the movies altogether whilst breaking your addiction. Whatever the situation, having these coping mechanisms in place will mean you aren’t left high and dry when a craving hits and your defences are low.

4.       Eradicate

Remove ALL sugar from your house. You will never quit the sweet stuff if it remains readily accessible to you. Remember this isn’t a matter of willpower but of responses in your body. Whether you consume a little or a lot, ANY consumption will continue to feed the addiction. Sounds severe and yes, it is, but it’s not forever. Once you have broken your addiction and your body recalibrates, most can enjoy the odd indulgence without prompting a full-blown relapse but in the initial stages cold turkey is most effective.

5.       Withdraw

Now it’s time to act. Quitting sugar, even for a mild addict isn’t easy but it is definitely worth it. Exactly how difficult will be in direct proportion to how addicted you are. For me, headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, a constant and insatiable hunger, weakness, fatigue and mood swings were a feature of my life for weeks not just days.  However, once that fog starts to lift you will see food in a whole new light. When you come out the other side, you will not only think clearer, have more energy and brighter skin – you will begin to fully taste and enjoy food and be able to more easily regulate your appetite… and your waistline!

I joined SAMfit 2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I have made. Exercising at gyms has always been difficult for me as I struggle to motivate myself in that environment. I have always played team sports and find I am naturally motivated by the people I exercise and train with.

I wanted to find an encouraging personal trainer, operating in an outdoor setting. I found SAMfit through a friend and together we started our SAMfit journeys. I was looking to improve my overall strength and muscle tone and instantly I knew I’d found the right place.  Sam was great with technique and coaching and despite a very wet and rainy first session, I absolutely loved it and was hooked. Although that first winter wasn’t kind to me in terms of weather, I made great progress with my fitness and continued to look forward to each and every workout. As my time with SAMfit progressed and my fitness improved, I was driven to improve other aspects of my life including my diet. This is when my results really began to show. Combining both diet and exercise helped me totally transform my body. My greatest achievement since starting with SAMfit was feeling completely comfortable in my wedding dress on my recent wedding day.

Some women slow down once their big day is over but for me the progress I have made just inspires me to continue. Outside of my SAMfit sessions, I like to keep active by playing netball and taking my dog for walks. Working out helps clear my head, reduce my stress and just generally makes me feel good so even if I’m having an off day, I know I’ll feel great afterwards.  I love anything abs and especially look forward to the monthly SAMfit boxing sessions. It is such a fun and supportive environment. I feel very comfortable training with all the SAMfit members and am glad to have found and be part of this awesome community!

Staring at the mountain from the safety of the car, my heart skips a beat as I realise the enormity of the journey I am about to undertake. To say I feel a little intimidated would be an understatement but something amazing happens when you move beyond your comfort zone. You are faced with two choices—to rise to the challenge or retreat back to safety.

So I tighten my boots, secure my pack, steel my nerves and off I go…

Within 10 minutes the gradient kicks up and my heart starts thumping. My guide shoots me a smirk with the words “all those lessons you teach your clients Sam, you’re about to learn them all in a whole new way”.

I spend the next 15 minutes processing just how unsettling accurate this statement is likely to be.  My mind fights with me, questioning my ability and worthiness to even be on this mountain, attempting this climb. All the reasons to quit now start rushing into my mind. Luckily, I realise this response as fear, my body’s primal response to push me back to safety. So, with a deep breath, I summon every bit of courage I have and stare that peak down. Something in me shifts. My fear is replaced with belief and determination and I soon settle into a steady, comfy pace and enjoy the beauty of my surrounds.

An hour or so later comes challenge number two. Injury. What began as a dull ache in my butt swiftly turns to a burning sensation down the whole front of my hip and thigh. This is the very pain that has been wiping the floor with me in the months leading up to the climb. I knew this would happen, but nowhere near this early in the piece. Once again my mind starts chattering, questioning my ability to endure the pain for such a large portion of the climb. But, like it or not, the pain is here. I cannot control it, only my responses to it.

So I let these thoughts pass and instead focus on employing the strategies I have developed to deal with this obstacle. I’ve trained my body in different ways of walking to shift weight distribution and alleviate discomfort and I’ve trained my mind with walking meditation to manage the pain. A short break and some food revitalise me and once again I get over the hump and find my rhythm.

Scenery, sunshine, fresh air, movement… its Sam nirvana! This is exactly how I imagined this experience to be. I’m in my zone, that sweet spot where reality matches expectations. The mountain; however, has other things in store. Before I know it my nice little walking track and wilderness vegetation is swiftly replaced with a near horizontal gradient and nothing but rocks all the way to the summit. Its decision time. Either I fold or go all in. Refusing to waste the opportunity before me, I say goodbye to hiking and hello to my rock climbing debut.

There is no doubt I am out of my comfort zone, but I take each step in my stride. My pace slows but my determination does not. It’s tough, but manageable. But once again, the mountain is a harsh teacher. Before long, the gradient gets steeper, the rocks larger and the climbing harder. At times I am literally clinging to the side of this mountain. My focus narrows as adrenalin begins to flow through my body. I concentrate on one rock at a time, but my lack of skill is becoming evident and we are now fighting against daylight as well as my capability to reach the summit before dark.

My guide stops me and goes ahead to assess. Returning without his pack I am hopeful we are close to the top. That he has left his pack at the summit and will take mine to allow me to make the rest of the journey easier. But with one look at his face I can tell the reality of the situation is very different.

“Sam, I’m concerned. What lies ahead is increasingly more difficult and I’m not sure it’s within your capability. Your safety is now my primary concern.”

Even now I think: “What?!..No way, I’ve got this!”. But as my guide, I know his judgement is more sound than my own. No further words are spoken. I know the decision has been made and ultimately it is the right one.

Failure, disappointment, regret and exhaustion flood my body and I begin to cry. The feelings are overwhelming and for a moment I can’t move. The minute I take a step back down that mountain I have been defeated. Even now, my will is still fighting my capability.

“I’ve failed” is all I can utter. “Are you kidding me?!” he retorts. “Today you’ve done things you’ve never done or thought possible for yourself. How is that failing?! If you define success on a mountain as simply reaching the summit, you’re missing the point. It is the journey, not the destination that makes you great. It is with each step that you grow, learn and demonstrate what you are made of.”

As I lay in the tent that night my disappointment is replaced with pride. Did I reach the top, no. Did I give it absolutely everything I had, yes! I came for a life changing experience and that is exactly what I got. I learned so much more about myself than had I simply waltzed up an easier mountain just to see a sunset.

On the day the mountain turned out to be too great for me. But I will gladly pay the cost. In defeat I learned humility, self-awareness and what I need to do to improve and better position myself for success in the future.

So next time you are faced with a challenge, don’t run. Instead, be brave. Lean into your fear and grow. Nothing worth doing comes easy. If you want to be your best self, you need to stretch and in stretching, you must change your relationship with failure. It is not something to be feared but something to be encouraged. Understand and accept that on the path to success you will fail, (possibly many times), but it is with these experiences you will find the exact lessons you need to take you to the next level!

“I will come again and I will conquer you because as a mountain you can’t grow.

But as a human, I can”

 – Sir Edmund Hillary