Thank You Anonymous

Human connection is so amazing. You can receive a gift in a smile or a conversation. And that connection can change your whole day. I received such a day-changing experience last week.

I received a package…with a wonderful note. The note reads,

Will, thanks for sharing your travel experiences and your personal lessons learned while away on your quest. You have inspired me to continue to chase my dreams and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Wear this knowing you have passed it forward!

Along with the note, I received a customized cap with the words “I Gave Way Mate!” on the front and my name, date and “New Zealand Ironman” on the back. (They had obviously listened to my audio interview about my trip’s experience that I did with Laura – the link to that audio is on my May 21 post below.) Wow…what a way to make my day!

Yet, the card wasn’t signed and the package was sent directly from the company that customized the cap. Of course, I immediately contacted the company to see if I could get the name of  the person who sent the gift, so I could properly thank them. But to no avail.

So it is with sincerest appreciation that I express my gratitude. I will wear my new cap with pride.

Quote for the Day…

“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”

Interview With An Ironman – Link To Audio

My business partner, Laura Posey, interviewed me to find out why I’ve had a big smile on my face ever since I returned from New Zealand. Want to learn what I discovered from my Ironman experience? Or want to hear about my insights and transformation from a two+ month sabatical? The highlights are in this 58 minute audio recording.

http://www.byoaudio.com/play/Wygw7T4s

Pics From NZ – Link To My Flickr Profile

The water is still as the sun rises over Doubtful Sound, located in the fiordlands of New Zealand's South Island. To see more pics of NZ, click the link on this post.

My 2,000 plus pics from my New Zealand adventure are posted on flickr. To see the thumbnails by location and scan through the pics quickly, click “Sets” under “Your Photostream.”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironmannz09/

After My Workout Last Night…

I was leaving the gym, after an arm (tri and bi) workout, and it hit me as I was crossing through the parking lot headed to my car - “NO MORE GOING THRU THE MOTIONS.”

Have you been to a gym lately? If you’re a regular, I’m sure you see what I see. The same people coming every day and never looking any different. That’s ok for the fit gym rats that we all envy. But what about the folks that look like they could lose an extra 40 or 50 pounds and have looked that way for years, despite their habit of 3, 4, or 5 workouts a week in the gym? Apparently, it’s not good enough to just show up!

I realize that I am guilty of some of the same habits as some of my heavier brethren. Sometimes, I go to the gym and just do a workout. I put it in auto-pilot and just cruise through the sets that I need to complete for the session. And when it’s all ’said and done’ I might feel good that I did a workout, but I haven’t done anything to make any real progress. I was simply going through the motions.

My best friend, Jerry, is my age. Actually, he’s a year older at 52. He’s been active his whole life and is in better shape than most 25 year-olds. While I was in New Zealand for the past couple of months, he hired a personal trainer at the gym. He already looked great; but he decided to take it up a notch. The results are pretty amazing. He’s added more muscle and looks stronger and leaner than ever.

He recently showed me some of the exercises his coach was making him do; and I thought to myself, “I’ll be able to do these with no problem; I’m super-fit – I’m an Ironman for gosh sakes.” Let’s just say, I was humbled. I couldn’t complete a single set; and I wasn’t even close.

So last night as I walked out of the gym, I vowed to myself, “No more going thru the motions.” If I’m going to do something, I need to give it all I’ve got. Or I simply will choose not to do it at all.

And that doesn’t just apply to workouts. But to work and play. And to relationships and life. It fits in with my new focus on BALANCE. If I can really FOCUS on the task at hand. I can see better results faster. Which, in turn, gives me more time to do the things that are important to me.

68 Days…The Sabatical Is Ending

I’ve been gone for 68 days and I’m sitting in JFK Airport in NYC waiting for my delayed flight…the final leg of my across-the-world, tranformational trip of a lifetime (actually just the FIRST trip of a lifetime…with many more to follow).

I’m not sure where to begin…I went on a journey half-way around the world to complete an Ironman. In the process, I discovered myself. And I discovered the man that I want to become. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.

The biggest “ah-ha” was that I’ve lead a life that has fed my “ego” and what I thought others expected of me. Don’t get me wrong: I have enjoyed my life. But I expect the second half to be so much richer for this experience.

Because instead of feeding my ego, I’m much more interested in feeding my soul. Instead of living up to other’s expectations, I much more interested in deconstructing my own “labels” and actions to find the things that will allow me to embrace each and every joyous moment. I suspect that I will find new ways to make a positive difference because I’m blessed enough to have the opportunity to live a life that can enrich me…while enriching others.

Don’t even get me started on how to be a better steward of our planet. There is so much work we can all do and I’m so much more aware of how my simple actions can make a big diffference.

