Have you ever stopped to think about those sneaky little thoughts hiding in the depths of your mind? You know, the ones that whisper, "Don't aim too high, girl. Stay cozy in your comfort zone. Dream big? Nah, that's too risky. What if you fail? Let's just wait and see..." Well, it's time to kick those thoughts to the curb and unleash your inner greatness!
Oh, and by the way, before we dive in, a big shoutout to all the amazing moms out there—Happy Mother's Day!
Your negative Self-Talk is the hand-break of your life
We've all had those thoughts, and believe me, I'm no exception. But every time I've mustered the courage to be authentic, to be true to myself and pursue my wildest dreams, incredible things have happened.
Sure, I've been scared out of my wits and taken leaps of faith, thinking, "If this doesn't work out, I'm in for some serious trouble..." It took immense belief and bravery to go for it, even with my little scaredy-cat alter ego whispering in my ear. I left my home country of Finland as a naive 20-year-old with a couple of hundred in my pocket and a big dream.
"We still have the right to dream, and our dreams are still within our reach. But as we journey through life, we must consciously overcome our judgments and kick our fears from past experiences in the head, embracing our own awesomeness. Whatever that may look like for each of us."
Those wise words from Jen Scincero really struck a chord with me.
When I had to give up my lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic athlete in cross-country skiing, I felt like my world had crumbled. I lost my outlet for taking risks and going all in. But I needed a new playing field to grow, so I packed my bags and left my small hometown of 30k people in northern Finland for the bustling capital of Norway, Oslo. I didn't speak Norwegian, I was broke, I knew nobody, and I had no job or place to stay. But guess what? I went for it anyway! Terrified yet exhilarated, I took a massive risk, and while it wasn't easy, I made it happen. And you know what? I absolutely love it!
Here's what I've discovered: When you embrace your true self, speak your truth, and silence those pesky old beliefs that were probably implanted in your mind during childhood, the sky becomes your limit. As human beings, we're barely scratching the surface of our true potential. As a young adult, I was fortunate enough to lead a life where I took risks and didn't conform to societal norms.
Of course, I went through periods where I felt completely lost and alone, even battling bouts of depression. But those tough times were necessary for my growth and transformation into the person I am today. After all, diamonds are formed under immense pressure, right?
Time To Stop The Party-Crashers
Are you tired of those pesky self-limiting thoughts sneaking into your mind like uninvited party crashers? Well, fear not, my friends, because we're about to embark on a rollercoaster of emotions, sprinkled with laughter and inspiration. Brace yourselves!
Part 1: Unveiling Your Superpower
So, you're probably wondering how to silence those naysaying voices in your head. Let's face it, our thoughts are like our own personal cheerleaders or relentless critics. It's time to recruit an all-star team of positive thoughts to have our backs! Picture this: your mind as a glitzy stadium and your positive thoughts as the roaring crowd. Now that's a pep rally worth attending!
But first, we need to dig deep and ask ourselves the ultimate question: "Why the heck do we want to chase our dreams?" Seriously, folks, it's time to unleash our inner detectives and solve this mystery. If you can't answer that question, well, let's just say the road ahead might be bumpier than a pothole-infested highway. If your "why" involves someone else, like your cat or your goldfish, hey, you've got a better shot at making it! So, folks, channel your inner Sherlock and figure out that "why"! Here's a helpful homework that'll help you nail your true Why.
Part 2: Thriving in the Ring of Fire
Now that we've uncovered our secret motivations, get ready for the ultimate test: life's equivalent of a kickboxing match with a grizzly bear. Brace yourselves, my friends, because this is where things get tough. Life will throw more curveballs your way than a clumsy baseball pitcher, testing your resolve and dedication. Will you cling to your dreams with the tenacity of a spider monkey or scamper back home with your tail between your legs? The choice is yours!
Remember, courageous souls, going all-in takes guts, nerves of steel, and maybe a touch of insanity. I've relocated more times than a nomadic goldfish, taken risks that would make Evel Knievel proud, and reinvented myself more times than Madonna's wardrobe. Sometimes it feels like playing Tetris with your life, folks. Break those seemingly insurmountable obstacles into bite-sized pieces, and voila! Suddenly, they're as manageable as a penguin in a tuxedo.
