New Adventures

I am one of the lucky ones.  I escaped addiction.  In March of 2012, I hung up my frosty beer mug for good. In doing so, I closed the book on a 25+ year journey of covering up all the emotions, losses, and painful aspects of life; and in turn, built a brand new path toward the unknown.

The unknown has had its share of pain, a tremendous amount of learning, and some speed bumps that could drop the transmission out of a small car.  But I have taken every step and, at times, hung on for dear life.  With the help of a wonderful support crew, my windy and bumpy path has been lighted with purpose and evolved into a much more manageable road.  Every day is a new adventure and I truly look forward to waking up, watching the sun rise, and tackling every thing that comes my way.

I have also found a passion, the same one that began to fade just prior to the 2009 CrossFit Games.  My passion was renewed in October of 2012 when I met a trainer that has lived the positive and negative of life and sports...and embraced it all.  It is a lifestyle that I once could not begin to comprehend.  It began with the "simple" goal of lifting heavy, and by March of 2013, turned toward becoming the best lifter and strongwoman I could possibly be.  Yes, it can be considered a hobby, but to me, it is much more.  Lifting has become a part of my life that has provided purpose, goals, job opportunities, and numerous friendships.

During the summer of 2013, I went way out of my comfort zone by traveling to California to compete in a strongwoman contest.  Although I was disappointed with my performance, I came away with a bigger understanding of myself than I could ever imagine.  I also met people that shared my passion.  One of those friendships has led me to a competition in south central Washington.  My roomate in California was such a warm, caring, and all around wonderful person, that I did not hesitate to book my flight to the north in the dead of winter.  And I am not a fan of freezing temperatures.  The competition itself includes events that are heavy, and for the most part, completely out of my wheel house.  So why am I going?  To reconnect with a family of strongwomen that have positively impacted my life, and to meet the rest of the women that make up this one of a kind group.  Don't get me wrong, I am not traveling that far to lose.  But in the midst of competition, there is something greater to embrace.  If by chance I do get my ass handed to me, then I know I will be returning home with new life experiences and a larger strongman/woman family.  And I am sure new event techniques to work on and strategies to contemplate.

With that being said, I have about four loads of laundry to finish and a bag to pack.  I plan to post a competition recap when I return...provided my warm weather ass doesn't freeze to death. :D