I have never really considered myself a competitive person. Actually, I was a painfully shy kid from a big family of big personalities – which made it easy to ‘belong’ without having to do much more than be present.

At a young age I became very sick. I had a brain tumor and suffered many seizures – which began to alienate me from my tribe and made it very difficult for me to develop relationships with new people. Don’t get me wrong, my family tribe always loved and supported me, but I found myself beginning to retreat more and more to avoid any embarrassing situations. 

In 1989, the day after I turned 11, I had surgery to remove my tumor and never again had a seizure. What I did have was a really bad habit of avoiding people and conversation. This lingered well into my college career, where I got a crash course on socializing thanks to my awesome roommates who loved me no matter how awkward I could be.

Fast forward to the age of 41 and I still wouldn’t consider myself a competitive person… but I am a person who gets thrills from accomplishing things, and I really love big plans. I feel the need to push myself out of my comfort zone not because I’m competing with anyone, but because I can. And when I do, I’m exploring the things that thrill me. It makes me feel alive and grateful for every opportunity.

Through all this soul searching, I’ve learned that building relationships with people does thrill me after all – in a big way actually. Especially when it’s based on an adventure or a common goal. At Boutique Fitness it’s easy for me, as a coach, to get excited about goals and progress within our tribe. It means so much to know that you’re letting us in and allowing for us to help inspire a life that thrills YOU. I don’t take this lightly. In fact, you have inspired me to look a little further and truly explore my own adventure. You inspire me to lead by example 🙂

Last year I ran a 25K in Faial to celebrate my 40th birthday. This year I rowed in the X International Regatta in the Açores (my 4th International regatta to date), and next year I’m planning to run another trail run in the Açores (October 2020). None of which would be possible or enjoyable on my own. As far as I’m concerned, each adventure calls for friendship, new and old. 

This is what thrills me. A personal challenge/adventure met with friendship and camaraderie. The ultimate goal is to have the time of my life. I feel very fortunate that the need to win does not bog this down. I mean, don’t get me wrong… who doesn’t like to win? But what I really love is to know that I can do just about anything and keep it fun.

I’m sharing this with you so you can move forward with your goals and your adventures and maybe not take yourself so seriously. Life is short, but good times are abundant. Not every second of my 25k was a fun, but overall it was like running though a fairytale and I truly had the time of my life. Same for this year’s regatta, and I insist on the same for next year’s trail run (3 islands, 3 days, 100k?)

So what have you had on your mind that maybe scares you a little… but could very well be the time of your life? 

xo
Lara