You Are Strong!
You Are Stronger Than You Think!
I've been sitting in my living room, working and watching the Paris 2024 Olympics, and I just have to say that the USA Women's Gymnastics team is teaching us all so many amazing lessons! I watched their performances and heard their stories this week, and every single time, I was nearly overwhelmed with the way these women are bringing messages of hope and perseverance into conversation with the WORLD (I might have even cried on my exercise bike during the medals ceremony. You'll never know!) I am so excited to see what their experiences and further mentorship create for future women and athletes who are watching their every move, just like us!
Powerful comes in every size. When we work to refine our skills and talents, and to make our dreams come true, it doesn't matter how small we may feel, we are powerful! These women are examples to us all that we can do things that seem impossible on the surface. They are examples of the results you can achieve when you're focused, disciplined, and willing to take on fear and do it anyway. If you're as amazed as I am at what they can do physically, let's just take a moment and also consider all the things they have achieved mentally to get where they are.
You do the best you can. This means you sometimes step out for recovery. And sometimes you step up to shine. Sunni Lee's story came with a visceral reaction for me, as I learned about her struggles with two kidney diseases over the last several years. Her fight to find answers, her determination to get back to a place where she could work towards her next goals—those things were so relatable if you also have a chronic illness and big dreams! What I loved about her story was the fact that she chose to take the time she needed to find the right way to treat her body, and put the work in to get her wellness back to a level where she could make a comeback. That takes immense determination. She believed in her body's ability to heal, even though I'm sure that was hard, and probably met with skepticism by some. We often are encouraged to surrender to "the reality" of chronic disease, to change our dreams and goals, and live with "a new normal". Sunni Lee's story shows that we can take a different path, with good health support and a resolve to do whatever it takes to support whatever our unique bodies need. I know her story will inspire me to keep going on rough days to come!
Your mental health is priceless. Simone Biles stepped out of the spotlight last year to deal with her mental health. There were people at the time who said it was the end of her career, that she wouldn't be able to come back from that—both personally, and baed on what it meant about her reputation. At the time, I was amazed at her strength. Taking that risk was brave. And it told a story that really made each of us examine what we value in our own lives and work. Do you keep going and striving for the next achievement no matter the cost? Or do you take the time to ask yourself what the next achievement might mean if it comes at the price of your sanity or your self-worth? Simone showed us that even the biggest prizes, the highest goals, are sometimes not worth compromising your mental health. And, she also showed that patience allows us to take the long game seriously—you can take the time you need, and your goals are still achievable. No matter what you're trying to do, you don't have to run headlong to the finish line, and feel like a failure if you don't make it the first time, or in your early 20's.
Your support system MATTERS. The crowd was full of people cheering these athletes on. From parents, spouses, siblings, friends, and even other high-achieving athletes...the room was filled with people supporting and showing up for these women. You could see that they felt the love. I know how difficult it can feel to do something when you feel alone. Simone Biles even brought that up, sharing how in the last Olympics her family was unable to be there, and she felt the loss of their presence as she attempted to perform in a time that was already a low point for her. We can all relate to that! My hope is that I can remember that I have support when I need it, and that I do a great job of making my support available to others I know. So that none of us feel we have to go it alone. Our collective of amazing women is possible because we are all here for each other!
Take the time to be healthy. Think of how strong and healthy these women looked in Paris, and remember that each of them had to intentionally put the work in to get that way. Each of them had to overcome so much in order to make it to the medal podium. In a way, I'd guess that each one of them felt that the struggles they went through made their wins this week even more meaningful to them personally than if they'd had smooth sailing into the 2024 Olympics. They should be so proud!
What are you facing right now in your own life? Do you need to step back and take better care of your body or your heart? Do you need some support? You have the strength in you to make the changes you need in order to show up for your dreams. And you have people in your life who are just waiting for you to say you need them. Chase Your Dreams. Do one things this week to set yourself up for success. I'll be doing the same, over here in my corner of the world!