I also find myself being much more laid back – there is something to be said for the “no worries attitude” of the Kiwis –  while less tolerant of people who don’t have  and spread positive energy.

Listen to me, will ya? Positive energy…I wouldn’t have even talked about energy before my trip…unless it was about the power company. But my mind has been expanded to ideas and information that is new to me.

Actually, the world is all about energy. All we are is energy. And my energy is looking for like-minded energy to keep my currents sparking. I’d love to share all that I know, but it’s kind of like the new kid in town giving directions. I have so much to learn, but I’m excited about the journey.

Blah…Blah…Blah…Or Is That Yak…Yak…Yak?

A yak in Deer Park in Queenstown, NZ. James, my new British mate, spent the morning hanging out with the animals. This guy wasn't amused!

I feel like I could write forever and still have trouble expressing the sheer enormity of my New Zealand adventure. There is no doubt that I will never be the same again. This trip has been transformative to say the least.

So hear are 5 things I’ve discovered:

1. Longer vacations. Americans could learn a thing or two from the rest of the world when it comes to “holidays” or vacations. I’m traveling for two months and that is short in comparison to many of the people I’ve met on my journey (even though it is a sheer luxury by US standards).

2. I need to losen up… Well, in general, I think it’s another American thing. Kiwis walk into restaurants barefoot, park in each other’s yards and invite complete strangers to stay in their spare bedroom for the night. They are laid back and friendly and obviously don’t understand the social protocols and status traps that are ingrained in us.

3. Who needs TV? I have to admit that I’ve had my share of time in front of the tube watching one mind-numbing reality show after another. In New Zealand, I have not watched any TV (including the news) and life still goes on. Now, I’m just more engaged in it. Anyone for a bungy? (Come on James, you can do it mate!) 

4. 90% of work is CRAP (well, on a good day, it may be only 80%). Now, don’t get me wrong. I love what I do and you may too. And I think it’s important to make a difference. But the e-mails and stuff that drown us each day is “rubbish” as the Kiwis would say. Focus on the work that matters and unshackle yourself from the stuff that has no value. Don’t be a slave to doing the unimportant or trivial. And when you get done with the stuff that does matter…go enjoy life!

5. Don’t settle. The whole purpose of my Ironman adventure and NZ holiday was to push myself out of my comfort zone and see the world (and myself) from a whole new perspective. I didn’t want to be another middle-aged man (yes, I’m going  to live to be 102), who sat on the couch and wondered, “What if…” Life is way too short and wonderful to miss the opportunities or to get stuck in the land of status quo. I don’t know about you, but I want to grab the gusto while I still can.

Yeehaaaa!!!!!

OMG…sometimes you just have to face your fears or shake yourself from your safe and secure hangout  in “comfort zone” land. Well, today was that kind of day for me.

I did the Nevis…New Zealand’s biggest bungy jump. Standing on a platform and looking down to the canyon floor is enough to bring the heartiest adrenaline junkees to their knees.

My  right leg was doing an uncontrollable wobble/shake riding the gondola car across the canyon to the jumping platform – a small room suspended by massive cables between two high mountain peaks.

As I was getting harnessed in, I asked Gael, a Scottish worker if he had much experience. He said, “Sure mate, done the jump lots of times.” I said, “Not the jump, do you have much experience harnessing people in? “

As we were traveling to the platform, he provided some instuctions with his Scottish accent. He got to the end and said, ”Any questions?” I said, “Yea, can you repeat what you just said?”

I was on the platform with five other jumpers. We were called up by weight. I was #2. After the first guy jumped, it was time for a deep breath.

I made myself to the last staging area and proceeded for final strappings. It was now my turn to “waddle” onto the platform  – a  2 foot extension that separates you from your fate.

I grabbed the side of the platform, looked down. “Oh shit,” sprang from my lips involuntarily. Gael gave me a few final instructions.  Look out (not down – oops too late Gael.) Push off from the platform (a dive) and go on…5…4…3…3…1…

And I was airborn…screaming with the wind rushing by me and the canyon floor rising (so it appeared) to greet me as I plummeted head first into the abyss.

Yeehhahhhh!!! Yeaaaaa! I screamed pure joy and panic. It was exhilirating and scary. It was a rush.

Simply unbelievable…

The beginning of my 134 meter descent into the Nevis, New Zealand's largest and scariest bungy jump!

Kaikoura, New Zealand

The water is breathtaking, a brilliant shade of blue lapping the shores just north of Kaikoura, New Zealand.

Surprise…Seals near Kaikoura, New Zealand

I stopped along the roadside to take pics of the ocean crashing into the beautiful rocks spreading from the shoreline. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I was only meters (yes, only American measure in yards) away from a colony of seals sunning themselves.