Easy to say when I’m standing firmly on the ground. More difficult when I am on the edge, facing an abyss. But what I’ve found over the years, is that if I keep making those leaps, I’ll either reach my goal, the net will appear or I’ll get in some good practice falling. All are good outcomes. Each makes it easier for me to take the next leap, though I must admit that making my goals is way more fun than nursing my bruises.
So tell us about the last time you took a big leap? Did that net appear? Write about it in the comments section. Can’t wait to hear your stories!
Missy Park, Founder
Some may call it a “mid-life crisis,” but I prefer to see it as a “mid-life solution” … as a birthday gift to myself when I recently turned 44 years old, I made a solemn vow to be faithful to myself — to live my truth — for the 2nd half of my life (or whatever is left of it). So … I resigned from my “secure” (a.k.a., meaningless, but full-benefits, steady/generous paycheck, etc.) job, am preparing to put my downtown home on the market, and am gearing up to live a “life in the woods” (as Henry David Thoreau once said). Background: after spending the happiest 5 years of my life (so far) living quietly, simply and actively in Vermont, the economy took a turn for the worse and fear reared its ugly head, telling me to buy into mainstream society’s message that I “should” focus more on my career, find a more steady job, and be more professionally ambitious. I abandoned the “simple life” and trudged off to the city, only to discover that being cut off from nature is not a sustainable way for me to live — physically, emotionally or spiritually. Thus, my decision to take a leap … to get rid of many of my material possessions, pack up what few remain, and head with my dog to the mountains of West Virginia, where I plan to build a rustic barn-type structure with a loft living space and plenty of room for my toys — bike, kayak, snowshoes, cross country skis. Somewhere along the way, I’ll figure out how to make a living doing something that doesn’t prevent me from living … truly living. Wish me luck … and good luck to all of you who are also taking a leap and many thanks for the inspiration!!!
Well I guess I found the right spot to pour a little of me out to you. When I saw your comment and invitation on the inside of the latest catalog I had to write in. My name is Leslie M Pechta, I am 26 years old, I live and am very active in Leadville, CO. I recently, July 4th, opened a thrift and consignment shop, clothing and sporting goods, in downtown Leadville. This being my leap I am beginning to realize that the net is and has continued to be there. Its so far has really been a wonderful learning experience and is paying off tremendously. The name of the shop is “Community Threads” and the point of the shop to me, other then supporting my life, is to give back to my community in many different ways. Last month we had a yard sale to benefit our local animal shelter and this winter we will be doing ski waxes the benefit our local trail “The Mineral Belt”. This leap has been the best thing I have done for myself and my community, the results have been rewarding in so many ways. I feel better even have shared it with so many people including the title 9 crew. You guys are inspiring in so many ways as well. Next leap may be finding out how to become a title nine model straight from the mtns…
Thanks for letting me share, Leslie M Pechta
My Leap – SPairz. And technically, I’m in mid-flight right now.
In March I had my fill of my lame job at a lame company in a lame city. I could not even get motivated to look for a new job in the computer industry where I’ve spent the last 30+ years. So my best friend and I went to New Zealand for 3 weeks where we worked on a business plan for SPairz – compressed and shrink-wrapped cotton underwear for women. They’re about the size of a package of gum.
The idea had been percolating for about 5 years after a girls night out when we all realized that having a spare pair of underwear nearby was beginning to make a lot of sense. By the second bottle of wine, we had them compressed and shrink wrapped. The idea seemed completely doable.
So in April – I jumped! SPairz was off and running. Finding packaging, manufacturing, learning all about the apparel industry, UPC codes, trademarks – egads!. As of today, I’m about a month from production. I’ve learned that design & testing is not a linear process and that I need to stay true to my original concept and focus. It’s been fun watching the light bulbs go off when I describe SPairz to women, and really amusing to describe it to men. It’s been exciting and scary to risk it all.
I’ll know if the net is there if Title Nine agrees to stock SPairz! They are oh-so-perfect for your gym bag, and no one does gym bags better than Title Nine!
Cheryl Foster
http://www.spairz.com
My husband and I (and our two young boys) moved out to an area a little bit north of our prominent, Gulf of Mexico town of Destin, Florida. I have been an animal lover all of my life and I found out that our county, and several surrounding counties, were without an animal shelter of any kind. Tens of thousands of perfectly adoptable pets were being euthanized because there was not anyone to be their voice. I took a HUGE leap of faith and started a no-kill shelter on 10 acres of land across from my home. That was just 2 1/2 years ago, 3700 animals later and lots of tears and joy. I had no idea if the community would be behind me or if I would succeed. The funny thing is that there truly is a higher power guiding your leap, and when you are doing something to better the world… you always land safely!
