This week I am encouraging you to tackle your fears head on.
I have talked in the past about the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone, but this week I am going to get a little more personal with that idea and try to give you a look inside as to why this idea is so important to me.
In 2010, I want you to face your fear head on. This means that within the next month I am giving you the task of selecting something you have always wanted to try to do, set a date, and go for it.
What do you have to lose?
In the last six years, I have done this, and every year it has served me well. No matter how big or small the fear seems to you, it has been my experience that it is worth it to face it and go for it.
I first attended a fitness weekend with an international fitness star on a whim at the very last minute six years ago. That did nothing but introduce me to a great friend and a contact in the fitness world who has lead me to fitness competitions, helped me through the death of both my parents, introduced me to a team of amazing personal friends in the industry, lead me to international events, introduced me to the world of fitness modelling, allowed me the opportunity to work international fitness expos, brought me out of my shell by giving me confidence, strength, determination, increased self esteem, allowed me to grow as a woman, as a Mom and as a leader.
The one small choice of attending a fitness camp for one weekend, oh so many years ago, has completely changed my life.
It is amazing to think back to that person I used to be. I had grown weary of my body, shy of my body, unconfident as a daughter, unsure as a mother, less sure as a wife and uncertain about my place in my own profession as a fitness leader.
I was lost.
I was sad.
I was scared.
I was depressed.
What my new friend saw was a strong, beautiful woman who could change the world, but first needed to find the strength to change herself. And that is what she gave me.
To this day, some six years later, whenever she and I cross paths I cry. I am not sure why, whether it is in a group of 100 women or we are one on one, I always find myself moved on every word she says. She gives me strength to move mountains.
Since I conquered that one fear, each and every other fear I have faced has become easier.
Here is my list of accomplished fears I want to share with you:
- I entered a figure competition knowing I was still too overweight to place, but also knowing I had lost 50 pounds and needed to finish the goal I had started.
- Re-introduce myself back into the personal training business I had left after having kids and being too self-conscious to think I had the right to tell others how to live their lives.
- Enter a fitness competition with no history of dance or gymnastics. Continue through with my competition even though I just found out my Mom was dying from cancer that same week.
- Enter a transformation contest after I had lost the weight and gained some of it back.
- Continue to my first international fitness event of over 17,000 athletes even though I had just lost my Dad and my step-mom a couple months earlier.
- Apply to become a national fitness presenter at a large fitness conference in Vancouver.
- Sign up for a spot at a fitness booth at the largest sports conference in the world in front of tens of thousands of people.
- Sign up for a modelling shoot with a national fitness magazine photographer.
All of these steps and fears along the way have lead the way to the next level in my career.
I have not succeeded to the full degree on every level, I have yet to win a competition, but I have absolutely paved my way to be a stronger, more determined, more fulfilled mother, wife, friend, trainer, competitor and woman.
And, more importantly, I have enjoyed living my life along the way.
Each step you take in your life to try something new, try something that might frighten you, try something that you believe may be a little beyond your ability; this will pave the way to a brighter, stronger, more in love with life, YOU.
Go out and conquer your world, your way; live and love your life.
This column is provided by Mrs. Lee Randell, independent fitness consultant, who is an ACE certified advanced health and fitness specialist and personal trainer. You can reach her at www.mrsleerandell.com.
