5 Valuable Reminders To Unleash Your Inner Champion

I crashed a swim 🏊🏻‍♂️ race!

I am home in Maui HI again after being in Los Angeles CA for two whole months. I did not spend much time on the beach as the beaches were so crowded and it didn't feel chill at all. It was hard to park and there was trash everywhere. It was not a very relaxing environment to be in. But I did go paddle boarding with friends and that was wonderful. And… I crashed a swim race!

I learned about the event the day prior and decided on a whim to participate. The registration was closed, but I figured they wouldn't notice if I just jumped in the ocean with the participating females. It was exciting to see everyone getting ready for it. And even though I felt totally unprepared for a two mile swim because I didn't do any swim training this year- It did feel like a fun adventure.

The very start of the swim makes your heart race. While you're running into the water, you have to anticipate the waves and dive deep to get under the force of the waves, otherwise you get pushed back to shore again. Everyone is swimming really close to each other, and you may get kicked or hit accidentally. When you gain some more space it’s all about finding your rhythm and focus on breathing. And trying to be really present, and of course enjoy the journey.

My wetsuit felt very uncomfortable. It was so tight around my neck. I tried unzipping it a little, but the Velcro was catching my hair every time I turned my head to breathe. It was so awful! After 30 minutes, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do the entire swim, I felt suffocated. I stopped and unzipped the wetsuit and moved it off my shoulders to my waist and let it just hang there. Not great for aerodynamics or should I say water dynamics :) But hey, who cares? It felt great to be freed.

After swimming for about 45 minutes, the finish line (Manhattan Beach pier) seemed still really far away, but I didn't look back at the pier where we started. (Hermosa Beach pier) I just kept focusing on smaller goals. And I kept saying in my head, “I'm getting closer, just keep going”- even when I couldn't see much progress. I also reminded myself that there was no pressure to perform and that there are no expectations other than getting to the finish line.

After an hour, my arms were starting to get tired and I was alternating a lot between breaststroke and freestyle. I ended up swimming for another half an hour. My arms where about to fall off, but my legs were fine; I ran out of the water and cheerfully crossed the fitness line, wehooo I did it!! The people in charge of collecting the ankle bracelets (that records the time) glanced at me passing by as I was wearing something around my ankle, but not a timer..It was actually a shark band. Does it work? I like to think so, I was in the ocean for 90 minutes and i did not get nibbled on LOL

Sports & Life Lessons

I love participating in athletic events because I always learn so many valuable lessons about life and how I behave in certain circumstances. Did you catch some in my storytelling? Let's go over them:

1. Follow your excitement and be resourceful! The registration of the race was closed but that didn’t stop me from participating. If you really want to experience or achieve something but it is not easy or straight forward you have to be resourceful. There is a way if you decide that there is. You may not know how you get to where you want to go, but you are open to figuring it out instead of shutting it down with one thought “that’s not going to happen”.

What has made you feel curious or excited recently? What would you like to experience?

2. The start feels uncomfortable. 🥴 When I first entered the ocean I felt like a sardine in a can; I’m asking myself “ why the heck am I doing this?” But when I look back that was also the part where I felt most badass.

What is it that you want to start but keep procrastinating? What adventure in life or business has been on your radar and would you like to pursue? (knowing that yes it may get uncomfortable but it will be SO worth it!)

3. Let go of what is holding you back. Unzipping my wetsuit and moving it down to my waste 30 min. into my swim was a smart move. I was so uncomfortable, I felt suffocated and may not have been able to finish the race if I hadn’t removed it.

Are certain people in your life weighing you down. Do you self sabotage? Or are you letting insecurities run the show? What is holding you back from experiencing and achieving what you desire and what can you let go off?

4. Don't look back.👀 Just keep focusing on what's in front of you and stay the course. Good things take time. Do you remember when I was 45 minutes in? I felt like I was making little progress and the finish line seemed so far away, I kept telling myself that I was making progress, even though it didn't feel like it. But I was moving and I was going in the right direction :)

Be assured that with the right action steps, persistence and consistency. You will get to where you want to go.

5. Celebrate your wins. 🎉 Every time you accomplish something big or small, take a moment to acknowledge and yes celebrate! By doing as you say, by showing up for yourself and for others, you build confidence. Every time you accomplish something, you can pat yourself on the back and say, “Well done you!” And in the moment when you're celebrating it is very likely that you are already looking for your next adventure and goals to crush. What's next?

Take your time to really just sit with these questions and have an inner dialogue with yourself. And as always; I love hearing from you 💜. DM me @_ModelsDoEat.