Before and After - a Lesson in practicing what I preach!
How mindfulness work and being present can take you from a fairly dramatic “before” photo, to an incredibly happy “after” photo!
If you want to know why being present and focused is important, here is the honest truth; This ugly crash photo is now 6 years old. I crashed off my horse at a Show Jumping competition and spent a week in hospital because I was not consciously present. I wasn’t making deliberate and conscious decisions. I was relying on muscle memory (within my brain and body) to keep me safe and get me through life in one piece. I wasn’t correcting myself, pivoting when adjustments were required.
For me this wasn’t just on a Showjumping course, this was my life. On overdrive. Work life, being a mum, an athlete, a wife, and all of life’s other commitments and expectations.
I had to change me. My internal wiring. My regulation methods. So, using my background in consulting and coaching, I developed my own system and methods that I now share that with individuals, groups, teams, athletes, parents, and couples. A method that can be used in real life situations, stresses, workplaces, and interactions with others.
On this weekend just gone, I had the opportunity to practice what I preach at a high, fast-paced level back at a local Show Jumping competition. Looking at my jump off times, (8 jumps in 26 seconds), there is a lot going on in a short amount of time. Not only navigating 600kgs of horse around the course, but also maintaining my position, the horse’s rhythm, speed, balance, accuracy to avoid knocking down fences. And of course, being mindful of both our regulation thresholds and staying within that zone so we both stayed connected and present. It Paid Off. We won both our classes and took away the overall champion prize for our level.
If you have a goal in mind (and it doesn’t’ need to relate to horses!) or are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed in any element of your life, please connect. The first call is always free.
Look forward to connecting soon
Erin