I’m so excited that the winners of the Tough Mudder Maddness giveway I hosted were willing to guest post and introduce themselves on the blog. Inspiring folks was a big reason I held the contest, and I have no doubt these women will do just that with their stories.
I’ve asked them to write a bit about themselves and to ask me any questions they had about the Mudder. Here’s what Megan sent me last week.
That is me in the gym at the beginning of the February!
I am 30 years old and live in Indiana in the same town where I was born and raised. I am married (for 8 years) to my high school sweetheart, Gabe. We have two amazing kidfaces, Cora and Emmett. I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Psychology but right now I am working as an Administrative Assistant.
I’ve been overweight since about the 4th grade. So really, it just feels like the person that I have always been. In a random moment in 2007 I stopped at the local gym to become a member. Because I can’t tell people no, they talked me in to a personal trainer. I dropped 60 pounds, gained muscle definition and a confidence that I can’t describe.
After having the kids and dealing with anxiety and depression I let myself get back up to about 260 pounds. I was miserable and unhappy. I acknowledged that I needed help to get my life back together and I put myself in therapy. I’ve been working with a therapist for about a year and my mind is in a much better place than it was before. So now, I’m ready to work on myself physically.
In another random moment, I entered to win this opportunity with Roni. I never had any confidence that I would actually end up teaming up with her to run a Tough Mudder. I’m am both excited and terrified.
This isn’t going to be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. I weighed in at 229.0 this morning. That is the lowest that I have been since bringing the kids home from the hospital. I’m building my support system of family and friends as well as some professionals at the local gym. There are still moments every day where a little voice in the back of my head tells me that I must be insane….that there is no way that I will ever complete this task….that I might as well go back to being miserable because it is so much easier…
I refuse to listen! Not this time.
Things I need to know from Roni!!
What do you tell yourself in those moments where something seems impossible?
When things seem impossible it’s because I’m thinking of the end goal instead of the small steps I need to take to achieve it. Ask me 10 years ago if I thought having 2 kids, working for myself, maintaining a healthy weight, and living in this neighborhood was possible and I would said you were crazy! 6 years ago I didn’t think I could run. Now I have a marathon under my belt. Geesh, 2 years ago I would have thought a Tough Mudder was something just for military muscle men. Now I’ve completed 3 and have 6 more scheduled this year!
I’ve learned since starting this blog that it comes down to the daily choice, the little baby steps that in the moment seem insignificant but over time add up to equal BIG changes.
Now, I can tell you when a Tough Mudder obstacle seems impossible I remind myself that THIS is why I’m here –to push myself out of my comfort zone– so I take a deep breath and give it all I have (sometimes screaming and cursing as I go.) I don’t always succeed in completing it (I have fallen off quite a few obstacle) but I tried and that is the first step of making the impossible possible.
How bad is the electric shock really?
Honestly, it SUCKS! Big time! But when you get out of the obstacle you feel like you can take on the world!
What were you most afraid of for your first Tough Mudder?
I think I was most afraid of simply not being able to do it. I had no idea what to expect so there was the fear of the unknown. What if I couldn’t’ make it up the wall? What it I hurt myself? What if….?
What were you most excited about for your first?
That I did it! I remember thinking, “Holy crap I did it. I REALLY did it!” Then I realized I didn’t care about the dirt or the mud or how I looked or how tired I was. I was so lost in the moment, actually in the whole event! My confidence was over the roof. I felt like I really could accomplish anything I set my mind to.
How do you think running the Tough Mudder with all of us will be different for you?
This is a GREAT question and one I pondered as I still feel like a rookie. I feel like I’m the one holding people back. I’m the one who needs to be helped. I have big issues being in the more experienced roll and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to do this. It’s another way for me to put myself out of my comfort zone. As cheesy or egotistical this may sound, it’s time for me to lead instead of follow. I’m looking forward to the experience, but it also scares the crap out of me at the same time.
What is the one thing that you would tell all of us as we prepare for this challenge?
Have confidence and don’t second guess your “right” to be in this event. I felt like (and sometimes still do) I’m not worthy to participate. Things like this are reserved for the super fit. The athletes. The perfect people of the world who never struggled with eating disorders or body image issues.
The truth is, this event was made for us. The folks that have something to prove to themselves. The ones that need a little external nudge to get them to realize they are deserving and capable and worthy of living the life they want.
Bottom line: Don’t hold yourself back!
Stop back tomorrow to meet our second Kentucky Team Member, Ann!
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