There is a saying by John Burroughs, "Leap and the net will appear." I put that concept to the test during my second World Cup competition overseas. The fog moved in and we could barely see thirty feet in front of us. No one wanted to disappoint the Japanese organizers, who were new to the circuit, so instead of saying, "Why don't we cancel the event?" the officials went to the next best "reasonable" response: "We'll just hold the women's contest." Being new to the circuit myself, I was hardly in a position to protest.
I made my way up to the in-run with the rest of the female skiers. As we prepared to take our first practice jumps, I turned to the other women and asked, "How do we do this if we can't even see the jump?"
Again, the response was not one I was too happy about. "Don't worry, you'll be able to see the jump just before you get to it," a Norwegian woman replied.
I nodded and smiled weakly. One by one, the athletes disappeared into the fog and we would hear someone yell to us, "Jump's clear!" Before I knew it, it was my turn to venture down into the sea of mist.
Sure enough, when I was within twenty-five feet of the jump, I made out its red spray-painted lines. I swung my arms and launched myself into a cloudy abyss. It was a terrifying experience, but a worthwhile one, for two hours later I had won my first World Cup competition.
"Leap and the net will appear."
Motivational Weight Management Tip
My experience of working with the Biggest Loser contestants and Symtrimics has inspired me to leave motivational diet, health, and wellness tips at the end of all of my blogs. These tools will be driven from the actual advice shared in my weekly motivational Transformation Talks. This week's tip: Find people who will support you and make you a better, more productive person. Today, stop and ask yourself if your support system is actually helping you to become that way. Do you like who you are when you are around your friends and colleagues? Consider whether members of your social network are supporting you or draining you. The road to a fitter you will only be enhanced by a strong support system.