CHASING MAVERICKS
I am a sucker for movies about the underdog who conquer the challenge of a lifetime. I love rooting for the little guy. Their success is proof that regular folks like you and me have a shot at achieving our dreams too.
One of my favorite underdog movies is Chasing Mavericks which tells the true story of surfing legend Jay Moriarty, and his journey to surf gigantic waves called mavericks. Few professional surfers have ever conquered a Maverick – let alone a 15-year-old kid from the wrong side of the tracks. To achieve his dream, Jay forms a bond with a legendary local surfer named Frosty who is a bit of a recluse.
Frosty trains Jay in unconventional manners that focus not just on the physical, but the mental and spiritual too. A critical part of this training is conquering the fear inside – the same major roadblock many of us have on our own journeys. Sometimes that fear is personal. Other times it’s tainted by other people’s fears. Either way, if we can’t get past that fear, our chances of success decrease dramatically.
Frosty asks, “What are you afraid of? You’ve got a chance to change everything. Take it. This is about more than just surfing. This is about choices you make in life. This is about finding the one thing that sets you free. You need to believe in yourself or none of this matters.”
Believing in yourself isn’t easy. Nor will the path to success be smooth and comfortable. Life rarely presents a perfect time or optimal conditions; more likely life will throw you curve balls and knock you down.
Fleet Feet peep, Lynne Tapper, can attest to this. A few years ago she confided in me her long-time dream to open a Float Center but she was fearful and nervous about it because there were a lot of unknowns.
I shared my story. About how I zero retail or business ownership experience. But also, about how I had a deep-rooted desire to help to make people’s lives better and healthier through exercise. I told her that the safest investment you can make is in yoursel and encouraged her to start taking baby steps towards making her dream a reality.
Lynne encountered hurdles, but along the way she met Michele Beaule, who was just as passionate about creating a place that soothes the body and soul, as well as helps athletes and fitness enthusiasts recover faster. On May 29, they opened Imagine Float, a beautiful boutique float and wellness center in Avon featuring three float rooms, full-body cryotherapy, compression therapy and an infrared sauna.
After an afternoon of floating and compression therapy, Lynne remarked that I was glowing. I told her that it was a combination of being completely relaxed and utterly proud of her. She made her dream reality. A heavenly reality at that!
Resolve to not let fear get in the way of your dreams. Believe in yourself and set yourself free. Your Maverick awaits!
