So.. a few months ago the Marine recruiter comes to talk to my juniors and seniors. It is always a good talk and frankly it gives me a little break in the classroom. The Sargent finished his talk and was heading outside when his partner stopped to talk to me and asked if I would be interested in attending an educators workshop that the Marine corps host. I was like “sure”, send me the paperwork. A little time passes by and low and behold I get the paperwork, fill it out, and turn it in. I was thinking this would be a bit of education, a little vacation, and an experience to bring back to the classroom. I knew that our guidance counselor attended several years ago so I sashayed down to her office to get the scoop. Her husband had told me that she loved the experience and she said the same thing. I was stoked until I started thinking about getting yelled at like a cadet, serious pt, and no safety net so to speak. I admit that I had a gut check moment. I wondered if at my age (54) if I could do this, if I had bitten off more than I could chew, and maybe I should just stick to Planet Fitness. But I am, if nothing else, stubborn and not a quitter. So I pushed my fears aside and hit the gym even harder. This is personal for me.

A few years ago I started getting into fitness. I was no longer focused on getting skinny but getting healthy. I have a best friend who agreed to train me. That was one of the best decisions that I ever made. In the 3 years since I started, I have come to love the feeling of a good workout, seeing the results, and the overall mental and mood improvement that I get from a visit to my happy place (Planet Fitness). At 54 this is my challenge to see if I can do this but it is maybe a little more.

I need to step out of my comfort zone and push my limits. I tell my students that nothing grows in your comfort zone, certainly not yourself. And fear, well, everything you want is on the other side of fear. Sometimes you have to push that wall down and go for it. If you never challenge yourself and your limits, how will you ever know what you are capable of doing. It is easy to sit back and say you can do something but how do you know until you step up and try. This is me; stepping up, facing my gut check moment, and pushing my limits.

For me, as well, I need my students, especially the young ladies that I teach, to know that women are capable of doing so much more than they think. We need to empower each other and encourage each other.

Finally, I need to do this for me. I have worked hard the last few years to get healthy for myself and for my family. Now it is time to see how far I have come.

As I sit in the Atlanta airport waiting to board the next flight, I know I am getting closer to this adventure. I am way out of my comfort zone and I know that fear is not going to stop me.

Let the adventure begin….