I started teaching about 12 years ago, and about 5 years into it decided to get my teaching credential. I enrolled at a private university (read: $$$$$). As the second of three semesters ended, I was laid off from my teaching job. There I was, 2/3 of the way through a very expensive credential program, and now unemployed. The final semester consisted of “student teaching” — only I had already been teaching for 5 years!
I decided to take a leap and see if I could make this work to my advantage. I asked several teachers in one of the other departments at the school if I could student teach for them. Rather than being humiliating, it was a GREAT experience, and ultimately, I got my credential in this second subject area as well. At the end of it all, I got my dream job, teaching at my alma mater. So I would definitely say that the net DID appear.
I am about to make that leap …
I am a single Mom of 3 beautiful, smart, loving children – ages 10, 9, & 7. I found out a week ago I my job of 4 years is being eliminated beginning 10/1/09. I am terrified, and excited at the same time. I don’t have any idea how I will make the monthly payments, but I believe strongly that I will end up better off financialy and more fulfilled than I have been. I will make this leap, for myself and my children.
I’ll keep you posted! Something wonderful is going to happen ….
My big leap is in motion. I feel for us leapers…there is always something in motion. That’s what fuels us to keep leaping.
I am in the process of trademarking an idea. I have the logo and challenge statements. The next leap will be designing the clothing for what I call “life’s everyday adventures”.
This leap is totally out of my comfort zone. I am a veterinary technician for the past 20 years, but I could not resist taking this leap. I know I have an idea that will motivate people and/or feed the inspiration of the already motivated. I believe what I envision is something that you would appreciate.
Hoping the net will appear!!!
Won’t know unless I leap!!!
Thank you, Wendy Jochems
It’s not a sports-related tale, but I left home for grad school with no idea where my education would take me, how I’d pay for it, or if I’d ever get a real job (viva liberal arts). Two days after arriving in a strange new city I was hired for a job that paid my tuition – I had never dreamed of such good fortune. I learned that’s the definition of fortune – you have to take a risk in order for it to have a chance to show up.
Dear Missy,
Your writing in the most recent Title Nine catalog definitely had a special meaning to me. I am a 41 year old family nurse practitioner who practiced for 10 years and decided to return to school for a PhD in 2004. I resigned from my job, rented my condo, left my “then” boyfriend and friends and moved from Viriginia Beach to Waco, Texas to start my program. At the end of a painful four year “growth” phase, I graduated with a PhD in Exercise, Nutrition and Preventive Health in the fall of 2008. I am now in my final year as post doctoral fellow. I am working at an Institute in Dallas, Texas that specializes in clinical exercise research (my dream!). It has been a difficult yet incredible journey. I leveraged myself financially and emotionally to achieve a lifelong dream of obtaining a PhD. I sacrificed my romantic life and perhaps my chance at a family. My age and the timing of my return to school may prove to have come at a pretty high price, only time will tell on that. I do not regret my decision but it was by far the biggest leap I have taken in my life journey. Thank you for writing about taking risk. I am particularly fond of your word choice substituting “good practice falling” versus failure. Thanks again for your inspirational comments!!
Yours in fitness,
Melyn
I’ve been a homeschool Mom for 10 years, my son graduated and I found myself at the age of 47 wondering: “What now?” I always worked out at the gym to stay in shape and while watching all the Personal Trainers walk by me every day, it hit me that I should be a Trainer. I took the Personal Trainer class at Indiana Univ. and with the encouragement of my professor, took the certifying exam and passed. I then decided to start my own business as a Trainer who worked with “older” clients, something that most Trainers don’t do. I wondered: “Could I be successful as a Trainer working with Seniors?” “Is there really a market for this?” “Can my business be in the black during a recession?” The net was cast, I found support from family and friends and yes, I can say, even during a recession, my company, Starr Fitness, LLC is in the black and doing well. A sidebar from my story is that I didn’t realize it, but many of my friends were quietly watching from the sidelines observing how I changed my life in one year. They told me, that they too want to do something after their kids left the nest and they were happy to see that it can be done. Ironically, my Dad made safety and industrial nets for a living. These nets were strung around buildings and bridges being built to catch people and debris. I try to help my clients, like my Dad helped construction workers, one day at a time!