Snowshoe, West Virginia
In March 2010, I had the opportunity to spend 5 days at Snowshoe, West Virginia. I must admit that I was a little nervous. Snowshoe is a ski resort and I haven’t skied in over 10 years, so the thought of breaking something in my body was VERY real to me! I was particularly anxious because I had several fitness classes to teach upon my return to Pittsburgh. Yet, I decided to take the plunge, abandon some of my fears and JUST DO IT! AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT I DID!
Danger!
If you haven’t skied in some time or at all, I HIGHLY recommend a ski lesson. I had one. Every ski resort has a ski school filled with highly knowledgable and certified ski instructors. Taking a lesson not only helps you, but it also helps keep your fellow skiers safe and ensures everyone has a much more enjoyable time on the slopes.
My ski instructor, T, at Snowshoe was great. . . Hands down. . .she made my trip for me. . .without her skiing would have been painful, frustrating, and scary!
On a flat hill she taught me some of the basics of skiing – how to position my skis, how to stand properly and how to make those all too important turns. Then, we were off! AHHHHHHHHHHHH! We started on a green slope (the easiest slopes), but to my mind I might as well have been back country skiing in Utah.
Ski Slope
I was SCARED! T, however, understood and respected my fear. She understood that skiing is as much mental as it is physical. She coaxed me slowly and patiently into going for it! After awhile she had me fall on purpose, so that I could get that experience over with and out of my system! Slowly, inch by inch, then foot by foot, then yard by yard, I SKIED down my first slope in over a decade. My confidence increased by leaps and bounds.
I did it
Each run T and I did together just served to strengthen my new sense of confidence. T kept encouraging me to challenge myself, push myself, and let go of my fear. By the end of our day together, I had skied a couple dozen greens and by the end of my second day I had skied a couple blues (intermediate slopes) as well. Thanks so much to T for her time and patience.
To all of you reading this article , I challenge you to try something that makes you uncomfortable and scared. I guarantee you will surprise yourself if you stick with it and your confidence will definitely IMPROVE!
Dear Jackie-
You´re absolutely right. We all have to challenge ouselves and leave our zone of comfort. That´s something that makes us grow as individuals regardless of our field in the industry. Personal challenges are like sissors trimming the useless weeds within us. It´s for us to look for those challenges and accept them. Not even waiting for them to arrive thoughtlessly but we taking the first step in that pursuit.
This post of yours left me something very positive for todays tasks in my life.
Blessings and Kisses,
Jamie Velasco
@EMPOWERurPOWER (Twitter)
Very inspirational indeed.
All the best. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures in skiing this winter!