Comfort zone? No thanks.
Why spending time outside my comfort zone is my preferred way to live.
Having spent 10 years of my life competing for Great Britain on the biggest stages in track and field, retirement could’ve been a nice and comfortable way of life. But that is just not my style. I am ambitious, I love a challenge, I love to see growth and I refuse to stand still in life.
Coaching has provided me with so many personal challenges, not to mention the challenges I help the athletes I coach battle day to day. These challenges stretch beyond the work on the track.
In November, I spent a few weekends travelling to Europe and delivering at a couple of track and field conferences. I am always a little shocked when I am asked to do things like this, my bubbling imposter syndrome coming to the fore. I chose the topics I was going to present on (a practical and theory session at each conference) and set about planning my sessions. When I plan these presentations I always ask myself “what would I want to hear”? I try and keep in the back of my mind that I want everyone to take away at least one thing from my sessions.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience of presenting my ideas, connecting with people from different areas of expertise and different countries. Reflecting that my imposter syndrome is healthy; keeping me honest and reminding me that I do not know everything. Presenting the training approaches I use consolidates my “why” and opens the floor to other coaches and professionals to ask questions and make alternative suggestions.
If you follow me on social media (or know me at all) you will know I am a competitive weightlifter. I chose weightlifting as one of my hobbies out of retirement; challenging myself to learn a new skill and then throw myself into a competition in a completely different environment than I am used too. There is a part of me that loves being up on the stage with everyone watching me take my lifts, there’s also my ego which struggles with how much I lift (or don’t lift more to the point).
The point is, I have chosen to put myself out there; uncomfortable yes, enjoyable HELL YES!