Part 3: Confronting the Fan Hit
Picture this: life decides to have a fan-hitting frenzy, spraying you with challenges left and right. But guess what? You've got a secret weapon in your arsenal—the mental toolbox. Yes, folks, it's time to whip out your metaphorical wrenches, screwdrivers, and duct tape. This toolbox is jam-packed with memories and lessons from those moments when you summoned the courage to face hell head-on and survived.
One super helpful tool in my series of Fan Hit Episodes is Calm App. I find starting my day with a solid 10min meditation just sets me up for a day of facing the S"%&t just hit the fan moments.
Remember those moments, my friends, because they're your secret weapons!
Life isn't happening to you; it's happening for you.Tony Robbins
Embrace the lemons life throws your way and turn them into a fruit salad of growth. You've got this! Let your experiences fuel your confidence and banish those negative thoughts to the land of forgotten sock mates. You're not just the protagonist of your own story; you're the superhero!
Ditch Procrastination
Alrighty, folks, get ready for a wild ride of emotions! Today, we're diving headfirst into the scary world of facing our fears. But fear not, because we're armed with a sense of humor and a dash of emotional strength. Buckle up, because it's about to get real!
Part 1: The Curious Case of Limiting Thoughts
You know those thoughts that pop up in our heads, the ones that say, "You can't do it!" or "Who do you think you are?" Well, it's time to put on our detective hats and investigate. Use these two sheets to investigate who your "Negative Nelly" really is. Don't just swallow those knee-jerk reactions to challenges; take a moment to analyze them. Are they your true beliefs, or are they just imposters trying to sabotage your awesomeness? Stay curious, my friends, and doubt those doubters! Start by asking, "why not me".
AND START LIVING THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE
Unleashing the Beast Within
Let's talk physical performance, my fellow warriors. Our minds have this annoying "central governor" theory, where they scream, "Stop, you're reaching your limits!" long before our bodies actually give up.
But guess what? We're not falling for that trick! Picture this: I'm in the middle of a gruelling workout, my legs on fire, my lungs gasping for air, and my mind going all mushy on me. I want to stop and take a breather, but I won't.
Because I know better.
Embracing the journey of FIRST. My first marathon, first time riding in the desert, first open water swim, and first triathlon. All "Firsts" I will never get back.
I push through the tingling, the burning, and the self-doubt. And you know what? I conquer it! I'm like a superhero on a mission, running faster, faster, and feeling freaking amazing on the other side!
Try this next time you have a hard time getting out the door: Just Do The Warm Up. And know that starting is the hardest part. It truly is. Once you get going, it gets easier. After 15- 20 mins of your warm-up and your body is engulfed with Feel Good Hormones, asking for you to keep going.
So if you want to unleash your beast within, just commit to doing the warm-up. The chances are, you'll keep going.
The Mind's Gatekeeper
Our minds, my friends, they're like the bouncers of a fancy club. They think they know what's best for us, only allowing us to dig as deep as they deem necessary. But guess what? We can trick our minds and dive into "the well" of our untapped potential. Sure, we need to be careful not to overdo it, like training so hard we end up injured or overtrained.
But let's be real, we often underestimate our own capacity. It's time to unleash our true power and show our minds who's boss! Our minds can sometimes get us sidetracked. It is important to guard what goes in like that bouncer. Stop scrolling the IG, TikTok and garbage news and start carrying a book (yes, they still make those!) with you everywhere about a topic that will help you down the road!
Be your mind's Gatekeeper and do not allow garbage to go in. MJ
Training for Life, Not Just Races
Listen up, folks, the journey to greatness wouldn't be complete without a shoutout to my rock, my husband. You need a solid support team for both life and your races. Training for races is a mini-practice to train for life. And without support, you just can't do it. He's been by my side, supporting my Ironman dreams like a superhero sidekick. I couldn't have done it without him.
Oh, and speaking of mom guilt, that sneaky little devil deserves its own blog post! We'll tackle it later, but trust me, we're busting through that guilt like superheroes breaking down walls!
So, my fellow warriors, armed with humour, curiosity, and a dash of emotional strength, we're conquering our fears, smashing our limits, and defying mom guilt. Life throws its curveballs, like the pesky Covid-19 pandemic, but we're staying patient and creative.
We're training not just for races but for the grand adventure called life.
So, brace yourselves, my friends, because we'll be ready to conquer whatever comes our way with a smile on our faces and a superhero cape fluttering behind us!
Stay tuned for more epic tales of triumph, my comrades!
Until Next Time,
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